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.
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.
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.
P-EBT Expanding to Children Under 6 who also Receives SNAP Published on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 The Rhode Island Department of Human Services continues to work with schools and the RI Department of Education (RIDE) to issue monthly P-EBT benefits to households with school age children who receive free and reduced-price meals at school through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), but were unable to receive those meals at school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are entitled to this benefit if the school is closed or has been operating with reduced attendance or hours for at least 5 consecutive days in the current school year. On average, 50,000 children have received P-EBT each month. Starting this month, as early as May 20th, with a change recently approved by the federal government, all children under age 6 who also receive SNAP benefits are now eligible for P-EBT. Eligibility for this benefit is based on the operating status of the schools in the area of the child's residence. Since all schools in Rhode Island have been open at least partially since October 1, 2020, all eligible children under age 6 will receive a standard monthly benefit based on 11 days per month of eligibility ($75.02 per month). The first payment to SNAP children under age 6 will be issued on or about May 20, 2021 . This will be a retroactive payment for October 2020 to March 2021. The next payment (for April 2021) will be issued on or about May 28, 2021. Going forward, monthly P-EBT payments will be distributed during the third week of each month for the previous month's benefit. Benefits will be placed on their existing SNAP EBT card each month. Eligible school-age P-EBT recipients will continue to get their monthly benefits during the second week of the month for the previous month. The frequently asked questions document on our P-EBT page has been updated to reflect this news. Should you have additional questions, our partners at United Way 2-1-1 remain available to assist families with P-EBT needs. Just call 2-1-1.