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.
Resources The following are more resources about LTSS options, community partners who can also help and other useful information for older Rhode Islanders. The Point The Point helpdesk is a free resource provided by our division, the Office of Healthy Aging, and its partnership with United Way 2-1-1, to help older adults, people living with disabilities and caregivers explore options from healthcare planning, employment opportunities and more. The Point helpdesk is available 24/7 by calling (401) 462-4444 (voice), 2-1-1 or (401) 462-4445 (TTY). You can also visit one of OHA's six Point offices during business hours. Find the one closest to you by going here. @Home Care OHA's @Home Care options programs include in-home supports, its senior companion program, adult day health programming, and/or assisted living services. Learn more by calling The Point. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services lists several Home and Community Based Services, including community partners. Find more here. Ocean State Center for Independent Living The Ocean State Center for Independent Living is a non-residential , consumer-driven, community-based, cross-disability, non-profit organization. OSCIL was established in 1988 to provide a range of independent living services to enhance, through self-direction, the quality of life for persons with disability and to promote integration into the community. Seven Hills Foundation Seven Hills Foundation provides integrated clinical, educational and community-based supports to children and adults with disabilities and significant life challenges. Caregiver Homes of Rhode Island Caregiver Homes of Rhode Island is a community-based program that helps families provide high-quality, 24-hour care for older adults at home. PACE-Rhode Island PACE-Rhode Island is a not-for-profit health plan that cares for adults age 55 and older. Over the past 15 years, PACE-RI has served more than 1,000 participants across Rhode Island. Finding a senior center Find a senior center near you by going here. Food Assistance Need food? Learn about our SNAP program here or view our older adults SNAP poster here. More food and nutrition information for older adults can be found here. OHA Case Management OHA Case Management programs provide assessment and care planning to assist Rhode Islanders, 60 and older, who meet certain requirements, to remain at home for as long as possible. Below is a list of Case Management Agencies. Child & Family Services of Newport County Serving: Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Providence, Tiverton (401) 849-2300 East Bay Community Action Serving: Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Warren (401) 437-1000 Meals on Wheels of RI Providence County (401) 351-6700 Tri-Town Community Action Agency (Northern RI) Serving: Burrillville, Cranston, Cumberland, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Scituate, Woonsocket (401) 349-5760 Main website Tri-Town Community Action Agency (Southern RI) Serving: New Shoreham (Block Island), Charlestown, Coventry, Exeter, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, Saunderstown, South Kingstown, West Greenwich, Westerly (401) 789-3016 Main website Westbay Community Action Serving: East Greenwich, Warwick, West Greenwich, West Warwick (401) 732-4660