Page 18

Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 18

1. Such changes include: residence location, Reach Up household composition, employment, income, and resources.

c. When a change is the addition of an adult to a Reach Up household, all eligibility conditions apply (rule 2202) and are reconsidered for the new Reach Up household formed by the change. d. When a change is the addition of any individual to an existing Reach Up household, benefits based on the new member’s needs and income will be effective for the date on which the individual joined the Reach Up household, provided that a timely report of the change was made.

1. A report of change is considered timely if it is reported within ten calendar days of the date the change became known to the Reach Up household.

2. If the change was not timely reported, benefits based on the participant’s needs and income shall be effective from the date on which the change was reported.

e. A change reported for one program shall be considered to have been reported for all programs in which the Reach Up household is participating.

f. The Department shall, upon receipt of a report of changed circumstances, consider such changes in relation to all eligibility factors for all programs through which benefits are currently authorized.

1. If a reported change results in a Reach Up household becoming ineligible, benefits shall end on the earliest date for which the adverse action deadline has not passed. g. A description of payment cycles is given at rule 2216.

h. Reductions and closures resulting from changes reported fewer than ten calendar days before the adverse action approval deadline may take effect for the following benefit period.

1. This ensures that participants have a ten-day period in which to provide required verification and the Department has a ten-day administrative period in which to process the change.

i. A Reach Up household that includes a pregnant person cannot have their Reach Up benefits increased solely based on the pregnancy.

2211.1 Change of Address (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. A Reach Up household shall immediately notify the Department of any change in their domicile and inform the Department of the new location and mailing address.

b. Failure to immediately notify the Department of any change in domicile may result in a delay in receipt of benefits, incorrect payments, or render the Department unable to determine continued eligibility.

c. Changes of domicile for reasons other than visiting purposes shall require a review of circumstances and recomputation of budgeted need.

1. Visits away from the domicile of less than 30 days are not considered a change of domicile.