SNAP Connect DHS has introduced SNAP Connect to provide customers with more flexibility and convenience when completing an interview as part of their initial application or renewal. With SNAP Connect, customers will be able to call in for their interview at a time and date that is convenient for the customer. A pilot for SNAP Connect will begin in January 2025. Read the full release here: https://dhs.ri.gov/press-releases/ri-dhs-introduces-snap-connect-providing-freedom-beneficiaries-choose-date-and-time
Technology Adoption Days Technology Adoption Days provide customers with weekly opportunities every Wednesday to learn how to access the Customer Portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov) and mobile app. Through this initiative, customers will learn how to make the best use of DHS's digital resources to access and update their cases anytime and anywhere. Read the full release here: https://dhs.ri.gov/press-releases/ri-dhs-launches-technology-adoption-days-mobile-app-and-customer-portal-support
Interpretation Services Available If you are seeking information about DHS programs and services in a language other than English, please be advised that interpretation services and/or interpreters 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.
SNAP Outreach Toolkit DHS is currently partnering with community organizations to help Rhode Islanders learn about the availability, application process, eligibility requirements and benefits of SNAP. Listed below is their contact information. These community organizations provide application assistance (online or paper) and answer questions about SNAP as well as help with reporting changes, the completion of recertifications, interim reports and other matters related to SNAP benefits. At the bottom of the community partner list is a tab where you can find informational materials about SNAP. All subrecipients listed below follow federal regulations protecting Civil Rights. They comply with the following: In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of, race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. SNAP Outreach Vendors The following are the names of the SNAP Outreach vendors, their target audience, service areas and contact information. The SNAP Outreach vendors listed below may be contacted for any special event or SNAP-related training requests as well. Center for Southeast Asians (CSEA) The most critical target population is low-income, nonparticipating Rhode Islanders who are Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian and Vietnamese who may qualify for SNAP, but services will also be provided to other cultures including a sizable Latinx community and new refugees from war-torn countries, such as Syria, Burma, Bhutan, Liberia, and Nigeria. Additionally, people who may be taking part in SNAP but have questions or need help understanding or responding to program notices or paperwork requirements. The Subrecipient will focus on activities in the following service areas: Statewide with the highest concentration of Southeast Asian communities in Providence, Cranston, Warwick and Woonsocket. Main: 401-274-8811 Connect for Health/Lifespan (The Miriam Hospital) The most critical target population is low income non-participating Rhode Islanders, including current C4H/(Lifespan) patients who may qualify for SNAP. Services will also be provided to patients who may be taking part in SNAP but have questions or need help understanding or responding to program notices or paperwork requirements. Connect for Health is part of the Community Health Institute, which is a department of Lifespan corporate and operates across all of the Lifespan affiliates. The activities described in the work plan will be performed for/with Lifespan patients and providers across C4H sites, regardless of the hospital at which the patient is accessing services. C4H serves 4 primary clinics: Hasbro Pediatric Primary Care and Adolescent Clinics and Rhode Island Hospital’s Center for Primary Care and Medicine Pediatrics Clinics. Additionally, C4H has pilot sites with Lifespan’s Systems of Care, Lifespan’s Cardiovascular Institute, and House of Hope – a community organization. Connect for Health and the Lifespan Community Health Institute live under the Lifespan umbrella. Lifespan services are offered statewide and clientele are from across the State of RI. The subrecipient will focus on activities in the following service area: Greater Providence, including Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Cranston. However, services are available to anyone who is screened by or enrolls in Connect for Health and is a resident of the state of Rhode Island. NOTE: Factual SNAP informational resources will also be provided to internal Lifespan, Lifespan, and affiliate providers (stakeholders) including but not limited to doctors, social workers, medical students, case workers, and community health workers along with information about C4H (Lifespan) SNAP Outreach activities so referrals may be made to C4H (Lifespan) staff for potentially eligible and interested patients. Main: 401-444-8009 Genesis Center The most critical target population is low-income nonparticipating Rhode Islanders, including current and future students and clients of the Genesis Center who may qualify for SNAP, but services also will be provided to people who may be taking part in SNAP but have questions or need help understanding or responding to program notices or paperwork requirements. Speakers of languages other than English. The subrecipient will focus on activities in the following service areas: Greater