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Office of Public Guardian

The Office of Public Guardian (OPG), acting under court authority, provides public guardianship where there is no friend or family member to serve as guardian, and the individual needs a public guardian to protect his or her rights or welfare.

Vermont law provides public guardianship for:

The mission of the program is to assist and empower people under guardianship in making decisions and taking actions in critical life areas. Public guardians seek to diminish the need for public guardianship by identifying, training, and assisting private guardians; by encouraging and preparing individuals to make their own decisions; and by developing supportive community resources.

The Office of Public Guardian offers representative payee services to approximately 300 individuals who receive Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement, or Veteran's benefits.

Office of Public Guardian (OPG) Contact Information
The Director and Administrative Services Coordinator are located in Montpelier. Twenty-four (24) full time Public Guardians are located in offices throughout Vermont, and a Representative Payee is located in Rutland. For more information about the Office of Public Guardian view our Annual Report;  Vermont Office of Public Guardian Annual Report (State Fiscal Year 2023).

Administrative Office Phone: (802) 828-2143
Fax Number: (802) 828-0243

If you have guardianship emergency, please call the OPG Answering Service for emergency assistance.

Public Guardian 24-Hour Emergency Number: 1-800-642-3100 [Toll Free]

Resources for Guardians

  • Alternatives to Guardianship - Independence and self-determination are important to all people. Because guardianship for adults is intrusive and involves the removal of rights from an individual, it should be considered only after reasonable alternatives have been considered. Some alternatives are easier and less costly than court procedures; others are not.