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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 29

C. Taxes; D. Fuel; E. Electricity; F. Water; G. Sewer; H. Basic telephone service; I. Non-reimbursed medical expenses; J. Non-reimbursed work-related childcare expenses; K. Food in an amount equal to the 3SquaresVT Thrifty Food Plan; and L. Actual and reasonable school expenses, including the cost of a uniform not provided by the school and required for a specific school activity in which a Reach Up household member participates. c. A legitimate landlord-tenant dispute is established when the parent or caretaker has arranged to pay rent in one of the following methods: 1. Into an escrow account with their attorney; 2. Into an escrow account with a bank, if the landlord agrees; 3. Into a separate bank account, if the landlord does not agree; or 4. To the court, if so ordered, until such time as the dispute is resolved. d. A landlord-tenant dispute is considered legitimate when: 1. The landlord fails to comply with their obligations of habitability; 2. The tenant gave the landlord actual notice of the noncompliance; 3. The landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time, and the noncompliance materially affects health and safety; 4. The noncompliance is not caused by the negligence or deliberate action or omission of the tenant or of a person on the premises with the tenant’s consent; or

5. The payment of rent was diverted to pay for documented repairs, fuel, or utilities that are the landlord’s responsibility and affect the health and safety of the child. e. If a Reach Up household is already on controlled vendor payments (CVP) when a legitimate landlord- tenant dispute arises, the parent or caretaker must set up and pay rent pending the resolution of the dispute in one of the following ways: 1. Into an escrow account with an attorney; 2. With a bank if the landlord agrees; or 3. To the court, if so ordered.