Page 16

Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 16

2. Good cause reasons include:

i. Natural disasters, such as fires or floods, having a direct impact on the applicant or participant or an immediate family member; ii. Illness of such severity on the part of the applicant or participant or an immediate family member that the applicant or participant is unable to direct their personal affairs; iii. Refusal of an employer to provide earned income verification, or the unavailability of an employer to provide verification before the deadline; iv. Lost or stolen mail which is confirmed by the Postal Service; v. Refusal of a landlord to verify housing expense; vi. Death of the applicant or participant or an immediate family member; or vii. Inability of a third party to provide the necessary documentation within the designated time period. 3. Other reasons may be found to constitute good cause with the approval of the Department. k. If verification is received after the Department has denied the application, but within 60 days from the original application date, the Department may use the original application to determine eligibility. 1. If eligible, benefits will be issued from the date the missing verification requirements were provided.

2208.4 Collateral Sources Used for Verification (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. The Department may contact sources, other than the applicant, to verify an applicant’s eligibility for benefits. b. The Department may only contact collateral sources with the consent of the applicant as authorized by a signed application or authorization to release information. 1. These contacts are limited to interviews, telephone calls, or correspondence necessary to obtain information required to make an eligibility decision. c. Information requested from collateral sources is limited to the specific eligibility factors in question. 2209 Continuing Eligibility (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Reach Up benefits continue, as authorized, until changed or terminated for the following reasons: 1. Change in circumstances; 2. Participant did not provide a completed interim report; 3. Expiration of a certification period; 4. Participant did not provide information to complete recertification; 5. Sanctioned participant did not engage in Reach Up participant requirements; or 6. Participant received 60 countable months and did not engage in Reach Up participant requirements.