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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 47

b. A Reach Up household that is fully cooperating shall not have their Reach Up benefits denied, reduced, or delayed pending the Department's child support waiver decision.

1. This decision will be made within 30 days from the date the child support waiver is requested, except when the required information cannot be obtained within that time frame. c. Upon request, the Department will provide reasonable assistance in obtaining information to support the child support waiver.

d. The Department may verify the information received or seek additional information necessary to evaluate a child support waiver.

e. In processing requests for the child support waiver, the Department will:

1. Only contact noncustodial parents if such contact is necessary to establish the child support waiver; and 2. Notify the parent/caretaker of the child, prior to making such necessary contact, to enable the parent/caretaker to: i. Present additional information so that contact with the noncustodial parent becomes unnecessary; ii. Agree to the contact; iii. Withdraw the household's application for Reach Up benefits; or iv. Refuse to allow the contact after being advised that this refusal will result in denial of the child support waiver.

f. The Department will base a child support waiver determination on documentation, such as:

1. Law enforcement records;

2. Court documents;

3. Criminal records;

4. Birth certificates;

5. Medical records;

6. Social service or child protective services records; or

7. Supporting statements from individuals, other than the parent/caretaker, with knowledge of the circumstances.

g. If additional information is needed, the Department must promptly notify parent/caretaker of the type of documentation required.

h. The Department will investigate claims of anticipated emotional or physical harm to the child or