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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 48

parent/caretaker, even when no information is submitted to support the child support waiver.

i. OCS is prohibited from attempting to establish parentage or collect child support in cases where the parent/caretaker requests a child support waiver until a decision has been made regarding the waiver request.

2232.5 Review of Child Support Waivers (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. The Department shall review child support waivers at each recertification unless a waiver has been granted for the lifetime of the parent/caretaker.

b. The parent/caretaker must submit current information if a significant change of circumstances relative to the child support waiver has occurred.

2232.6 Termination of Benefits Due to Child Support (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. If a Reach Up household's benefit was terminated because of countable child support in excess of the Reach Up benefit, either alone or in combination with another reason affecting income eligibility, the household will enter a 12-month administrative period. 1. The administrative period begins with the first full calendar month following the effective date of the Reach Up termination and lasts 12 consecutive months. b. During this 12-month administrative period, the Department shall reinstate the Reach Up household's benefit effective the first day of the month when all the following conditions are met: 1. The Reach Up household becomes eligible for Reach Up benefits during that month solely because of a loss or reduction of child support; 2. The Reach Up household has been ineligible for Reach Up benefits since the termination; 3. The Reach Up household requests reinstatement by the 20th day of the month following the month in which the loss or reduction of child support first occurred; and 4. The Reach Up household returns the forms required for reinstatement by the end of the month in which they request reinstatement.

c. During the 12-month administrative period, OCS shall distribute current child support payments collected on behalf of the former Reach Up household to them within two days of receipt.

2233 Special Cases of Ineligibility (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Regardless of whether they meet all other eligibility requirements for Reach Up benefits, special cases exist where individuals and households are ineligible for Reach Up benefits.

2233.1 Strike Participants (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. The term "strike" includes any strike or other concerted stoppage of work by employees, including a