3SquaresVT can help put healthy food on your plate

A lot of people can’t afford to buy enough nutritious food for themselves and their families. 3SquaresVT can help to put more healthy food on the table.

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3SquaresVT can help put healthy food on your plate | December 19, 2017 Facebook Twitter Google+ Share It’s the time of year to think about New Year’s resolutions — and for many people, getting healthier is high on the list. Everyone knows eating right is critical to good health, but with the high cost of food, fuel, housing and health care, a lot of people can’t afford to buy enough nutritious food for themselves and their families. 3SquaresVT can help to put more healthy food on the table, giving them the energy and strength they need to achieve their goals in 2018. 3SquaresVT is Vermont’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, designed to help households without sufficient resources meet their need for healthy, nutritious food. A family of four earning up to $3,793 per month may be eligible, and households can have a savings account or an asset like a car or home and still qualify. Whether they are experiencing a short-term financial crisis or longer-term challenges, 3SquaresVT helps seniors, families and individuals with lower incomes make ends meet. In fact, 1 in 8 Vermonters already receive 3SquaresVT benefits. Monthly benefits come on a debit card accepted at most grocery stores and many farmers’ markets, making it easy for households to use them. Households that qualify for 3SquaresVT benefits can access many other programs to make life more manageable, such as free school meals for children, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and even phone assistance. Households may also use 3SquaresVT at many farmers’ market locations, including many Winter Farmers Markets, and double their money with “crop cash” — households can use their EBT card at the market and get $1 worth of “crop cash” for every $1 they spend in 3SquaresVT benefits, up to $10 in free crop cash per market/per customer. Households may also receive crop cash if they receive cash assistance. Shoppers should visit the Manager’s Table at the market prior to making their purchases. SEVCA’s Family Services staff are available by appointment to assist households to apply for 3SquaresVT. For more information, call SEVCA at 1-800-464-9951. Households can also apply online at www.vermontfoodhelp.com. Eligibility and the amount of assistance provided are based primarily on household income, expenses, and household size. There are special rules that make it easier for households that include a senior or a person with a disability to receive benefits.