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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 33

2. If the Reach Up household follows through with their intent to move, the Department will end protective payments only after the Department verifies with the landlord that the Reach Up household and their possessions have in fact moved from their current dwelling unit. d. Vendor payments shall terminate when a court has issued an eviction order.

e. The Department shall discuss judicial appointment of a legal representative with the Reach Up household if it appears that the appointment of a legal representative would be more beneficial to the household than protective payments.

2221 Eligible Child (08/01/2024, 23-28) a. An eligible child is defined as an individual who meets all Reach Up criteria of need, age, and residence. b. An individual qualifies under the age criterion as an eligible child if they are under 18. 1. In addition, an 18-year-old child is eligible if they are a full-time student in a secondary school, or an equivalent educational program, and the child is expected to complete high school or the equivalent program before reaching their 22nd birthday. 2. An eligible child under subsection (b)(1) above remains eligible for Reach Up benefits for the full calendar month they graduate high school or complete their educational program. 3. Children who are not full-time secondary school students on the day before their 18th birthday remain eligible for Reach Up benefits for the full calendar month during which their 18th birthday occurs. c. An otherwise eligible 18-year-old child with a documented disability continues to be eligible for Reach Up benefits as follows: 1. If they are a full-time student in a secondary school, or an equivalent educational program, and the child will not complete high school or the equivalent program before their 22nd birthday solely because of their disability. 2. An eligible child under subsection (c)(1) above remains eligible for Reach Up benefits for the full calendar month during which their 22nd birthday occurs. d. Disability is defined according to the Americans with Disabilities Act as follows: 1. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; 2. A record of such an impairment; or 3. Being regarded as having such an impairment. e. The following children are considered to have a disability under the ADA definition: 1. A child with a learning disability; or 2. Any child who receives or has received special education. f. To determine if the child receives or has received special education services, it is necessary to verify that the child has or had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan through their school district.