RIBridges Updates The RIBridges system managed by Deloitte is currently offline, and the State is working closely with Deloitte to address the cybersecurity threat and bring the system back online. The programs managed through the RIBridges system include but are not limited to: Medicaid, HSRI medical coverage, SNAP, RI Works, CCAP, LTSS, GPA, LTSS, and At Home Cost Share. Customers can take steps today to protect themselves, utilizing credit freezes, fraud alerts, and updating passwords. Any customer who sees suspicious activity on their EBT card should change their PIN. Changing your EBT PIN frequently, before or around the time of benefit issuance, is a fraud prevention best practice to protect your benefits. To change your PIN, call ebtEdge at 1-888-979-9939. Additional instructions on how to protect your benefits can be found here. -Please be advised benefits for the month of December for most programs have already been disbursed. -DHS regional offices remain open and are processing paper applications and forms at this time. - The Call Center (1-855-697-4347) will be offering extended hours Monday-Wednesday ( Jan. 6-8). and take incoming calls from 4-6:30 p.m. to assist all callers in the queue.
Applying for Benefits The customer portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov and the HealthyRhode mobile app) is not available because of the data breach. You can apply for all benefits by phone by calling 1-855-697-4347, in person at a DHS office, or by mail. Visit https://dhs.ri.gov/apply-now for more information. Please click here to find application assistance.
Fair Hearing - How to Request Without Web (Mail, Call, Visit) While the customer portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov and the HealthyRhode mobile app) is not available, fair hearings can only be requested by phone, in person, or by mail. To file an appeal regarding Medicaid and Purchased Health Coverage through HealthSource RI, call HealthSource RI at 1-855-840-HSRI (4774). For questions about filing an appeal for human services programs such as SNAP, RIW, Child Care, GPA, or SSP call the Department of Human Services at 1-855-MY-RI-DHS (1-855-697-4347).To request a fair hearing in person, please visit your nearest DHS office. To request a fair hearing by mail, please mail your completed Appeal Form to PO Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920.For more information about the fair hearing process, please visit the Appeals Office page.
Elderly & Disabled Simplified Application Project (ESAP) The Elderly and Disabled Simplified Application Project (ESAP) simplifies the application process and allows for a longer eligibility period for SNAP applicants and households that meet the following criteria: All members of the household are age 60 or older, are disabled* regardless of age, or are a combination of both No household members have income from working *A person with a disability is anyone determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration and most likely receiving a federally related disability benefit including, but not limited to: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability (SSD) Disability-related Medicaid Veterans Administration (VA) Disability 100% Households meeting the ESAP criteria benefit from: A longer, 3-year certification period instead of the previous 2-year certification period assigned to such households; No recertification interview requirement after the 3-year certification period ends unless the household’s case will be closed, the household requests an interview, or information on the recertification form is questionable and further clarification is needed.; Less requests for documentation if DHS can verify the household’s information through data matches; A shorter application. Note: ESAP-eligible households must submit a completed recertification application and any required documents to continue to receive SNAP benefits. ESAP-eligible households who do not return a recertification application will have their SNAP case closed for failure to recertify, like any other SNAP case. New applications for SNAP are being reviewed and those meeting the ESAP criteria will be placed into ESAP. They will receive a notice that includes the benefits of ESAP and the extension of the certification period. Households already receiving SNAP and meeting ESAP criteria will be placed into ESAP automatically or at their next recertification if their recertification form is currently due. The shortened ESAP paper application can be found here: Rhode Island Assistance Application ESAP (English) PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes Rhode Island Assistance Application ESAP (Spanish) PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes Rhode Island Assistance Application ESAP (Portuguese) PDF file, about 3mbmegabytes This page will be updated periodically with ESAP related materials. Please visit this page frequently for ESAP updates.