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Community coalition urges state funding for benefit assisters to help Vermonters keep SNAP and Medicaid
Summary
Advocates from a coalition of community service organizations asked the committee to fund benefit assisters—staff at trusted local organizations who help people enroll and stay enrolled in SNAP (3Squares Vermont) and Medicaid—citing recent federal changes and emergency response experience as reasons to expand capacity statewide.
Community advocates told the committee that investing in a network of paid "benefit assisters" at community service providers would help eligible Vermonters retain SNAP (3Squares Vermont) and Medicaid benefits and keep federal dollars flowing to local grocers and health providers.
Amy Scholenberger introduced the proposal as a coalition‑built budget request developed with about 16–20 organizations; she said the group assembled budgets, commitments to check clients' program eligibility and plans for training and language access support. "All of the organizations who have a funding request in this…
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