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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 83

1. If such resource exceeds the combined resources limitation, the Reach Up benefits will end.

2256.1 Liquid Assets (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Liquid assets are defined as cash, or assets that can readily be converted to cash and include:

1. Interest on savings accounts only at time of initial Reach Up application and at each recertification;

2. Stocks, bonds, and other securities shall be evaluated at the current market or redemption value; and

3. The principal due on outstanding notes and/or mortgages payable to a Reach Up household member.

b. Loans, grants and scholarships obtained and used, regardless of source, for a specific purpose that precludes their use for current living costs, shall be excluded as a liquid asset (rule 2257).

c. In those cases where resources are close to the combined resources limitation, verification of accrued interest shall be required. 2256.2 Trust Funds /Trust Accounts (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Evaluation of trust funds/trust accounts as a countable resource shall consider the terms of the trust.

b. The value of the trust fund/trust account principal that can be made immediately available to a Reach Up household member shall be considered a countable resource.

c. Unless prohibited by terms of the trust fund/trust account, accrued interest shall be considered as income in the month received and a resource thereafter.

d. The value of the trust fund/trust account principal that cannot be made immediately available shall be excluded as a countable resource.

e. Any special provisions for use of the trust fund/trust account principal shall be evaluated as a future or potential resource, including the recoupment of an overpayment.

2256.3 Burial Plots - Funeral Agreements (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. One burial plot for each Reach Up household member may be excluded as a resource.

b. One funeral agreement per member may also be excluded, provided the equity value of the agreement does not exceed $1500.

2256.4 Annuities (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Annuities must be included as a Reach Up household resource unless the household can demonstrate that these funds are not and cannot be made available to them.

b. In counting resources of households with annuities, the total cash value must be counted minus the