Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Benefit Assistors And 2 1 1 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coalition asks $4.95M to fund benefit assistors statewide; Vermont 2-1-1 seeks level funding amid demand spikes
Summary
A coalition of community organizations requested $4.95 million to staff and support benefit assistors who will help Vermonters keep SNAP and Medicaid coverage; Vermont 2-1-1 separately asked to be level-funded at $1.6 million after a proposed $332,000 reduction, emphasizing peak demand hours and outdated database systems.
Amy Schallenberger of Action Circles presented a coalition proposal asking for $4,950,000 to support benefit assistors embedded at community providers across Vermont. "I'm here to ask you to support, a proposal... for $4,950,000 to support benefit assistors at community providers throughout the state," Schallenberger said. The proposal would fund at least 74 FTEs and pay for training, laptops, referral coordination with 2-1-1 and language-access services, and additional match funding to preserve federal SNAP outreach draws.
Schallenberger described partnerships for training and technical support: DIVA (Medicaid assisters), Hunger Free Vermont (SNAP assisters), Vermont Language Justice Project, and 2-1-1 for referrals. The request includes approximately $477,000 to cover increased match requirements for SNAP outreach partners. She said the funding would prevent eligible Vermonters from losing benefits due to confusing letters, paperwork burdens, and process changes.
Connie Beal (Working Bridges) illustrated employer-based assistance, citing that 66,500 Vermonters received SNAP in 2024, bringing roughly $147,000,000 in federal money into the state, and argued on-site assisters keep workers healthy and reduce employer costs. Committee members questioned whether existing trained staff (Hunger Free reported training about 800 people for SNAP assistance) and DIVA's 12 positions would be sufficient; coalition witnesses said the 800 trained covered SNAP only and that the coalition's ask targets both SNAP and Medicaid assistance and dedicated FTE capacity.
Separately, Allison Malania (United Ways of Vermont, Vermont 2-1-1) said the governor's proposed FY27 budget reduces 2-1-1 funding by $332,000 and requested level funding of $1,600,000 to maintain core operations, noting demand spikes during policy changes and the need to modernize an aging database. "The governor's proposed fiscal year 27 budget reduces Vermont 2-1-1's funding by $332,000," Malania said; she emphasized peak demand hours (roughly late afternoon to evening) and the system role in absorbing surges to prevent pressure on emergency services.
Committee members raised questions about scale and duplication with existing positions; witnesses asked the committee to consider the total risk of benefit loss for eligible Vermonters and offered follow-up details on exact program mechanics and matches. No committee votes were held during the session.
