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.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) WAP helps income-eligible households reduce heating bills by providing whole house energy efficiency services to households that qualify for LIHEAP. Some services available include installing insulation and providing health and safety measures including: installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, reducing drafts, and providing proper ventilation. Your local CAP agency will walk you through the application process, but here are some important points: Community Action Program (CAP) agencies take WAP applications throughout the year. Applicants should first apply for LIHEAP at their local CAP agency. Both homeowners and renters (with landlord approval) are eligible for WAP. CAP agencies provide convenient, safe intake locations and will arrange for older adults or disabled individuals to apply at an intake site. CAP agencies have procedures to allow non-English speakers and people with literacy problems to apply for assistance and comply with application requirements. Learn more and how to apply by contacting your local Community Action Program agency. Want to become a Weatherization Contractor? Learn more here. After a brief suspension of this program due to COVID-19, homes visits resumed in the fall of 2020. Below are the reopening guidelines and documents needed to prevent further spread. Reopening Guidelines Weatherization Reopening Guidelines PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes COVID-19 WAP Agreement RIWAP-IES-COVID-19 Agreement Final 7/28 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes COVID-19 WAP Screening Checklist RIWAP-IES-COVID-19 Screening Checklist-final PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes