Appealing DCF Public Benefits Decisions

You have the right to appeal decisions from the Department for Children and Families (DCF) about your benefits. You can tell a DCF worker that you disagree or you can write a handwritten or printed letter. Write the date on the letter and make a copy for yourself.

Mail your appeal letter to DCF or bring it to your local DCF district office. After you give DCF your appeal letter, you will receive notice about a fair hearing from the Human Services Board.

Find out more about fair hearings.

You have 90 days from when DCF makes a decision to appeal. If you want to keep your benefits while you appeal, you must appeal before your benefits change. If you receive a notice decreasing your benefits at the end of the month, you must file your appeal or call DCF before the end of the month to keep your benefits.

Did DCF cut your benefits or sanction you? Do you have a fair hearing? Contact us for help. Fill out our form and we will call you back. Your information will be sent to Legal Services Vermont, which screens requests for help for both Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont. You can also call us at 1-800-889-2047.

How Do You Appeal?

Keep a copy of your appeal letter. Your letter should include:

your name
your address
your Social Security number
why you are appealing
what you want

You can use this appeal form letter. Write your information in the form letter and sign it. Copy the letter for your records. Bring the letter to your local DCF district office.

Or you can mail it to:

DCF - Economic Services Division
Application and Document Processing Center
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1500

Getting Benefits While You Appeal

If you want to keep your benefits while you appeal, you must appeal as soon as you get a notice, before your benefits change.

If your benefits stop or are decreased without notice to you, appeal right away. Write in your appeal letter that DCF did not inform you ahead of time about the cut and ask that benefits continue.

If you lose your appeal, you may owe DCF the money it paid for your benefits during the appeal.

Do you want help deciding if you should ask for your benefits to continue? Contact us for help. Fill out our form and we will call you back. Your information will be sent to Legal Services Vermont, which screens requests for help for both Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont. You can also call us at 1-800-889-2047.

If you did not appeal in time to keep your benefit the same, you will get those benefits back if you win your case.