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.
Choosing the Right Setting Choosing the right setting is an important decision. Below is information to help you make the correct choice for you or your loved one. Home and Community Based Settings Many older adults and people with disabilities who want to stay in their own homes cannot do so without help. The programs that can help you or someone you care for live comfortably and safely at home are called Home and Community Based Services. Learn more about them here. Nursing Homes When a nursing home is the best option, it is important that you visit facilities you are interested in, take a tour and meet the staff. You can visit state and federal website to help you find nursing homes in your area. It is important to remember that you must have the highest level of need to qualify for Medicaid LTSS coverage in a nursing home. See Choosing a Nursing Home on the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) website. Go to www.medicare.gov and select "Find nursing homes". This will take you to the Nursing Home Compare page so you can search by area. Data gathered by RI state inspectors is fed into this national system. Thinking About Leaving the Nursing Home? If you are Medicaid eligible and if you are interested in the possibility of leaving the nursing home, there is a program that can help you make that decision. It’s called the Nursing Home Transition Program. Our staff within the Office of Community Programs will work with you to assess whether you would be able to leave the nursing home. They will meet with you and your family, if appropriate, to develop a network of services to meet your needs. If you decide to leave the nursing home, the Transition Team will be with you to make sure that you have the services you need and that the change goes smoothly. Along with the Transition Team, you may have a case manager in the community who will stay in touch with you and make sure you get the care and services you need. You have a choice. If you are interested or want to learn more about the Nursing Home Transition Program, call (401) 462-6393