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contribution plan qualified under 26 U.S.C. § 401(k), or any similar account as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 408; and 33. Funds in a qualified child education savings account, such as the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, established in 16 V.S.A. § 2877, or any similar plan qualified under 26 U.S.C. § 529.

2258 Potential Income and Resources (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Potential sources of income or resources shall be explored to meet current or future needs of the Reach Up household. b. Steps to identify and develop potential income or resources include:

1. Filing an application for unemployment compensation for which the Reach Up household member may be entitled.

2. If a household member potentially eligible for unemployment compensation fails or refuses to apply for unemployment compensation, they shall be ineligible for Reach Up.

2259 Potential Eligibility for Pension and Other Benefit Programs (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Entitlement to social security, Supplemental Security Income, railroad retirement, veterans' benefits, or similar benefit programs will be explored with the applicant/participant.

b. Certain criteria may indicate potential or future entitlement of such benefits for these applicants/participants and their legally liable relatives, including:

1. Current age;

2. Physical or mental conditions;

3. Survivor/dependent status of applicants/participants; and

4. Employment and military service history.

c. If any member of a Reach Up household is an elderly or disabled adult, or the child of a deceased or disabled parent, and has not already applied for social security or Supplemental Security Income benefits, the household shall be referred to the nearest social security office to apply for these benefits.

2260 Insurance and Liability Claims (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Insurance, in general, provides protection against specific future or unanticipated expense or loss of income.

b. The following types of insurance owned by a Reach Up household member shall be evaluated for immediate or future potential income or resources:

1. Life insurance, as a resource for burial and/or other final expenses of the insured, and as a source of income and/or resources for a surviving beneficiary of the Reach Up household;

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Official source

Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Up Eligibility Rules Economic Services Division 2200 88

2258 Potential Income and Resources (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Potential sources of income or resources shall be explored to meet current or future needs of the Reach Up household. b. Steps to identify and develop potential income or resources include:

1. Filing an application for unemployment compensation for which the Reach Up household member may be entitled.

2. If a household member potentially eligible for unemployment compensation fails or refuses to apply for unemployment compensation, they shall be ineligible for Reach Up.

2259 Potential Eligibility for Pension and Other Benefit Programs (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Entitlement to social security, Supplemental Security Income, railroad retirement, veterans' benefits, or similar benefit programs will be explored with the applicant/participant.

b. Certain criteria may indicate potential or future entitlement of such benefits for these applicants/participants and their legally liable relatives, including:

1. Current age;

2. Physical or mental conditions;

3. Survivor/dependent status of applicants/participants; and

4. Employment and military service history.

2260 Insurance and Liability Claims (08/01/2024, 23-28)

a. Insurance, in general, provides protection against specific future or unanticipated expense or loss of income.

b. The following types of insurance owned by a Reach Up household member shall be evaluated for immediate or future potential income or resources:

1. Life insurance, as a resource for burial and/or other final expenses of the insured, and as a source of income and/or resources for a surviving beneficiary of the Reach Up household;