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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 56

ii. If net income is less than the payment standard, the difference is the payment amount (rule 2242). 5. Round the result in step 4 down to the nearest whole dollar for the payment amount (rule 2239).

c. When sanctions apply, the Reach Up household’s benefit is calculated in the following order:

1. First, deduct any sanctions imposed due to noncooperation with the pursuit of child support;

2. Second, deduct any sanctions imposed due to non-engagement in Reach Up participant requirements; and

3. Third, deduct any recoupment of previous Reach Up overpayments.

d. For households reapplying for Reach Up solely because of loss of child support refer to rule 2232.6 for eligibility computation.

2241 Prospective Eligibility and Budgeting (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. All factors of eligibility and the basic need standard, including shelter costs, shall be determined prospectively for all Reach Up households for all payment months.

1. "Prospective eligibility" means that eligibility for any given month is determined by estimating as accurately as possible whether all eligibility factors will be met during that month.

2. "Prospective budgeting" means that the amount of payment for any given month will be based on the best estimate of income and circumstances that will exist in that month.

i. In prospective budgeting the budget month and payment month are the same. b. Payment shall be determined prospectively for all Reach Up households, including those sanctioned for not engaging in the Reach Up participant requirements, based on the Department's best estimate of the Reach Up household's circumstances.

1. This estimate is derived from information collected and documented at initial application, reapplication and at each subsequent review of eligibility, including recertification, interim report and changes of circumstances.

c. Information about circumstances during the most recent calendar month shall be the basis of the estimate of the Reach Up household's circumstances during the remainder of the recertification period until, and unless, a change in circumstances is reported or otherwise identified.

2242 Amount of Benefit Paid (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. The Reach Up benefit payment shall be the result of the eligibility computation (rule 2240) rounded down to the nearest whole dollar amount.

b. Except for Reach Up households receiving parent share payments (rule 2250.2), no payment shall be made to a Reach Up household in any month in which the amount of benefits is determined to be less than $10.00 for that month, prior to any recoupment applied to the benefit.