Attention RI SNAP Beneficiaries Please be aware there is currently fraudulent activity taking place in other states affecting SNAP Benefits on EBT cards. While we do not believe there is any activity of this nature currently taking place in Rhode Island, please be advised you will never be asked to sign up for instant cash benefits or be asked to provide personal information, your card number, or PIN. If you ever receive a call, email, text, or social media invitation to do so, never click any links or provide the requested information.Please know, ebtEdge will never request this type of information from you. Please remember to protect yourself by changing your PIN frequently – using a different PIN each time – or by freezing your card. If you are uncertain about or confused by a suspicious inquiry, please contact DHS and call the EBT customer service line at 1-888-979-9939 to change your PIN. You can find more information on how best to protect yourself from possible SNAP-related fraud here.
Call Center Update DHS offices will be closed July 4 in observance of the holiday. To help ensure customers have ample opportunity to connect with DHS staff the week of July 4, the Call Center will adjust its schedule to take incoming calls Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Call Center will return to its normal schedule the following week.
Summer EBT Update This summer, families with school-age children who were income-eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2023-2024 school year will receive SUN Bucks (formerly Summer EBT), a $120 dollar benefit per child that can be used to buy groceries. Families will either see the benefit added to their SNAP EBT card or to a separate SUN Bucks card that will be mailed this month. Benefits will be available to use beginning July 1. If you have questions about SUN bucks, please call United Way of Rhode Island at 2-1-1. Additional information about SUN buck can be found here: https://dhs.ri.gov/sun-bucks
Translation Services Available If you are seeking information about DHS programs and services in a language other than English, translation services are available to you at no cost. Persons with disabilities requiring another form of communication, such as auxiliary aids for hearing and the visually impaired, can inform DHS about their needs so appropriate accommodations can be made.
About Us Who We Are As an agency committed to access and achievement, the vision for the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) is that all Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to thrive at home, work and in the community. DHS works hand-in-hand with community partners and resources throughout our great State to deliver critical benefits, supports and services to more than 300,000 families, adults, children, older adults, individuals with disabilities and veterans every year. We are part of the solution to end poverty and food insecurity and we make a lasting, positive impact on the State’s health and future. More specifically, DHS strives to guarantee: Families are strong, productive, healthy, and independent. Adults are healthy and reach their maximum potential. Children are safe, healthy, ready to learn and reach their full potential. Child Care providers deliver high quality education services. Older Adults and Seniors and individuals with disabilities receive all necessary services to enhance their quality of life. Veterans are cared for and honored. DHS believes in continuous improvement. We have guiding principles and a strategic plan with strategies to help us operate as efficiently as possible and always support the whole family. Learn more about the Department’s progress with our year end reflections. We also have our 2021 Legislative Priorities that you can find below. DHS Guiding Principles PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DHS Legislative Priorities FY25 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Goals and Priorities PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Leadership Kimberly Merolla-Brito has more than 23 years of state service. She currently serves as director of the RI Department of Human Services. Prior to leading the department since August 2022, Brito served as the deputy director for policy and operations since 2017. In her previous role, Kim was responsible for assisting the director in ensuring effective operations and service delivery to more than 300,000 people. In addition, she maintained agency policy and oversight, process improvement efforts, staff training and development, and other leadership duties. From 2015 to 2017, Kim served as associate director, policy and operations, at RI DHS, providing oversight and strategic management of policy/planning activities, quality control improvement, and overall operations coordination. From 2009 to 2015, she served as administrator, policy and research, also at DHS. Kim first joined state service in 1998 as a social caseworker at the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). Kim is also a licensed independent clinical social worker. She received both her Master of Social Work and her Bachelor of Social Work from Rhode Island College. Kim is extremely active in various community service efforts including membership on the LaSalle Academy Executive Board, RI Commission on Women and Girls, and previously serving on the National Child Welfare Leadership Institute.