Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program
The Vermont program for homeowners who are behind on their housing expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply at vermonthap.vhfa.org. Funded through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, the Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program provides grants for eligible Vermont homeowners for missed payments on their mortgage, utilities (water/sewer, electricity, home heating), property taxes, and homeowner's or condominium association fees. The program is restricted to expenses related to a homeowner's primary home and other eligibility criteria also apply. If applicants are approved, payments are made directly to service providers. Applications and help are available at vermonthap.vhfa.org and by calling 833-221-4208, M-F, 8 am -5 pm.
At-Home Testing
The Department of Financial Regulation issued an emergency regulation requiring health insurers to cover the costs of COVID-19 antigen at-home tests (commonly referred to as “rapid” tests).
The new rule applies to approximately 140,000 Vermonters who have commercial insurance in Vermont’s individual, small and large group markets as well as the Vermont Education Health Initiative. The emergency rule requires health insurers to cover the retail purchase of most FDA-authorized COVID-19 antigen tests without cost-sharing for home use. Learn more about At-Home Testing.