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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 12

i. If an applicant has difficulty in completing an application and no other person is available to assist, a Department employee may record information furnished by the applicant on the application.

1. The Department must review the application information entered to ensure accuracy before the applicant signs and assumes responsibility for the information.

j. The individual in whose name an application is filed is designated the applicant, or the head of the Reach Up household.

1. When a group of individuals apply together for benefits from more than one Department program, it is preferable, although not mandatory, that the same member be designated head of the household for all programs.

2207.2 Choice of Program (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. An applicant who is eligible for both Reach Up benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with or without the state AABD supplement, shall have free choice to select either program.

b. No individual may, however, receive Reach Up benefits at the same time as receiving federal SSI or state AABD.

1. Recipients of SSI can act as a payee of a Reach Up benefit on behalf of other eligible individuals.

c. Applicants or participants who apply for SSI or are awaiting a decision on an SSI application may be required to sign an agreement authorizing the Department’s recovery of Reach Up from SSI back payments.

2207.3 Deadline for Application Processing (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Action on applications shall be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days from the date of application for Reach Up.

b. Within this deadline, a decision must be made concerning the application, and a written notice of that decision must be sent to the applicant.

c. When the deadline is not met because of applicant-caused delays or circumstances beyond ESD’s control, the reason must be documented in the case record.

d. Not meeting the established deadline shall not constitute the sole reason for denial of benefits unless the applicant’s non-cooperation can be established and documented in the case record.

2208 Sources of Application Information (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. The applicant is the primary source of information about their need and eligibility for benefits. b. Verification of information provided on the signed application and through interviews is only required when specified at rule 2208.3.