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.
McKee Administration Announces Opening of DHS Regional Office in Providence Published on Monday, December 18, 2023 Today the McKee Administration’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced the opening of an additional DHS regional office located at 125 Holden St., in Providence. This Providence office will provide customer service for an array of benefit applications, transactions, document scanning, and interviews. The 17,500 square-foot office is conveniently located and is accessible through public transportation and has free customer parking. A dedicated document scanning center at the new office will allow customers quick and easy access to scan their important benefits information. Customers using this service will receive a confirmation receipt and may have their documents scanned to their case in as little as 10-15 minutes. In addition to the customer service area, there will be private interview rooms, an appeals room, as well as back-office space for staff, including meeting rooms, training rooms, and a conference room. "I applaud DHS for working diligently to improve and expand customer service options for Rhode Islanders who are enrolled in benefits like Medicaid, SNAP, and RI Works," said EOHHS Secretary Richard Charest. "Although we have seen great success with many of our tech and self-serve alternatives, we know that many Rhode Islanders still need or prefer to talk to someone about their benefits in person. Having this regional office in our capital city, where we know there is great demand, will be a valuable resource for the community." “Today’s announcement is an exciting and important milestone for both DHS and those we serve. The new Holden Street office greatly improves access and the opportunity for Rhode Islanders to conduct their important benefit-related business in this customer-friendly location. This office is part of a larger effort by DHS to engage people where they are in the community, while also working to improve access to services both in-person, and through other resources such as the customer portal and HealthyRhode Mobile App, and the call center,” said DHS Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito. In addition, the agency has upgraded both its Customer Portal and mobile app to further increase access and ensure a variety of options and technologies exist to meet the different needs of beneficiaries, while also helping to improve wait times and customer experience. For a complete list of all DHS offices, hours of operation, and other important related information and resources, please visit https://dhs.ri.gov.