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.
State is Now Mandating Child Care Sites, Center and Family, to Close Published on Monday, March 30, 2020 PROVIDENCE, R.I. - On March 29, 2020, the State announced it is now mandating, and no longer just advising, all child care providers (centers and families) to close. As a result, the Department of Human Services suspended all child care licenses issued pursuant to R.I. General Laws § 42-12.5-1 et seq. This emergency suspension is in effect from March 30, 2020 through April 30, 2020. The State is going to reevaluate child care license suspensions on a week by week basis. No action is required for the reinstatement of licenses once the suspension is lifted. At this time, suspending child care licenses is imperative to protecting the public health, safety and welfare of Rhode Islanders against the spread of COVID-19. The State is still partnering with Care.com for caregiver help. Announced on March 24, 2020, RI workers (not just frontline workers as was initially announced) looking for child care can visit Care.com/rineed to find a local caregiver. Rhode Island residents interested in becoming caregivers can visit Care.com/rigive to register. Care.com is offering 90 days of free service for its website, and not the child care itself. Care.com (rineed) Care.com (rigive)