Reach Ahead helps families transition from Vermont's Reach Up or Postsecondary Education (PSE) program to work.
Who is eligible
To be eligible:
- You must live in Vermont
- Your family must include minor children
- Your Reach Up or PSE grant must have closed within the last six months
- At least one adult in your family must meet the work requirement through paid employment
- You can't exceed your lifetime limit for Reach Ahead (24 months)
What help Reach Ahead provides
Reach Ahead may provide the following benefits for up to 24 months:
- Support to help you keep a job. This could include, for example, cash incentives for working and help paying for car repairs, work clothes, and work supplies.
- A 100% child care subsidy. You’ll get the maximum subsidy available. This means you won’t have to pay as much out of pocket.
- A cash benefit to help you buy food. You’ll get $50 a month for the first 12 months and $5 a month for the remaining 12.
How to get Reach Ahead
If you're eligible, we will automatically enroll you in Reach Ahead when your Reach Up or PSE grant closes. You won’t have to fill out an application or enrollment form to start getting benefits. But you might have to complete a review at some point to keep getting them.
A few other things you should know:
- You can opt out of automatic enrollment if you don’t want to get Reach Ahead.
- If you’re not eligible for Reach Ahead when your Reach Up or PSE grant closes (or you opt out), you can apply within 6 months from the date your grant closed.
- If you want the child care subsidy and work supports, you’ll need to talk to your case manager to make arrangements. The cash benefit is automatic.
- You’ll get your cash benefit on an EBT card. It can only be spent on food items allowed by 3SquaresVT.
Where to get more information
- Talk to your case manager or call 1-800-479-6151.
- Read this document: What You Need To Know About Reach Ahead.
Families will be empowered, connected and thriving.