Providence, including Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Cranston. However, Genesis Center serves students from throughout the State. Contact information: gmitogo@gencenter.org | 401-781-6110 x25 ONE Neighborhood Builders (OneNB) ONE Neighborhood Builders' mission targets low-income non-participating Rhode Island residents in Central Providence and East Providence communities who may qualify for SNAP. OneNB services support individuals enrolling in SNAP benefits, and provide assistance to current participants who could be navigating SNAP program notices and paperwork. ONE Neighborhood Builders is dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all community members by providing bilingual SNAP informational materials. For more information or support, please contact: Main: 401-340-0535 66 Chaffee St. Providence RI 02909 RI Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) The most critical target population is low income RIABGC nonparticipating current and new applicants who may qualify for SNAP, but services will also be provided to people who may be taking part in SNAP but have questions or need help understanding or responding to program notices or paperwork requirements. The Clubs will target the families they directly serve as well as non-member families at its school-based and public housing sites and families served through broader community outreach and partnerships, including through Health Equity Zone partnership referrals, in conjunction with Mentor Rhode Island, its local prevention coalitions, through the Newport partnership for families, through Working Cities partner agencies, through public library partners, and the police athletic leagues. The subrecipient will focus on activities in the following service area: Statewide. Participating clubs East Providence: mshea@epbgc.org | 401-434-6776 x 203 Providence: SSilva@bgcprov.org | 401-444-0758 Warwick: monique@wbgclubs.org | 401-467-4385 BGC of Northern RI: MikeK@bgcnri.org | 401-333-4850 o Cumberland: (401) 333-4850 o Woonsocket: (401) 766-9242 BCG of Newport and Washington County: ctraynum@bgcnewport.org | 401-847-6927 X156 BGC of Pawtucket: cfolston@bgcpawt.org | 401-722-8840 United Way of RI United Way of RI Focus I – General Population The most critical target population is low income non-participating Rhode Islanders who may qualify for SNAP, but services will also be provided to people who may be taking part in SNAP but have questions or need help understanding or responding to program notices or paperwork requirements. All activities will minimally include four targeted activities during the contract term (one per quarter) for each of the following priority populations: Veterans, students, immigrant communities i.e., mixed status families and historically underserved communities, to include, but is not limited to, Latino and black adults (racial equity). Activities will also target community partners and employer partners in a collaborative effort to achieve heightened SNAP informational messaging across demographics and geographic locations. The sub-recipient will focus activities in the following service area: Rhode Island - Statewide.” Main: 401-444-0600 or Dial 211 United Way of RI Focus II – Senior and Disability Services The most critical target population is adults age 60 and older, and those with disabling conditions, caregivers, and low-income non-participating Rhode Islanders who may qualify for SNAP, but services will also be provided to people who may be taking part in SNAP but have questions or need help understanding or responding to program notices or paperwork requirements. All activities will minimally include four targeted activities during the contract term (one per quarter) for each of the following USDA priority populations: adults age 60 and older, and those with disabling conditions, caregivers, veterans, immigrant communities i.e., mixed-status families and historically underserved communities, to include, but is not limited to, Latino and black adults. Activities will target community partners in a collaborative effort to achieve heightened SNAP informational messaging across demographics and geographic locations. Main: (401) 519-0360 or Dial: 211 Schedule Outreach Resources The following are resources to explain and further amplify the State's SNAP program. Online shopping resource guides in multiple languages can be found here. Brochures SNAP: General SNAP: Young Adults SNAP Young Adults brochure (rev. 2.2024) PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes One Pagers SNAP: General SNAP Facts: Immigration SNAP: Homeless Posters SNAP: General (English) SNAP: General (Español) SNAP: General (Português) SNAP: College Outreach SNAP: Older Adults (English) SNAP: Older Adults (Español) SNAP: Older Adults (Português) Our SNAP Outreach Vendors Can Come to You! If your organization is having an event and you would like someone to attend to share information about the availability, application process, eligibility requirements and benefits of SNAP and/or to have people on site to assist with SNAP applications or questions, please look at the list of SNAP Outreach Community partners below and contact the partner that most closely aligns with your event. If you are not sure of the partner that will best serve your needs, please fill out the SNAP Outreach Event Request form. Click here. USDA Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to: Mail:Food and Nutrition Service, USDA1320 Braddock Place, Room 334Alexandria, VA 22314; or Fax:(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or Email:FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov