RI DHS To Open Appointment-Only Office in Cranston’s Hazard Building
Published on Thursday, February 12, 2026
CRANSTON, RI – Rhode Island Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito today announced the agency will be opening a new appointment-only regional office in the Hazard building, located in Cranston’s Howard Complex (Pastore Campus). The office will officially open on Monday, April 6, 2026.
The DHS office, located at 195 Buttonwoods Ave., in Warwick, will be transitioning all scheduled appointments to this new office located in the Hazard Building, 41 West Road, Building 74, Cranston, RI 02920, while its last day of operation for all customers is Friday, March 13. Between March 16 and April 6, DHS customers will still be able to conduct business by telephone appointment, through online resources which are highlighted below, and walk-in offices.
Customers will be able to use the office locator tool available on the DHS website (www.dhs.ri.gov) to guide them to their specific home office at time of lookup. The tool is update continuously as the status of DHS offices change. While services can be accessed at any DHS regional office, the home office is the customer’s assigned location based on their city or town. To find your office, select your city/town from the menu and click “Apply.”
“DHS continues to focus efforts on improved customer experience for those we serve,” said DHS Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito. “Improved access, shorter wait times, and better experiences is critical. This new office ensures our customers can come at a day and time that is convenient for them, while minimizing time on the phone or waiting in line.”
Over the last several years DHS has worked hard to improve functionality on both the customer portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov) and the mobile app. In addition, extensive focus has been placed on call center improvements, creation of document scanning centers, and back-office operations.
Also, the agency is providing hands-on tech support so customers can make effective use of online services, while also modifying the SNAP interview process through the statewide SNAP Connect program.
“Opening this new regional office is part of a broader effort across state government to modernize how we deliver services,” said Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest. “Whether someone chooses to connect online, by phone or in person, our goal is a system that is efficient, accessible, and designed around the needs of the people DHS serves.”
The Hazard Building office will operate as an appointment-only facility for in-person customers serving the Warwick caseload. It will have ground-floor access, DHS-specific entry, and is located along RIPTA bus lines.
Customers needing support with Rhode Island Works (RIW), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or other DHS services can schedule their appointments in advance. Warwick caseload customers choosing in-person options will be directed to the Hazard Building for their appointments.
For customers attending scheduled in-person appointments at the Hazard Building, there will be plenty of free and convenient parking.
No Wrong Door walk-in services are available at multiple DHS offices statewide, including these locations:
⦁ Providence: 125 Holden Street
⦁ Pawtucket: 249 Roosevelt Avenue
⦁ Woonsocket: 219 Pond Street
⦁ Wakefield: 4808 Tower Hill Road, Suite G1
⦁ Middletown: 31 John Clarke Road
Additionally, every Wednesday, the community is reminded that all regional offices provide dedicated technology support, where DHS staff assist customers with customer portal setup, mobile app downloads, and other technological services. This aligns with DHS’s goal to empower customers with access to digital services 24-hours-a-day/7-days-a-week.
Customers are also encouraged to log on to the customer portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov) or use the HealthyRhode mobile app on their smartphones to accomplish program related tasks and requirements. For more information and a list of all agency regional offices please visit dhs.ri.gov.
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