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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 65

i. Death or incapacity of the principal wage earner; ii. Loss of shelter due to fire or flood; iii. Repairs to owner-occupied homes that are essential to the health and safety of the Reach Up household; iv. Repair or replacement of essential, major household appliances; v. Repair or purchase of one or more motor vehicles per Reach Up household, essential for employment, education, training or other day-to-day living necessities; A. Expenses may include the following: 1. Purchase and use tax; 2. Inspection fee; 3. Insurance; and 4. Registration fees. B. Expenses may not include day-to-day operating expenses. vi. Payments attributable to current monthly housing expenses (rule 2246) that are in excess of the maximum monthly Reach Up housing allowance; vii. Advance payments, which are payments for expenses that will be incurred after the date the lump sum income was received, up to 12 months, of any of the payment of expenses listed below. viii. Payment of expenses that meet the following criteria: A. The expenses were overdue as of the date the lump sum income was received; B. The expenses were the legal liability of the member of the Reach Up household; and

C. The Reach Up household provides documentation that the lump sum income was used to pay the expenses.

ix. Circumstances that the Department determines are substantially similar. f. Eligible payment of expenses outlined in subsections (vii) and (viii) above are restricted to those of the primary residence and would include any late charges and the following: 1. Rent, including lot rent; 2. Mortgage payments, including principal and interest; 3. Property taxes; 4. Homeowner's insurance; 5. Heating bills;