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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 32

2330 Forgiveness of Past Sanctions (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Eliminating past sanctions is referred to as forgiving the sanctions.

b. Under limited circumstances, past sanctions may be forgiven, and the Department will no longer consider them in determining the amount and effect of future sanctions.

c. The forgiveness of past sanctions is only available during the first 60 months a household receives Reach Up benefits.

d. To have prior sanctions forgiven, a sanctioned participant must demonstrate 12 consecutive months of engaging in Reach Up services requirements.

e. Subsequent acts of non‐engagement by the participant, who has completed a successful 12‐month sanctions forgiveness period, shall be calculated without consideration of their prior forgiven sanctions.

2331 Notice and Appeal of Reach Up Services Decisions (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Reach Up applicants/participants have a right to notice (rule 2330.1) and appeal of actions the Department takes on their case or required actions the Department fails to take (rule 2330.2).

b. The Department shall provide notice to all applicants/participants of their right to appeal to the Human Services Board for a fair hearing concerning the Department's actions or inactions and shall provide them with notice of their rights and the procedures applicable to such appeals.

2331.1 Notice of Appeal Rights (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The Department shall provide all Reach Up applicants/participants with written notice of their appeal rights at the time of their application and each time they receive notice of any Department adverse action or decision.

1. Department adverse actions are decisions that may deny, modify, or terminate a Reach Up applicant's/participant's benefits.

b. The written notice shall include: 1. The reasons for the adverse action or decision; 2. How appeals may be initiated; 3. Where a person may obtain a copy of the Human Services Board rules; 4. Where to obtain legal assistance, if needed; and 5. How to obtain interpretation services, if needed.

2331.2 Grounds for Appeal of Reach Up Services Decision (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Generally, an applicant/participant that disagrees with the Department may appeal the following actions or inaction by the Department:

1. Denial of their claim for Reach Up benefits or services;