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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 51

3. Affected by domestic violence pursuant to Reach Up Services rule 2323.1; or 4. Needed in the home on a full-time basis to care for an ill or disabled parent, spouse, or child pursuant to Reach Up Services rule 2323.3. g. The time limit shall not apply in the following cases: 1. Single or two-parent Reach Up households with at least one parent under the age of 18; 2. A dependent child living with a non-parent caretaker, who is not in the Reach Up household; or 3. A dependent child living with a single parent who receives SSI/AABD benefits, or with two parents who both receive SSI/AABD benefits.

2234.1 Termination after 60 Months (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Reach Up households, who have received 60 or more countable cumulative months of Reach Up benefits, will have their benefits terminated when, without good cause, they are not engaged with Reach Up participant requirements (Reach Up Services rule 2311). b. Good cause shall be determined according to Reach Up Services rules 2325 and 2326.

2234.2 Reapplication after 60 Months (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. A Reach Up household whose benefits were terminated after having received 60 or more countable, cumulative months of benefits may be eligible for benefits at any time following termination.

b. Reach Up benefits shall be paid upon meeting eligibility criteria.

2235 Formation of the Reach Up Household (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. A Reach Up household is defined as one or more individuals whose requirements, income, and resources are considered as a unit to determine need for Reach Up benefits.

b. A Reach Up household must include one or more eligible dependent children.

1. In addition, the Reach Up household must include all siblings. including half-siblings, living with the dependent child or children, and qualifying under the age criteria, as defined in rule 2221.

2. A parent must be included in the Reach Up household if the parent lives in the home with a child included in the household unless the child’s legal guardian is receiving Reach Up benefits on behalf of the child, in which case the legal guardian may choose to not have the parent included in the child’s Reach Up household.

i. Both parents, if living in the same household with an eligible child, must be included in the Reach Up household, unless specified below.

ii. A parent whose residence in the home is interrupted by active duty in the United States