How the Federal COVID-19 Relief Money is Helping Vermont

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, commonly known as the CARES Act, is the largest emergency relief package in American history and included a substantial amount of direct aid to states. This flexible funding was included to help individual states respond to the unique needs related to this health and economic crisis. Vermont received $1.25 billion in this state-based funding, which is in addition to the tens of millions of dollars of federal aid provided to support critical services in Vermont like health care, housing assistance, emergency preparedness, and child nutrition. This is the single largest federal grant Vermont has ever received. Since the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, the Vermont legislature worked diligently to determine how best to allocate the federal aid to address the many needs of Vermonters.

While much of the $1.25 billion is still being allocated, the Vermont Governor and Legislature have finalized several programs to help the many Vermonters who are struggling during this unprecedented time. Below, you will find information about the programs created to help small business owners, dairy farms and processors, health care providers, renters, landlords, and homeowners — along with information on how to apply. 

Know that as Congress considers additional federal relief packages, I will continue to fight for the policies and financial assistance that all Vermonters so desperately need right now. 

Support for Renters, Landlords and Homeowners:

Rental Housing Stabilization Program

Renters who have been unable to make payments during this crisis, as well as landlords who’ve been negatively impacted due to missed rental payments, can apply for financial assistance through the Rental Housing Stabilization Program. Both renters and landlords can apply to initiate the grant process. Right now the total funding available for this program is $25 million and applications are approved on a first-come-first served basis. Find information about this program on the Vermont State Housing Authority website here: https://www.vsha.org/rental-housing-stabilization-program/

• Renters: can apply here
  • For questions about the program and application process call VT Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047.
• Landlords: can apply here
  • For questions call the VT Landlords Association at 802-985-2764 or 888-569-7368.

Find eligibility information here.

COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program

Homeowners who have had trouble making their mortgage payments can apply for relief in the form of grants paid directly to their mortgage servicer. The total funding available for the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program is $5 million and applications are open now through August 31. Application determinations will be made based on need, with lower-income applicants prioritized. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will review all applications between September 1 and September 30 and will issue grants by October 2. However, the application period could be shortened if the need exceeds expectations, so homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Find information about this program on the VHFA website here: https://www.vhfa.org/map/

• To start the application process, create an account with VHFA here.
• For questions about the program contact VHFA by email at MortgageAssistance@vhfa.org or by phone at 888-714-2260.

Support for Small Business Owners and Sole Proprietors: 

Emergency Economic Recovery Grants 

Small business owners with economic losses of at least 50 percent during this crisis may be eligible for an Emergency Economic Recovery Grant. The total funding available through this program is $152 million and applications are approved on a first-come-first served basis. Non-profit arts and cultural organizations as well as outdoor recreation businesses are also eligible for this grant funding. Sole proprietors are not eligible for this grant unless they are a women- or minority-owned business, but information on the Sole Proprietor Stabilization Program for all other sole proprietors is available below. Find information about this grant program on the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) website at: https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/economic-recovery-grants

• Businesses that are primarily a Restaurant, Bar, Lodging Property, Retail, Entertainment or Recreation Operation that collect Rooms & Meals Tax or Sales & Use Tax and report to the Vermont Department of Taxes on a quarterly basis should apply for a grant with the VT Department of Taxes using the myVTax online portal here.
  • To prepare for the application, the Tax Department recommends you file all of your sales and use, and meals and rooms tax returns through the May 31, 2020 period and ensure you are in good standing with the Department. 
  • Find the Tax Department program page here and the frequently asked questions page here.
  • If you have questions contact the Department at tax.grants@vermont.gov or by phone at 802-828-6611.
• All other businesses should apply for a grant with the VT ACCD here.
  • Find the ACCD program page here and the frequently asked questions page here.
  • Find the ACCD Application Guide here.
  • If you have questions contact the Economic Recovery Grant Support Center at 802-828-1200.

Some business types should apply for assistance via grant programs administered by other state agencies. Note: each business may receive only one grant — a business cannot qualify for grants with multiple agencies.

