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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 35

funded.

2. The rest of the households are determined as not meeting the WPR and up to 3500 (this number can be adjusted, if necessary) are categorized as SSF.

3. After that day if it turns out that a household is determined to be meeting the federal TANF WPR, the household’s funding is then changed to SSP.

2332.1 TANF Exemption from 60‐Month Limit (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Vermont may exempt some Reach Up households funded by TANF and TANF‐MOE from the 60‐ month limit on federal TANF benefits due to hardship.

b. The maximum number of households the Department may exempt from the 60‐month limit due to hardship, called the hardship exemption maximum, is 20 percent of the average monthly number of households receiving Reach Up benefits during the previous federal fiscal year.

1. If the number of households meeting the hardship exemption criteria does not exceed the maximum, all households meeting the criteria qualify for a hardship exemption.

2. If the number of qualifying households exceeds the maximum for whom federal TANF funding is allowed, some may be assigned to a component funded with SSP‐MOE or an SSF program.

3. If the number of households meeting the hardship exemption criteria exceeds the maximum and households will be assigned to an SSF program, the Department selects households qualifying for the exemption according to rule 2334.

c. Reach Up households may qualify for a hardship exemption if they meet these criteria:

1. At least one member has received 60 or more months of federal TANF benefits as an adult; and

2. The household is fully engaging in Reach Up requirements, regardless of whether those requirements are deferred.

2333 Solely State‐Funded Programs (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The Reach Up solely state‐funded (SSF) programs are:

1. The Postsecondary Education Program (PSE); 2. The Young Child Deferment Component (rule 2333.1) of the Reach Up Program; 3. The Sanctioned Minor Parent Component (rule 2333.2) of the Reach Up Program; and 4. The Additional Support Component (rule 2333.3) of the Reach Up Program. b. The Department determines eligibility and benefits levels for PSE applicants/participants according to Reach Up rules and the PSE rules in 2400‐2427. c. The Department determines eligibility and benefit levels for SSF programs, other than PSE, according to the Reach Up and Reach Up Services rules in 2200‐2341.