STATEVermontReach Up

Vermont Reach Up

Reach Up is Vermont’s version of TANF that helps families with children by providing temporary cash assistance for basic necessities and other services that support work and self-sufficiency.

Services include employment placement, job training, career counseling, and help with college through the Post Secondary Education (PSE) Program.

As a condition of eligibility, Reach Up recipients who aren’t exempt are required to work at least 30 hours a week or participate in approved activities that will lead to a job. 1

FAQ

Who is eligible for Reach Up Vermont?

To be eligible for Reach Up, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
  2. Be a resident of the state of Vermont.
  3. Be pregnant or have a child under age 19.
  4. Be unemployed or under employed for very low wages.
  5. Have countable income within certain limits shown below.

The following table contains the combined basic need standards used to determine eligibility for Reach Up.

Family Size
Income Limit
1
$644
2
$942
3
$1,236
4
$1,478
5
$1,733
6
$1,907
7
$2,203
8
$2,458

In Vermont, a family is considered “needy” when their countable income is less than $1,236 a month for a family of three.

How much is welfare in Vermont?

Eligible families of three may receive up to $856 per month for a lifetime total of 60 months. Benefit rates are slightly higher in Chittenden County. 2

Eligibility depends on your income, resources, living expenses, who lives with you, your ability to work, and other factors.

Reach Up recipients may also be eligible for Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP), also known as child care subsidy. 3

Additional benefits may include:

  1. Reach Up Emergency Rental Assistance
  2. Vermont MOMS
  3. Free Weatherization Services

Reach First does the same for parents in short-term financial crisis who will likely no longer need help in four months or less. A cash benefit may be provided in a lump sum or in payments, based on the families’ needs.

How do I apply for welfare in Vermont?

Application for Reach Up can be made online via myBenefits or in person at your local district office. To request for paper application, call (800) 479-6151.

After your application is filed, an interview will be arranged, either by phone or in person, to determine your eligibility. In most cases, you’re expected to attend an orientation as part of the application process.

For additional details about Reach Up, visit
http://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/reachup

Footnotes

  1. Applicants in families with two parents who are able to work are referred to the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) for immediate job search. ↩

  2. Evaluation of Reach Up. January 2022. ↩

  3. Families leaving Reach Up who enrolled in Reach Ahead may receive a full child care subsidy in addition to a small food benefit for up to one year. ↩

VermontIncentive Grant