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.
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.
DHS to Issue Annual Clothing Allowance for Eligible Rhode Island Households Published on Thursday, August 04, 2022 A revision was made to this press release for further clarity This week, the RI Department of Human Services (DHS) is issuing the annual clothing allowance to all eligible children in a Rhode Island Works (RIW) household. A $100 clothing allowance per eligible child will be issued to the household’s electronic benefit transfer card (EBT) and will be available for use on Saturday, August 6, 2022. The benefit will be issued to approximately 2,589 households and represents more than $500,000 in federal funds being disbursed to eligible RIW recipients. Households that become eligible for RIW in the month of August, but after the initial issuance, will receive the allowance towards the end of the month. This is an annual program to assist families in buying clothes for their children in advance of the upcoming school year. In addition, through General Assembly support, the benefit has again been extended for parents/guardians with infants. Eligibility details for the August clothing allowance issuance include: Children currently receiving RIW benefits and payments Children who reside in a RIW household and who are related siblings, but do not receive RIW benefits, so long as they are eligible citizens Dependent children 19 or younger on December 31, 2022, who lived in an eligible RIW household during the month of August 2022 Important note for all beneficiaries, parents, or guardians: not all stores accept EBT. If you choose to shop at a store that cannot accept EBT, you may withdraw the money from your EBT account before shopping. Normal ATM fees will apply. RIW is a financial and employment assistance program for parents and families with little to no income who have children high school age or younger.