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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 45

not delay, deny, or discontinue Reach Up benefits while the issuance and verification of such numbers is pending.

2232 Child and Spousal Support (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Physical absence of a parent from the home, for any reason, does not relieve the parent or spouse of legal responsibility for support of a dependent child.

b. A debt is created to the Department by the noncustodial parent or former spouse when they are responsible, and not paying, for a child support or spousal support obligation and their dependent child or former spouse is receiving Reach Up benefits in another household. 1. The amount of debt owed shall equal the amount of Reach Up benefits paid, unless the following conditions exist:

i. The Family Court rules otherwise;

ii. The Office of Child Support (OCS) enters into a voluntary agreement with the responsible parent to limit the debt; or

iii. The noncustodial parent or spouse presents a court order that limits said debt.

2232.1 Assignment of Support Rights (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Assignment of support rights is the legal procedure by which a person receiving Reach Up benefits agrees to turn over to the Department any right to support, including arrearages, paid by the noncustodial parent or former spouse in exchange for receipt of Reach Up benefits.

1. The Department will use a portion of such support to cover or recoup the Reach Up benefits.

b. Assignment of support rights is a condition of eligibility for Reach Up benefits.

1. This requirement applies to parents/caretakers and may not be waived.

2. This requirement applies to support from all noncustodial parents or former spouses of all members of the Reach Up household.

c. In a Reach Up household with two eligible parents, where one or more of the children has a noncustodial parent, the parent recognized under 15C V.S.A. § 102(16) will sign the assignment of child support rights form, regardless of which parent is the Reach Up head of household.

2232.2 Cooperation with the Office of Child Support (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. A parent/caretaker shall be required to cooperate with the Office of Child Support (OCS) in establishing parentage and pursuing child support from any noncustodial parent, unless a request for a waiver from the requirement to cooperate is made.

b. Failure to cooperate, as determined by OCS, shall result in a 25 percent reduction of the Reach Up household's benefit.