Page 6

Vermont Department for Children and Families Postsecondary Education Rules Economic Services Division

2400

6

b. Such application may be obtained online or by calling, writing, or visiting any of the Department’s offices.

c. Assistance in completing all parts of the application shall be available through Department district offices, pursuant to rule 2407. 2404 Financial Eligibility (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. To proceed with the application process, the Department must first determine that the applicant meets the requirements for financial eligibility for the PSE program. b. The applicant shall complete a financial eligibility application, including provision of documentation to support a determination of financial eligibility. c. Applicants for PSE benefits must meet the same financial eligibility qualifications as Reach Up applicants according to Reach Up Eligibility rules. 1. The 60-month time limit (Reach Up Eligibility rule 2234) does not apply to PSE recipients.

d. PSE benefits shall be accepted in lieu of Reach Up benefits, if the PSE participant is eligible for Reach Up benefits.

1. PSE participants currently receiving Reach Up benefits through vendor payments, due to difficulty in money management (Reach Up Eligibility rule 2220.1), must consent to continued vendor payments until such time as the household's essential expenses are current. e. PSE participants who receive PSE benefits shall assign all child support rights to the Department. 1. The PSE participant shall apply for services from the Vermont Office of Child Support (OCS), if not already receiving such services, and cooperate fully with the OCS in their efforts to collect the assigned support. 2. The Department shall deny or terminate benefits to PSE participants who fail or refuse to apply for services from OCS.

3. Noncooperation with OCS shall result in a 25% reduction of the PSE household's benefit (Reach Up Eligibility rule 2232.2).

2404.1 Financial Eligibility Determination (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. Applicants shall demonstrate financial eligibility for the thirty-day period preceding the date of application.

b. Gross income shall be the basis for determining financial eligibility for the PSE program.

c. Verification of income shall be provided in accordance with Reach Up Eligibility rules 2208.3.

d. The household's gross income minus the PSE participant's earnings shall not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level for the applicant's household size.

e. Income shall be determined using Reach Up Eligibility rules 2248 - 2249.