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.
Refugee DHS Benefits Refugees are immediately eligible for benefits. These are crucial to their survival in a new country and are essential supports until they can become gainfully employed, which they are expected to be within a year. Agencies to help refugees apply for and get the benefits below as well as additional resources can be found here. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) SNAP helps low-income individuals and families purchase food. Recipients can use SNAP benefits, which are given monthly, to buy food at local grocery stores, markets, and farmers markets that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. A household’s income (earned and unearned), certain allowable deductions, and other criteria are used to determine eligibility. Refugee Cash Assistance A federally-funded program that helps refugee adults without children by providing cash assistance during their first eight months in the U.S. adults without children Rhode Island Works (RIW) RIW provides cash assistance to eligible families in need of support and also provides individualized and family supportive services, job readiness, preparation and placement, employment or vocational training and retention services. Medicaid The Medicaid Program provides comprehensive medical coverage low-income families with children, pregnant women, older adults and persons with disabilities and special needs who otherwise might not be able to pay for or get access to affordable health care. Child Care Assistance (CCAP) CCAP is available to certain Rhode Island families to cover child care costs for the hours parent/guardians are working or training. Families may be required to pay a co-payment based in their household size and income level. How do I apply? All the details for applying for these benefits can be found here. There are also agencies that can help refugees with applying and they can be found here.