Appeals Process

Applicants and recipients of public assistance benefits administered by DHS have a right to appeal and receive an administrative fair hearing on any agency actions with which they do not agree. 

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Hearing Office conducts administrative fair hearings in accordance federal and state statutes, regulations and policy. 

Appeal Instructions and Forms

How to file an appeal: 

Online: Log into your customer portal account at www.HealthyRhode.ri.gov  and click on "file an appeal". 

Phone: You can file an appeal regarding Medicaid and Private Health Coverage through HealthSource RI by calling HealthSource RI at 1-855-840-HSRI (4774).  

In Person: You may submit your Appeal Form by visiting your local DHS office, placing it in a secure Drop Box, or submitting it through the Scanning Center.  

Mail: Complete an Appeal Form and mail it to: 

ATTN: Appeals STATE OF RHODE ISLAND 

P.O. Box 8709 

Cranston, RI 02920-8787 

Deadline to Appeal:  

Each program has deadlines by which an appeal must be filed to be valid. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to appeal. Please review the Appeal Rights on the Appeal Form for specific program deadlines.  

Expedited Appeals 

If you have an immediate need for health services, and waiting for a standard appeal could seriously jeopardize your life or health, you can ask for an expedited appeal. If your request is granted, you will have a hearing scheduled quickly. Expedited SNAP appeals are available for households, who plan to move out of Rhode Island before a regularly scheduled hearing would take place, and for those denied expedited SNAP benefits.  

Aid-Pending  

Some programs allow you to continue receiving benefits while your appeal is pending.  In order to receive “aid-pending” you must file your appeal within a very short period of time, usually 30 days for Medical terminations and within 10 days for termination of other program benefits such as SNAP, CCAP, RIW and GPA.  If you lose your appeal, you may need to pay back the benefits you received but were not entitled to during the aid-pending period. Please see the Appeal Rights for more information.