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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 42

i. In all cases where a member of the Reach Up household is to be temporarily absent from Vermont for a period of 30 days or more, they must notify the Department, advising of their new location, mailing address, and residency intent.

1. Failure to notify the Department of a temporary absence from Vermont may cause delay in receipt of Reach Up benefits or the inability to determine continued eligibility.

2229.1 Residence of Child in Custody (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Vermont is the residence of a child placed in the custody of the Department, pursuant to a court order, regardless of where the child is actually living.

b. A Reach Up household may receive Reach Up benefits under rule 2228.2 for a child committed to the care and custody of another state, if the plan is to reunify the household in Vermont.

2230 Citizenship and Immigration Status (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. To be eligible for Reach Up benefits, an individual shall be:

1. A citizen or national of the United States; or

2. A qualified immigrant.

i. Qualified immigrant shall have the same meaning as a “qualified alien” under 8 U.S.C. § 1641.

b. Reach Up applicants must declare citizenship and immigrant status on the Reach Up application.

1. Non-citizens must provide documentation of immigration status.

2. The Department must verify the immigration status of every non-citizen in a household using SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) or another immigration status verification system established by the federal government.

i. Once identity and immigration status are verified, the applicant will not be required to provide additional proof of immigration status or identity.

c. For purposes of these rules, a “non-citizen” is a person who is not citizen or national of the United States.

d. A “citizen or national of the United States” is:

1. An individual born in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or Swains Island, except for individuals born to foreign diplomats;

2. A naturalized citizen;

3. An individual who otherwise qualifies as a citizen of the United States under § 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1401; or