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Vermont TANF State Plan Renewal October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027 15

2201 Definition of Domestic Violence “Domestic violence” means any of the following acts: i. Physical acts that resulted in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to the individual; ii. Sexual abuse; iii. Sexual activity involving an eligible child; iv. Being forced as the parent or caretaker of an eligible child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities; v. Threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual abuse; vi. Mental or emotional abuse; or vii. Neglect or deprivation of medical care.

2206 Domestic Violence a. The Department recognizes that families experiencing the effects of domestic violence may face a threat to the health, safety, and well‐being of one or more family members as well as an obstacle to upward economic mobility. b. To encourage and help such families to address the effects of domestic violence, the Department shall explain to applicants and participants that they: 1. May ask for a deferment to Reach Up participant requirements (Reach Up Services rule 2323); 2. May ask for a waiver of the requirement to cooperate in the pursuit of child support (rule 2232.4); 3. Have a right to confidentiality unless the law requires a report of abuse; and 4. May limit voluntary waivers of confidentiality based on criteria they choose, such as time periods or named collateral contacts. c. The Department shall provide this explanation at the time of application and eligibility review and at any time the Department receives information indicating that the applicant or participant, or a dependent child, may be or may have been a victim of domestic violence. d. Domestic violence is defined at rule 2201.

Section 2201C of Reach Up Eligibility Procedures addresses Domestic Violence. (See Attachment E)

Section 2323.1 of Case management rules address Domestic Violence:

2323.1 Domestic Violence Deferment

a. The Department shall make an individualized assessment of a participant's situation and available documentation to determine whether their request for deferment because of domestic violence shall be granted.

1. These effects may be the result of domestic violence that occurred in the past or the present.

b. The Department shall grant a domestic violence deferment when engaging in Reach Up participant