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Vermont TANF State Plan Renewal October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027 8

Services to Alleviate Child Welfare Emergencies:

Vermont preserves its authority (Title IV-A, section 404(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) to continue providing services to alleviate child welfare emergencies using TANF funds under the former ANFC-EA plan in effect as of September 30, 1995. The child protective services previously authorized under 45 C.F.R. § 233.120 (repealed by Public Law 104-193) are defined as the investigation of reports of abuse and neglect, the assessment of family needs and strengths, and the delivery of casework and other services designed to address the risk factors that led to the abuse or neglect of the child. Services include, but are not limited to, crisis services, protective service and family support childcare, emergency shelter, foster care, and residential care for children. EA may only be authorized to those who are not eligible for payment of these services through another funding source.

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program is designed to promote work by providing needy working families with children tax credits that are refunded to the families in excess of any refunded overpayment of tax liability. The income eligibility for this state EITC is the same as for the federal EITC. The family must include a minor child to qualify for the program. This program is funded with TANF funds.

Child Care Transportation

The Child Development Division (CDD) of DCF authorizes payment for transportation to and from child care for children/families who are determined eligible through the CDD Child Care Financial Assistance Program. Eligible children include those in open cases with the Family Services Division (Protective Services); children whose families are experience short term stress (Family Support Child Care Services); and children with a Special Health need, including children with developmental delays. Payment for transportation services is limited to Protective Services, Family Support or Special Health Need childcare when the primary caretaker has no other means of transportation.

MOE-Funded Programs

Separate State Programs are programs funded with state general funds that are counted towards Vermont’s MOE requirement.

The Reach Up Separate State Program Component

This program is structured to pay financial assistance with appropriated state MOE funds to families in which the parent or caretaker is engaged in unsubsidized employment for the number of hours that meets the applicable TANF participation rate requirement. The purpose of the separate state program is to preserve eligibility for TANF-funded assistance to working Reach Up families by providing them with work supports and financial assistance funded with TANF MOE. The component is operational only when there are sufficient general funds. Other than the qualifying criteria for this program, this component operates under the same rules for participation and eligibility as the standard Reach Up Program.