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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 39

a. A temporary absence of a parent or caretaker from the home for a period of greater than 30 days, but not expected to exceed 180 consecutive days, is limited to the following:

1. The parent or caretaker is receiving inpatient or outpatient care from a hospital;

2. The parent or caretaker is receiving inpatient or outpatient care from a substance abuse treatment facility; or

3. The parent or caretaker is receiving inpatient or outpatient care from another medical institution.

b. The parent or caretaker, who is temporarily absent from the home for any of the above reasons, may receive Reach Up benefits if the following criteria are met:

1. The parent or caretaker continues to maintain a home, including lack of a physical home, and be responsible for the child;

2. The parent or caretaker has arranged for a responsible adult to care for the child and to be designated as the protective payee of the Reach Up benefits during the absence;

3. The parent or caretaker plans to return to the home at the end of the absence; and

4. The Reach Up household continues to meet all other eligibility requirements for Reach Up benefits.

c. If the Reach Up household is homeless, and the parent or caretaker is temporarily absent for any of the above reasons, the parent or caretaker may receive Reach Up benefits if they continue to be responsible for the child and meet criteria (b) 1 through 4 above.

d. A parent or caretaker, who is temporarily absent from the home for reasons other than to receive medical care as specified above, may receive Reach Up benefits for a period not to exceed 30 days.

e. For absences beyond 30 days, the Department shall provide housing expenses by vendor payment if a housing allowance is included in the Reach Up benefits. 1. Housing expenses include rent, mortgage, property taxes, insurance, allowable maintenance and repair, and room and board. 2. If there is any balance remaining after the housing expenses are deducted, the remaining amount shall be paid to the designated protective payee in two payments. 3. Sixty percent of any remainder shall be paid within the first half of the calendar month and forty percent within the second half of the month.

f. During the temporary absence of a parent or caretaker, basic needs shall be included in the Reach Up budget, according to applicable standards, as follows:

1. Allowance for continuing needs of eligible children cared for in their own home or in a temporary placement by a responsible adult;

2. Allowances for continuing needs of the parent or caretaker; and