Human Services Board – Montpelier, VT

Human Services Board

The Human Services Board is an independent citizen’s panel located in Montpelier, VT, created by the legislature to act as a fair hearing board. It serves a critical quasi-judicial function within the state government, hearing appeals brought by individuals who are aggrieved by decisions or policies of the various departments under the Agency of Human Services (AHS). Importantly, while it handles cases related to AHS, the Board operates independently to ensure impartial review.

Fair Hearings and Appeals

The primary responsibility of the Board is to conduct fair hearings. These hearings provide a forum for citizens to dispute actions such as the denial, reduction, or termination of benefits. Hearing officers conduct these proceedings and issue recommendations to the Board.

• Jurisdiction: Covers appeals for Medicaid, 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, child protection substantiations, and other AHS programs.
• Accessibility: The Board ensures that the appeal process is accessible to all Vermonters, offering hearings in various districts or via remote means when necessary.
• Decisions: The Board reviews hearing officer recommendations and issues final orders, which can be further appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court.

Office Information

The Board’s administrative office is located on Baldwin Street, near the Vermont State House. This office handles the processing of appeal requests, scheduling of hearings, and case management. It is not a walk-in service center for general benefits; it is specifically for the adjudication of disputes.