Department of Public Service
Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program
Department of Public Service
Eligible Vermont tenants can apply for utility bill assistance beginning in June for help with up to twelve months of past due or current bills (up to a $10,000 maximum combined total).
To participate in the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program (ERAP) in Vermont (VERAP), renters must attest that:
If you are applying JUST for utility assistance and NOT applying for rental assistance you will need to fill out the complete rental assistance application and:
The application will be available starting 6/2/21 for applicants and for utility providers.
Even if you are receiving rental assistance through VERAP or a Reach-Up program, you may still qualify to receive assistance.
If you already applied for rental assistance and were found eligible, you will also qualify for this program.
Name of the utility provider, name on the account, co-account holder, or alternate name on the account, account number (if known), amount in arrears (if known).
You can receive up to a 12-month benefit for assistance on your utilities.
The following utilities are eligible: electricity, natural gas, fuel (including natural gas, kerosene, diesel, #2 heating oil, biodiesel, propane, coal, firewood, wood pellets), trash removal, water, sewer, water & sewer combinations, compost, and recycling.
Yes, if the tenant can produce evidence of having to pay the bill or having paid the bill. The vendor will have to certify the amount, etc.
Yes, the utility assistance program can be used on past due balances and prospective payments.
This program is for primary residences only. Residential customers must attest that the grant award that they are seeking is only for financial relief related to their primary residence.
You can apply at the VERAP Applicant Portal. If you already applied for rental assistance, you will only need to fill out a supplemental application.
The program may take about 30-40 days for payment directly to suppliers. This timeline may vary based on several factors including application completion.
Applicants must certify and attest to a COVID-19–related economic hardship. Hardships include unemployment, layoff, reduced hours, health (had COVID or cared for someone with COVID), can’t work because no childcare is/was available, or school is/was closed.
Your utility vendor will be contacted 3 times over 5 days. If they do not respond or choose not to participate in the program, you will receive payment directly. You will receive a notice through your preferred contact method about what information is needed to receive payment directly.
View the video below for training on how to use the VERAP-Utility Vendor Portal
The following utilities are eligible: electric, natural gas, fuel (including kerosene, diesel, #2 heating oil, biodiesel, propane, coal, firewood, wood pellets), trash, water, sewer, and water & sewer combinations. You must file a W9 with the State of Vermont.
Yes. If you do this, the participant will receive funds directly.
The program may take up to 30 days for payment directly to providers.
No, this program is based on customers requesting assistance with their utility bills.
Yes, if the tenant can produce evidence of having to pay the bill or having paid the bill. The vendor will have to certify the amount, etc.
You can register at the VERAP Owner/Vendor Portal.
In support of the continued Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program, we would like to bring to your attention instructions on accessing the Owner Portal, completing questions, and requesting payments for your customers who have applied for Utility Assistance.
Please login to the Owner Portal located at the Owner/Vendor Portal Page
Please register:
Once logged in, go to the Unit Certifications item in the left hand navigation menu. There you will see a list of customers who have applied for the Utility Assistance program. Complete the questions for each and then enter a payment request for the total amount due in arrears since April 1, 2020. You can also request payment for a current bill which has been invoiced but is not yet overdue. Upload a copy of the invoice that documents the amount in arrears and current bill due, if applicable. Finally, complete the Certification Page and esign.
The VERAP Caseworker will review your requests and schedule payments. If you have not yet provided a W9 and Direct Deposit information at the Vermont Utility Assistance Webpage, you can also upload these forms in the portal.
Please contact the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Call Center at 833-488-3727 (833-4VT-ERAP) with any questions. The center is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday.
If you have not participated in prior emergency utility programs, you must provide your W9 and Direct Deposit information by uploading it here: W/9 Upload.
Your direct deposit form must be mailed, emailed, or faxed. The direct deposit form contains specific directions to follow to submit the form. Click Here to Download the Direct Deposit form
You may receive funds by check or ACH. You must complete an ACH form with the State of Vermont. You must complete a W9.
Once the Applicant is determined eligible, the Vendor will receive a notification to login to the Vendor portal and complete the program questions and provide the billing details. Applicants will also receive notifications when their applications have been approved to let them know that their utility supplier will begin receiving payment.
VERAP was created to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For eligible households, the program offers rental and utility assistance to help Vermonters avoid eviction or loss of utility service. ERAP was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
VERAP helps tenant households with paying rent, past-due rent balances (also known as arrears), utility and home energy costs, utility and home energy cost arrears, and other expenses related to housing. Rent expenses include rent and rent arrears. Utilities include separately billed electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal and energy costs, such as fuel oil.
Please don’t get discouraged!
If you need assistance with the application process, community partners are available to help.
Click here to find the community partner agency nearest you.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to make improvements to this program and user experience.
Monday- Friday: 8:30am-7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
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