Additional Help for SNAP Recipients and Rhode Island Works Families

RIBridges Alert

Alert for DHS customers about a recent data breach. Click here for more info.

Applications Update

There is an important update regarding application reviews. For more information, visit: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services

Applying for Benefits

The customer portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov and the HealthyRhode mobile app) is not available because of the data breach. You can apply for all benefits by phone by calling 1-855-697-4347, in person at a DHS office, or by mail. Visit https://dhs.ri.gov/apply-now for more information. Please click here to find application assistance.

RIBridges Updates

The RIBridges system managed by Deloitte is currently offline, and the State is working closely with Deloitte to address the cybersecurity threat and bring the system back online. The programs managed through the RIBridges system include but are not limited to: Medicaid, HSRI medical coverage, SNAP, RI Works, CCAP, LTSS, GPA, LTSS, and At Home Cost Share. Customers can take steps today to protect themselves, utilizing credit freezes, fraud alerts, and updating passwords. Any customer who sees suspicious activity on their EBT card should change their PIN. Changing your EBT PIN frequently, before or around the time of benefit issuance, is a fraud prevention best practice to protect your benefits. To change your PIN, call ebtEdge at 1-888-979-9939. Additional instructions on how to protect your benefits can be found here.

-Please be advised benefits for the month of December for most programs have already been disbursed.

-DHS regional offices remain open and are processing paper applications and forms at this time.

- The Call Center (1-855-697-4347) will be offering extended hours Monday-Wednesday ( Jan. 13-17). and take incoming calls from 4-7 p.m. to assist all callers in the queue.

Fair Hearing - How to Request Without Web (Mail, Call, Visit)

While the customer portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov and the HealthyRhode mobile app) is not available, fair hearings can only be requested by phone, in person, or by mail.

To file an appeal regarding Medicaid and Purchased Health Coverage through HealthSource RI, call HealthSource RI at 1-855-840-HSRI (4774). For questions about filing an appeal for human services programs such as SNAP, RIW, Child Care, GPA, or SSP call the Department of Human Services at 1-855-MY-RI-DHS (1-855-697-4347).

To request a fair hearing in person, please visit your nearest DHS office.

To request a fair hearing by mail, please mail your completed Appeal Form to PO Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920.

For more information about the fair hearing process, please visit the Appeals Office page.

Additional Help for SNAP Recipients and Rhode Island Works Families

Published on Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Starting June 10, 2020 for the first time, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants will be able to select and pay for their groceries online using their EBT card at Amazon and at participating Walmart stores. Households can purchase the same food online that they would normally purchase in the store at Walmart.

As Governor Raimondo recently remarked, we want families and individuals to have as many food access options as possible, particularly if they are sick or have underlying health conditions and need to stay home.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) also recently received approval to issue a Rhode Island Works emergency payment to families currently receiving these RI Works benefits. This payment is to help offset expenses that may have occurred during this pandemic. The $1.6M through the CARES Act will help 3,700 Rhode Island Works families and is a one-time payment for families who were eligible in either April or May and are receiving benefits in June. The funds will be put on parents' EBT cards on June 19, 2020.