Page 14

Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 14

c. The Department may waive the interview requirement for applicants who are not mandatory members of the Reach Up household when they apply for benefits only on behalf of the children in the household if the following criteria are met: 1. All questions on the application have been answered completely;

2. The application does not contain any questionable or inconsistent information; and

3. The Department has received all required verification.

2208.3 Verification (08/01/2024, 23-28) a. Verification is a written entry in the case record of third-party confirmation or documentation of facts stated by an applicant or participant. b. Verification shall be required when: 1. The Department is processing an initial application or eligibility recertification for Reach Up benefits;

2. The participant reports a change in circumstances relating to the verified item; or

3. The Department receives information from some other source that indicates the most recent information reported by the applicant or participant may be incorrect.

c. Verification shall be required for the following items:

1. All non-excluded income (amount and source);

2. All non-excluded resources, within $200 of the resource limit:

3. Actual dependent care costs for a non-household member claimed as a work expense and used as a deduction from earned income;

4. High risk pregnancy for a person with no dependent children;

5. Collateral information affecting eligibility;

6. Application for a social security number, if the individual does not have one; and

7. Months of TANF assistance received in another state.

d. Verification may be required for the following, if questionable: 1. Identity and residency; 2. Age, citizenship, or immigrant status for any member of the Reach Up household; 3. Parentage of a child included in the Reach Up household; and 4. Any other information that affects eligibility or amount of benefits.

e. Written verification statements shall include sufficient detail to enable independent reviewer evaluation

Page 14

Official source

Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 14

2. The application does not contain any questionable or inconsistent information; and

3. The Department has received all required verification.

2. The participant reports a change in circumstances relating to the verified item; or

3. The Department receives information from some other source that indicates the most recent information reported by the applicant or participant may be incorrect.

c. Verification shall be required for the following items:

1. All non-excluded income (amount and source);

2. All non-excluded resources, within $200 of the resource limit:

3. Actual dependent care costs for a non-household member claimed as a work expense and used as a deduction from earned income;

4. High risk pregnancy for a person with no dependent children;

5. Collateral information affecting eligibility;

6. Application for a social security number, if the individual does not have one; and

7. Months of TANF assistance received in another state.

e. Written verification statements shall include sufficient detail to enable independent reviewer evaluation