Vermont program
A free place to stay in Burlington
A free place to stay near the children's hospital in Burlington while your child receives care.
What it is
A free place to stay near the children's hospital in Burlington while your child receives care.
Staying near the hospital can ease a long trip from home. Ronald McDonald House Vermont accepts referrals from medical professionals. Room availability and the House's admission rules still apply.
Eligibility rules
- The patient must be 21 or younger. Guests need valid photo identification and a successful background check.
- Families of patients age 21 or younger receiving care at UVM Golisano Children’s Hospital can be considered. The House requires residence outside Chittenden County; staff can answer any exception question. A hospital social worker or case manager makes the referral. The House checks identification, background and room availability. Stays are limited to 30 consecutive days, with an extension request when appropriate.
What you get
- A room at no charge, with a $25 refundable security deposit.
What the help includes
- The House does not provide transportation. Rides need a separate arrangement.
If you decide to apply
- Ask your oncology social worker or case manager about a referral to the House.
- Have photo identification ready and ask about the deposit, background check and room availability.
Ronald McDonald House Vermont, through your hospital social worker or case manager. · Official page ↗
After you ask
- The House reviews the referral and room availability. The hospital team can ask how the waiting list affects your dates.
Good to know
A family cannot book directly. A medical professional makes the referral.
Other details
- The deposit is refundable; it is different from a nightly room charge.
“Would staying at Ronald McDonald House work for our family? What are the house rules and availability, and could you refer us if it fits?”
Why I’m asking: I want to understand the lodging options if traveling from home becomes too much.
More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules
Who does what
The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.
You
Bring photo identification and the deposit, and expect a background check.
Your social worker
The oncology social worker or case manager makes the referral; a family cannot book directly.
The care team
Records and letters when the application asks for them.
- Who decides
- Ronald McDonald House Vermont.
- Ask your social worker
- “We are a long drive from Burlington. Can you refer us to Ronald McDonald House before the next admission?”
How to apply
First step: Ask the oncology social worker to refer you, before the next long admission rather than during it.
- Ask the social worker to refer you before the first long admission, not during it.
- Ask about the waiting list and what happens if the House is full.
- Arrange the ride separately: the House does not drive families.
Official application / program page ↗
Where it starts: Ask the oncology social worker or case manager to refer you.
What to gather
- Photo identification
- The $25 deposit
- The admission dates
How long: Not published. Ask how the waiting list is running when you are referred.
What a yes looks like
A room booked for the admission dates.
What a no looks like, and the next move
If the House is full, ask the social worker about lodging through Medicaid transport for authorised distant care.
Watch out
- A family cannot book directly. The social worker or case manager has to refer.
- The questions and answers page requires living outside Chittenden County; the main page omits it. Ask which applies.
- The House does not drive anyone. Sort the ride separately.
The numbers and the rules
The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.
What it is worth
A free room in Burlington for families of patients 21 or younger, with a $25 refundable deposit and a medical referral.
- $0 — Cost of the stay
- $25 — Refundable security deposit
- $21 — Age ceiling for the patient
Covers: A room near the children's hospital · Space for the family while the child is admitted
What it costs the family: Free, plus a $25 refundable security deposit.
The eligibility facts, as published
- Age
- 21 or younger
- Residency
- the questions and answers page requires residence outside Chittenden County
- Referral
- a medical professional must make the referral
- Other
- valid photo identification and a successful background check
The trap: A medical professional or case manager has to make the referral; a family cannot book directly. There is a $25 refundable security deposit, separate from the free stay, and a photo identification and background check are required.
Where I read this
- Staying at the House — Ronald McDonald House Charities Vermont, read September 10, 2026
- Ronald McDonald House Vermont frequently asked questions — Ronald McDonald House Charities Vermont, read September 10, 2026