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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 21

2213.2 Benefit Amount Notice (08/01/2024, 23-28) a. Written notice of benefit amounts shall include the following specific information: 1. Benefit amount; 2. Effective date of first payment; 3. Conditions, if any, affecting continuing benefits; and 4. Method of payment.

b. Written notice of benefits denied shall include the specific reason for denial.

c. Written notice of continuing benefits shall state that benefits continue or include the following specific information regarding a change:

1. Current benefit amount and changed benefit amount; 2. Effective date of change; 3. Reason for change; and 4. Method of payment.

d. Written notice of benefits closed shall include the following specific information:

1. Current benefit amount, if any; 2. Effective date of closure; and

3. Reason for closure.

2214 Benefit Amounts (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. A benefit amount is a direct payment of assistance to, or on behalf of, an eligible Reach Up household to meet need, as established under Department rules.

b. Reach Up benefit amounts shall be made payable to the parent or caretaker responsible for care and supervision of an eligible child, except when an alternate payee has been designated by court action or under Department regulations (rule 2215).

c. A non-recipient parent or caretaker may be designated payee to meet the needs of an eligible child in their care in the following situations:

1. A parent or caretaker has their own needs met through a separate SSI/AABD grant for which they are payee in their own right; or 2. A caretaker is not financially eligible for Reach Up but provides care for an eligible child in either the caretaker’s or child’s home.