Department of Children & Families

Governor Douglas Promotes Department for Children and Families’

New Benefits Service Center and Interactive Benefits Website

Waterbury, VT— Governor Jim Douglas is encouraging Vermonters to use the Department for Children and Families’ (DCF) new Benefits Service Center and interactive website to access benefits such as 3SquaresVT (formerly food stamps), fuel assistance, health insurance, and phone assistance.

“You can call 1-800-479-6151 or go to myBenefits.vt.gov to find out about available benefits, track your application, and access information about your case,” said Governor Douglas. “And you can do all this when it’s most convenient for you – during the day, at night, or on weekends. Starting in June of this year, you will also be able to apply for benefits online.”

Governor Douglas, Agency of Human Services Secretary Rob Hofmann, Department for Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Steve Dale, and others today toured DCF’s new Benefits Service Center and Applications & Document Processing Center – both at the heart of an effort to modernize the way DCF administers economic benefits.

“This is a great example of how we can use new technologies and best practice to transform the way state government works and better serve Vermonters,” the Governor commented while touring the center located in Waterbury. “DCF’s modernization efforts will not only provide Vermonters with easier, more convenient access to programs and services, they will also save the state an estimated $2 million a year in operating costs.”

Through its Economic Services Division, DCF delivers economic benefits to more than 95,000 Vermont households (about 180,000 Vermonters) at any given time.

“We began planning for modernization over two years ago,” said DCF Commissioner Steve Dale. “It is very exciting to see our efforts finally come to fruition. We recognize that some people may be anxious about the changes we are making and are working closely with advocacy groups to make the transition as easy as possible.”

For more information about DCF’s modernization efforts, go to http://dcf.vermont.gov/modernization.