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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Ahead Rules Economic Services Division 2502

Eligibility

2502 Eligibility (03/01/2017, 17-02)

In addition to the eligibility criteria enumerated below, Reach Ahead eligibility is limited to families who met the financial and non-financial eligibility qualifications for and received financial assistance from Reach Up or the Postsecondary Education Program. The 60-month time limit (rule 2238) does not apply to Reach Ahead eligibility.

2502.1 Initial Eligibility

To initially qualify for Reach Ahead, families must meet all of the following eligibility criteria.

A. Meet the definition of family; B. live in Vermont; C. leave the Reach Up or Postsecondary Education Program on or after April 1, 2009 and apply for Reach Ahead within the six months directly following the last month in which the family received financial assistance in Reach Up or the Postsecondary Education program;

D. be receiving income from unsubsidized employment; and

E. include at least one work-eligible adult who is meeting the full, unmodified Reach Up work requirement applicable to the family’s size and composition as established in Reach Up rule with hours in unsubsidized employment.

2502.2 Ongoing Eligibility

After the determination of initial eligibility, the family must continue to meet the following eligibility criteria for the duration of participation in the program.

A. Meet the definition of family; B. live in Vermont; C. Provide verification under Reach Up rules at the times specified below:

1. If there is no change in work hours or family members after eligibility is determined, the work eligible adult(s) meeting the work requirement shall verify work hours and income at 6-month intervals of consecutive months of participation. If feasible, income verification may be done at the same time as food stamps recertification.

2. If there is a change in the family members or the work hours of the work-eligible adult(s) in the family, the family must notify the department of the change within the timeframes required by Reach Up rules and, if necessary, the department will determine if there is ongoing eligibility or a change to the work requirement.

D. Failure to provide verification when requested and in accordance with these rules will result in termination from the program.

2502.3 Resumption of Eligibility After a Break in Participation

A. A break in Reach Ahead participation occurs when the family does not receive any food assistance in a month.