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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 58

1. Basic needs standards table for Reach Up (rule 2244.1);

2. Housing allowance (rule 2246), including, where applicable, the special housing allowance (rule 2244.3) and maintenance of housing during temporary absence (rule 2228); and 3. Shared households (rule 2246.2), where applicable.

c. When non-recipient members of a Reach Up household fail to contribute to household expenses, their needs shall not be budgeted as a need of the Reach Up household.

1. The Department shall encourage and assist the applicant/participant to obtain contributions from such non-recipient members at least equal to their share of household expense, as calculated above.

2244.1 Basic Needs Standards (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. The basic needs standards table published in the Reach Up Eligibility procedures is used to determine Reach Up eligibility.

b. The basic needs standards include food, fuel, utilities, clothing, personal needs and incidentals, household-related chores, and special needs required by Reach Up household members regardless of the total number of individuals residing in the household.

2244.2 Children in Schools (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Basic needs allowances for an eligible child, who is away from home to attend school, shall be included in full when the parent/caretaker is responsible for the care and supervision of the child.

b. If the parent/caretaker is no longer responsible for the care and supervision of the child, then that child may only be included in the Reach Up household if the criteria in rule 2228.2 are met.

2244.3 Special Housing Needs (08/01/2024, 23-28) a. A monthly special housing needs allowance shall be paid to Reach Up households, who have actually incurred housing expenses in excess of the maximum monthly housing allowance, as determined by rule 2246. b. For eligible Reach Up households, the amount of the special housing needs allowance shall be calculated as housing expenses in excess of the maximum monthly housing allowance, or $90, whichever is less. c. The special housing needs allowance is subject to the payment standard (rule 2239).

2245 Budgeting for Living Arrangements (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Budgeting the monthly Reach Up benefits shall include allowances for all maintenance items required in the living arrangement of the Reach Up household.

1. Allowances for maintenance of a prior living arrangement during temporary absence (rule 2228) shall be continued, under specified conditions.