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Vermont TANF State Plan Renewal October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027 17

This procedure includes guidance on talking with survivors and offering options such as deferment from the work requirement, ensuring safety and confidentiality.

(a)(1)(B) SPECIAL PROVISIONS

(i) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to treat families moving into the State from another State differently than other families under the program, and if so, how the State intends to treat such families under the program.

Families moving into Vermont from other states receive the same benefits from the TANF program as current residents.

(a)(1)(B)(ii) The document shall indicate whether the State intends to provide assistance under the program to individuals who are not citizens of the United States, and if so, shall include an overview of such assistance.

Vermont provides assistance to U.S. citizens, nationals and qualified aliens pursuant to federal law. Provided they meet other Reach Up program eligibility criteria, Vermont provides TANF-funded Reach Up assistance to qualified aliens who entered the United States prior to August 22, 1996; qualified aliens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996 who have been in a qualified alien status for five years; and to those qualified aliens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996 who are exempted from the five-year bar. Those exempted from the 5-year bar include asylees; refugees (including victims of severe forms of trafficking); aliens whose deportation is being withheld, Amer- Asians, Cuban and Haitian entrants, veterans, members of the military on active duty, and their spouses and unmarried dependent children.

Provided they met the standard eligibility criteria of Reach Up, Vermont law (33 V.S.A. §1121(d)(5)) established a separate state program to provide state-funded assistance to qualified aliens who were receiving assistance before Vermont’s waiver expired on July 1, 2001, and who were not eligible for TANF-funded assistance. Legal permanent residents who have worked 40 qualifying quarters of coverage are eligible for TANF-funded assistance if they meet federal criteria.

(a)(1)(B)(iii) The document shall set forth objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility and for fair and equitable treatment, including an explanation of how the State will provide opportunities for recipients who have been adversely affected to be heard in a State administrative or appeal process.

Vermont will continue to operate the Reach Program based on objective criteria for determination of eligibility and delivery of benefits according to program rules and procedures in the Reach Up Manual and, for childcare assistance, according to regulatory standards established by Vermont's lead agency for administration of the Child Care and Development Block Grant, CDD. Specific changes in these rules are accomplished only after a process of administrative rule making that provides opportunity for public comment.

Vermont will continue its current fair hearing process, which provides an opportunity for a hearing before