Act No. 133 Page 1 of 1
2022
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General
Assembly. It is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be
exhaustive. It has been prepared by the staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without
input from members of the General Assembly. It is not intended to aid in the interpretation
of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 133 (H.464) Human services; benefit program
An act relating to miscellaneous changes to the Reach Up Program
This act makes a variety of changes to the Reach Up program. First, it amends
the definition of “dependent child” to mean an individual 18 years of age or older
who is a full-time student and expected to complete an educational program
before reaching 22 years of age (versus 19 years of age) or who is not expected to
complete a program before reaching 22 years of age (versus 19 years of age) due
to a documented disability.
This act increases the amount of income disregarded for Reach Up participants
from $250.00 to $350.00 and increases the monthly amount of child support
payments that a participating family may receive from $50.00 to $100.00.
This act requires case managers to utilize a universal engagement model and
amends existing law to employ a collaborative and empowering tone with regard
to family development and engagement. It replaces work requirements with
requirements on employment preparation, readiness, and participation.
This act removes the requirement that a deferral or modification of the work
requirement due to the existence of illness or disability be confirmed through an
independent medical review.
It amends the postsecondary education program to enable both parents in a
two-parent family to simultaneously participate in the program.
Lastly, this act appropriates $500,000.00 to the Department for Children and
Families in fiscal year 2023 to make improvements to the Department’s
information technology systems that are necessary to perform the Department’s
duties under the act.
Multiple effective dates, beginning on July 1, 2022
VT LEG #363398 v.2


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 33-1114, 33-1122
As Passed By the House -- Official: 33-1114, 33-1122, 33-1101, 33-1103, 33-1105, 33-1107, 33-1108, 33-1112, 33-1113, 33-1116
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 33-1101, 33-1103, 33-1105, 33-1107, 33-1108, 33-1112, 33-1113, 33-1114, 33-1116, 33-1122
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 33-1114, 33-1122, 33-1101, 33-1103, 33-1105, 33-1107, 33-1108, 33-1112, 33-1113, 33-1116
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 33-1101, 33-1103, 33-1105, 33-1107, 33-1108, 33-1112, 33-1113, 33-1114, 33-1116, 33-1122
As Enacted: 33-1101, 33-1103, 33-1105, 33-1107, 33-1108, 33-1112, 33-1113, 33-1114, 33-1116, 33-1122