Together is How RI Succeeds: A COVID-19 Update from Our Agencies

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.

Together is How RI Succeeds: A COVID-19 Update from Our Agencies

Published on Monday, May 04, 2020

COVID-19 has challenged the State in many new ways, and we likely have yet to realize many other obstacles. The need to physically distance ourselves for the health and safety of everyone has increased the need for public benefits for many Rhode Islanders, particularly those who have found themselves now out of work.

Not only is the State committed to protecting existing services, but we have worked tirelessly to respond to additional needs of our residents and our committed providers. Given we share many valued community partners, we plan to send combined, regular updates like this first one to all of you who help extend our reach throughout Rhode Island and amplify our news in the communities and vulnerable populations who need us most.