• Agriculture producers and processors find information below about how to apply for grant funding through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
• Health care providers find information below about how to apply for grant funding through the Vermont Agency of Human Services.
• Sole proprietors find information below on how to apply for grant funding through the Sole Proprietor Stabilization Program. 
• Forestry businesses should apply for grant funding through the Vermont Departments of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The application for the Forest Economy Stabilization Program is expected to open in early August. Find information here.
• Child care providers, summer camps, and after school programs should apply for restart grant funding through the Vermont Agency of Human Services here.

Vermont Sole Proprietor Stabilization Program

Sole proprietors with no employees who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis can now apply for assistance through the Sole Proprietor Stabilization Program. Vermont received $4.7 million for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDGB) through the CARES Act. The Sole Proprietor Stabilization program is using $1.5 million of CDBG funds to provide grants of $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors through a lottery draw. The application is now open through July 31. The lottery draw to determine grant awardees will be on August 14 and grants will be issued on August 27. Find more information about this program by visiting: https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/

• To start the application process you must first register by July 27 using the pre-application portal here.
  • You will need a DUNS # to register and apply. If you do not have one, request one here.
  • Find the universal username and password to register in the portal in the Application Instructions here.
  • Once your registration is approved you will receive an email confirming that your account has been set-up and the URL to the grant application portal will be provided.
• Find a Frequently Asked Questions sheet here.
• If you are located in the following counties your grant will be administered by the Two Rivers – Ottauquechee Regional Commission and you can submit questions to CDGB-CV@trorc.org: Windsor, Orange, Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Chittenden.
• If you are located in the following counties your grant will be administered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and you can submit questions to CDGB-CV@brattleborodevelopment.com: Windham, Bennington, Rutland, Addison, Washington, and Lamoille.

Support for Dairy Farms and Processors:

COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program

Dairy farmers and processors who have experienced income loss or additional expenses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis may be eligible for financial assistance through the Agriculture Assistance Program. The VCAAP Dairy Assistance program’s total funding is $25 million and applications are approved on a first-come-first served basis now through October 1. Of the total funding, $21.2 million is available for milk producers and $3.8 million is available to dairy processors. If you are both a milk producer and processor you can submit one application as a producer and one application as a processor. Find information about this program on the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets website at: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/covid-19-information/vermont-covid-19-agriculture-assistance-program/vermont-covid-19-agriculture

• To start the application process create an account with the VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets here.
• If you’ve already created an account, log-in to complete the application here.
• To request assistance with your application from a Farm Viability Business advisor complete this intake form or call 802-828-1098.
• Find a Dairy Application Info sheet here.
• For further questions contact the Agency at 802-828-2430 and press 9, or email: agr.COVIDresponse@vermont.gov

The applications for additional grant programs for non-dairy farms and other agricultural businesses, including meat processors, fairs and farmers markets, are opening soon. Find information about all the COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance programs on the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets site here.

Farmers are the backbone of Vermont’s rural economy. I will continue to fight for the financial assistance that our struggling farmers need right now. 

Support for Health Care and Human Service Providers:

Health Care Provider Stabilization Grant Program

Health care and human service providers who have experienced income loss or additional expenses due to the COVID-19 crisis may be eligible for assistance through the Health Care Provider Stabilization Grant Program. The legislature made $275 million in funding available for this program. Applications are open now through August 15 and will be considered after the deadline and granted based on need. Many different health care providers are eligible to apply, including dentists, health centers, laboratory and imaging centers, mental health providers, substance abuse treatment providers, physical therapists, and hospice agencies. Find more information on this program on the VT Department of Health Access website at: https://dvha.vermont.gov/covid-19

• To start the application visit the online portal here.
• Find a program overview sheet here and a frequently asked questions sheet here.
• Find an Application Readiness & Documentation Upload Guide here.
• Find an Expenditures Guide here.
• For questions about the program and application submit a webform here.
• To receive program updates sign up for the listserv here.

We owe so much to our health care providers who have stepped up to protect our communities during this unprecedented time. I will continue to fight for the financial support, the personal protective equipment, and critical medical supplies that our providers need to care for people throughout this crisis.

The road to recovery will be long, but we will get through this together.

Do not hesitate to contact my office at 802-862-0697 or 1-800-339-9834, or on our website.