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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach First Rules Economic Services Division 2100 5

d. Reach First payments may be made to the household by direct deposit, electronic benefit transfer (EBT) or, if the household requests, by direct payment to the person or other entity providing the housing, utilities, or other service to the household and as established in rule 2220.6. e. If a Reach First participant does not, without good cause (rule 2118.1), fulfill participant responsibilities, the Reach First benefit payment may be withheld during the conciliation process (rule 2121.1) until they comply. f. Reach First benefit payments do not continue while a fair hearing appeal is pending. g. Any Reach First benefit payment received by the household for a specific month shall be counted as income in that month for purposes of calculating the amount of benefits in Reach Up.

2107 Benefit Calculation (08/01/2024, 23-32) a. The Department shall calculate the Reach First monthly benefits using Reach Up rules, provided the cumulative total of payments received during the four-month certification period does not exceed the Reach First benefit maximum. b. The Reach First benefit maximum is the amount used to establish the maximum limit on the cumulative amount of Reach First payments available to the household during the four-month certification period, regardless of the frequency of disbursement. 1. The benefit maximum shall be determined using Reach Up Eligibility payment rules (Reach Up Eligibility rules 2238 through 2242) with the following additional steps:

i. Project and add the amounts of Reach First benefits expected for each month of presumptive eligibility relying on the most accurate information regarding the household's circumstances expected for those months without prorating for partial months;

ii. Reduce the total amount dollar for dollar for any Emergency Assistance or General Assistance (EA/GA) payment, other than back rent or mortgage arrearage assistance, received as a result of the current application; and

iii. Reduce the total amount dollar for dollar of any child support received or anticipated, other than the first $100 of child support expected in the current and subsequent months of presumptive eligibility, during the certification period. 2. As soon as the household notifies the Department of changes in circumstances that affect the amount of benefits not yet distributed, or the number of months in the certification period, the Department shall recalculate the benefit remaining in an effort to avoid an overpayment or underpayment. c. When Department or applicant/participant error results in an underpayment or overpayment, benefit adjustments shall be made in accordance with Reach Up Eligibility rules 2218 and 2219. 2108 Benefit Disbursement (08/01/2024, 23-32)

a. All Reach First benefits, other than the first payment, shall be disbursed on the first of the month. b. Benefits shall be disbursed in an amount that addresses specified and documented needs that are: 1. A result of the household's crisis;