DHS Issues Additional Pandemic Related Cash Payment to Eligible RI Works Households

Published on Thursday, July 28, 2022

This week, the RI Department of Human Services (DHS) will be disbursing an additional benefit amount of $370 for each eligible child who previously received Rhode Island Works benefits. Funded through the Pandemic Emergency Allotment Fund provided by the federal government, the one-time payment will provide temporary relief from inflation related costs experienced by RI Works households.

“Everyone has seen the price of goods rise due to nationwide inflation, but those costs may weigh more heavily for customers who are receiving essential public benefits to pay for food, housing, transportation, or utilities,” said DHS Acting Director Yvette M. Mendez. “Every dollar our customers receive matters. We appreciate the support from our federal partners to help ease the costs of raising a family for RI Works households.”

To be eligible for the additional benefit, families must have been enrolled in RI Works and have dependent children who received benefits from September 1, 2021, through May 30, 2022.  Families may have more than one eligible dependent child for the extra allotment.  

The additional issuance amounts to approximately $2.7 million in total benefits for 7,325 children in eligible RI Works households.

Benefits will be disbursed on the household’s EBT card. These benefits will be expunged if families do not use the funds within 90 days. Eligible RI Works households will receive a notice in the mail about the extra allotment.

Regular issuances of RI Works benefits are issued on the 1st and 16th of each month.