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.
Child Care Providers DHS' first priority is to protect the health and safety of all children and families served in child care programs statewide, before and during the current global pandemic. Our Office of Child Care staff, including the licensing team, is vital to that goal along with our vendors, other DHS workers and community partners who help extend our reach. There isn't anything in the child care industry, which is key to the State's economy, that this office doesn't have a hand in or oversee, advocate for and supply support to. Much of this work is in addition to administering the Starting RIght Child Care Assistance Program. The following is information and resources for the State's child care providers. Provider Information Provider Applications CCAP Provider Rates, Financial Info & Portal Background Checks CCAP for Child Care Staff Pilot COVID-19 Child Care Playbook (English & Español) Child Care Resource Guide English (June 2023) Child Care Resource Guide Spanish (June 2023) Child Care Resource Guide Portuguese (June 2023) Provider Resources & Support Child Care Resources, Forms and Handbooks Market Rate Survey Quality Initiatives Workforce Development State Plans Children's Cabinet Funding Opportunities