BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Several federally funded programs for Vermont veterans are at risk of shutting down as part of Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
The programs are offered through the Vermont Veteran Outreach Team, which is at risk of being phased out if the funds it needs to operate are not provided.
The team is made up mostly of combat veterans who help other Vermont vets with access to resources like housing, employment, finances, and VA enrollment.
“There’s a lot of anxiety,” said Vermont Army National Guard LTC. Scott Detweiler. “The services that our Vermont Veterans Outreach Team provides are critical to assist these veterans in navigating those systems, and all of that will go away in just a couple of weeks.”
Vermont is one of 23 states that rely on a pot of $25 million to operate. About $2.5 million comes to Vermont. If the funding isn’t available, the program will shutter at the end of June.
“They serve more than 34,000+ veterans in Vermont. The impact is significant and the consequence of not having the funding for these programs is beyond catastrophic,” said Miriam Boyle, a family programs director.
Given the short timeline for funding, the program has already begun to sunset. “We’re closing cases. We’ll be able to help a couple of veterans with some short-term issues, but for the long-term issues that require more advocacy, we aren’t able to begin those cases at this point,” Detweiler said.
The Guard says they are reliant on Vermont’s federal delegation to advocate for the funding on Capitol Hill. Senator Peter Welch called the funding cuts by the House appalling. “We should always stand by our veterans, never abandon them. They never abandoned us. Senator Sanders and I in the Senate will do everything we can to restore that funding,” Welch said.
Detweiler says there’s still time for Congress to act. “This is not just a Vermont issue, this is a national issue impacting many states, and the value that these programs provide far exceeds the cost,” he said.
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