COVID-19 Coronavirus: Legal and Benefits Updates for Vermonters

Vermont Legal Aid Advocacy in Overdrive During COVID-19 Crisis

From the first moments of the COVID-19 emergency, Vermont Legal Aid has been quick to advocate for Vermonters by making requests to state officials and legislators — in addition to giving legal help to Vermonters.

Some recent work has included:

Successfully lobbying for a moratorium on utility shutoffs (electric, gas and phones)
Pushing for a statewide moratorium on evictions
Advocating for low-income and vulnerable Vermonters in the Vermont courts
Tracking down Vermonters who were about to be removed from their homes during this health crisis and filing motions to postpone their writs of possession
Lobbying for increases in food benefits for families having a harder time putting meals on the table
Advising and representing those who are denied unemployment compensation
Working to make health insurance more accessible to all by helping Vermonters take advantage of the special enrollment period on Vermont Health Connect, and focusing on decreasing the cost of COVID-19 related care
Advocating to assure that Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities have equal access to life-sustaining treatment and are not discriminated against based on their disability
Promoting the rights of people getting long-term care services
Advocating for rule changes that allow low-income and vulnerable people to continue to access benefits and services during the emergency order
Making recommendations to protect the education rights of students with disabilities as remote education is implemented
Identifying and communicating the most urgent needs within the Developmental Services system
Advocating the use federal funds to promote fair, inclusive housing even during the crisis
Advocating to assure that residents of Vermont’s residential care homes are able to stay safely in their homes throughout the pandemic
Urging state housing policymakers to ensure housing stimulus money goes to the poorest and most vulnerable Vermonters
Advocating in the legislature for low-income and vulnerable people
Advocating for CARES Act funding to be devoted to the needs of low-income and vulnerable people
Outreach and education about COVID-19 changes to the law and rules
Summarizing new laws, rules and procedures on a dedicated COVID-19 page at https://vtlawhelp.org/coronavirus-updates

Things are moving quickly and Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont are working hard to support the well-being of low-income and vulnerable Vermonters.

Vermont Legal Aid welcomes your support!

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