In re Helen Potter

Summary

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed the Human Services Board's denial of Helen Potter's applications for seasonal fuel assistance, crisis fuel benefits, and essential person benefits. The court held that the evidence supported classifying Potter as a roomer in her nephew's household and that she was required to provide information about his income and resources for the essential-person-benefits application.

Holdings

1. The Board properly determined that Potter was a roomer in her nephew's household, not the head of the household, and therefore she was ineligible for seasonal fuel assistance and crisis fuel benefits under the applicable rules.
2. Because Potter designated her nephew as a non-spouse essential person, she was required to provide information about his income and resources to establish eligibility for essential person benefits.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Human Services Board properly determined that Potter was a roomer rather than the head of her nephew's household for purposes of seasonal and crisis fuel assistance.
2. Whether the Department and the Human Services Board properly required Potter to provide information about her designated non-spouse essential person's income and resources before determining eligibility for essential person benefits.

Disposition

affirmed