33 V.S.A. § 2210: Household responsibilities

(a) Within the funds appropriated for this purpose, a household shall qualify for services under the Program if the household:

(1) is physically present and intends to reside in Vermont as evidenced by active participation in a housing, employment, or other Agency of Human Services–recognized plan;

(2) agrees to a coordinated entry assessment that prioritizes the household for permanent housing, unless explicitly exempt under this chapter;

(3) agrees to engage with a case manager to develop a housing plan, unless explicitly exempt from case management requirements under this chapter or by federal law; and

(4) abides by Program rules and refrains from misconduct.

(b)(1) The Office or a community partner shall provide clear written notice to all applicants regarding penalties for fraud at the time of application.

(2) The Office or a community partner shall not impose a penalty upon a household for a good faith, immaterial error that was corrected upon notice within a reasonable period of time.

(3) A household that knowingly provides false, misleading, or incomplete information regarding residency, disability status, household composition, or other eligibility criteria shall be subject to termination of services within 30 days after receiving written notice from the Department or a community partner.

(4) Pending the outcome of a relevant Human Services Board hearing, the Office may refer cases of suspected fraud to the Office of the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney for investigation and prosecution under applicable State law.

(c) A household may be terminated from the Program for repeatedly refusing suitable placements following documented suitability assessments and reasonable accommodations.

(d) A member or members of an eligible household may be subject to immediate termination of services as necessary for the safety of others if the member or members are engaged in:

(1) criminal activity; or

(2) misconduct that is not related to a disability or to victimization related to abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

(e) As used in this section, “misconduct” means documented behaviors that materially endanger the safety of others, involve the intentional destruction of property, or constitute illegal activity.