Page 23

Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 23

2. The pro-ration benefit table is to be used regardless of the number of days in the month.

2215 Alternate Payee (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Benefits shall be payable to the following individuals on behalf of a participant under the following situations:

1. The court-appointed legal guardian or legal representative of a Reach Up participant unable to manage their own affairs; 2. A designated protective payee, who acts on behalf of a Reach Up participant who has demonstrated serious problems in management of funds; 3. Vendors of specific goods or services, when the vendor payment is used in lieu of designating a participant’s third-party payee; or 4. An adult acting on behalf of a Reach Up participant in an emergency situation expected to last 30 days or less.

b. Payment of benefits to a legal guardian or legal representative shall be authorized when a copy of the appointment is received, or the appointment has been verified at the court.

c. Payment of benefits to a protective payee, or vendor payment in lieu of payment to a protective payee, shall be authorized by the Department upon receipt of a signed protective payment agreement.

2216 Method of Payment (08/01/2024, 23-28) a. Payments in the amount of the approved benefit will be made as follows: 1. These Reach Up households shall receive their benefit amount in a single 100 percent monthly payment cycle to cover the entire month: i. Households where the Office of Child Support (OCS) collects child support on behalf of the child may receive 100% of their benefit on the 1st of the month, or, if sanctioned, after meeting with their case manager; or ii. Households under sanction for not engaging with Reach Up participant requirements may receive their shelter expense paid up to their full Reach Up benefit and 60 percent of any remaining Reach Up benefit after meeting with their case manager, with 40 percent of any remaining Reach Up benefit paid on the 16th of the month (rule 2220.6(e)(2)). 2. All other Reach Up households shall receive their benefit amount in two payments: i. 60 percent at the beginning of the month to cover the first 15 days of the month; and ii. 40 percent on or about the 16th to cover the remainder of the month. b. One-time payments for the benefit amount will be made in the following situations: