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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 38

1. The provision of child care that enables the applicant or participant to work on a full-time paid basis outside the home; 2. Care for a disabled or seriously ill member of the Reach Up household in the home; 3. The provision of child care that enables the applicant or participant to attend training or postsecondary education full time; 4. The provision of child care that enables the applicant or participant to attend high school or equivalent educational classes full-time; or 5. The provision of child care, not to exceed a period of two months, that enables the applicant or participant to participate in a job search or other Reach Up activities.

c. To determine the need of an eligible Reach Up essential caregiver see rule 2237.

2227 Home (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. A home is defined as the Reach Up household setting maintained, or in the process of being established, in which the parent or caretaker assumes responsibility for care and supervision of the child.

b. Lack of a physical home, as in the case of a family experiencing homelessness, is not by itself a basis for disqualification from eligibility for Reach Up benefits.

c. The child and parent or caretaker normally share the same physical home.

d. A home shall also be considered to exist, in certain circumstances, during the temporary absence of either the child or parent/caretaker from the physical home (rule 2228).

2228 Temporary Absence from the Home (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. In all cases where a child or parent/caretaker is or will be absent from the home for a period of 30 days or more, the parent or caretaker must notify the Department of the following: 1. The reason for the absence; 2. The designation of the protective payee, if applicable; and 3. The parent’s or caretaker’s intent to maintain a home for the child during the absence. b. All temporary absences of a child or parent/caretaker exceeding 30 days shall be subject to verification and approval by the Department. c. The expectation of temporary absences of a child or parent/caretaker must not exceed 180 consecutive days. 1. Counting the 180 consecutive days begins on: i. The date the child or parent/caretaker leaves the home; or ii. The first day Reach Up benefits were approved when the child or parent/caretaker has previously been absent from the home prior to receiving Reach Up benefits.

2228.1 Temporary Absence of a Parent or Caretaker (08/01/2024, 23-28)