Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Human Services Office of Health and Human Services

Getting Help While SNAP Benefits Are on Hold

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SNAP fed shutdown update flier
Download the SNAP Fed Shutdown Flier by clicking on the image.

This page will be Rhode Island's central hub for information and resources related to the federal disruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. 

Background

Due to the federal government shutdown, states have been notified that SNAP benefits may not be issued on November 1. 

In Rhode Island, SNAP delivers about $29 million each month in essential food assistance to approximately 145,000 residents. 

State Support for RI SNAP Recipients

Governor Dan McKee has declared a State of Emergency and announced a series of actions to support Rhode Islanders impacted by the federal freeze in SNAP likely to begin on November 1. 

  • Emergency Payments for Families with Children: Governor McKee is deploying up to $6 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to provide an emergency payment to help over 20,000 eligible families with children (approximately 65,000 individuals) offset the loss of federal SNAP benefits. If the federal government continues to fail to fund SNAP, the first state payment would be deposited directly onto EBT cards as of November 1, with the second following on November 16. According to federal regulations, the State can only use TANF funds for qualifying families with children.
  • Emergency Funding to the RI Community Food Bank: Governor McKee is directing $200,000 to enhance capacity at the RI Community Food Bank. The RI Community Food Bank has already placed an initial bulk order to help ensure resources are mobilized and ready to be distributed to food pantry partners in local communities across the state.
  • Statewide Call to Action: The Governor is issuing a statewide call to action for donations to support food pantries. Every donation helps purchase and distribute more meals statewide. In response, the Rhode Island Foundation is earmarking $1 million in emergency grants to help feed people until the federal funding is unlocked. The Foundation will send $200,000 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank immediately to help ramp up the food supply to its network of more than 100 food pantries and meal sites. The remaining $800,000 will be distributed to nonprofits directly by the Foundation. RI AFL-CIO is also making a $10,000 donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. 

As the federal government shutdown continues, the McKee administration is continuing to explore ways to support Rhode Islanders. 

What You Can Do Right Now

  • Please check your EBT balance before heading to the store
  • Open DHS mailing immediately and submit any requested documents through DHS’ regular channels
  • If you need assistance connecting with community food resources near you:
    • Here is a list of food banks in your area
    • Call United Way at 2-1-1 if you are having difficulty connecting with food resources
    • Use the RI Community Food Bank Find Food App at rifoodbank.org
  • If you're interested in donating, visit the RIFoundation.org/food
  • Be aware of fraud
Food Pantries and Meal Sites Near You
Ways to Reach DHS
Fed Shutdown Impact by City/Town

 

UPDATE 10/28: FOOD DONATIONS ACCEPTED

The RI AFL-CIO has created multiple drop-off sites for food donations. Please see the list below if you wish to donate:

DROP OFF LOCATIONS 

Rhode Island AFl-CIO
194 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908 

1199/SEIU
319 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 

Rhode Island Laborers District Council 
410 South Main Street
Providence, RI 02903 

RI AFSCME Council 94
1179 Charles St, North Providence, RI 02904 

Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals
356 Smith St, Providence, RI 02908 

UFCW Local 328
278 Silver Spring St, Providence, RI 02904 

ATU Local 618
172 Longfellow St, Providence, RI 02907 

AAUP/URI
303 Roosevelt Hall
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 

NEARI
99 Bald Hill Rd
Cranston, RI 02920 

Teamsters Local 251 
121 Brightridge Ave. 
East Providence, RI 02914 

 

UPDATE 10/28: ASSISTANCE FROM THE NARRAGANSETT COUNCIL OF SCOUTING AMERICA

If you received a yellow door hanger from the Scouts this past weekend, please place non-perishable food items on your front porch by nine a.m. this Saturday, November 1 and a Scout will be by to pick it up.

If you did not receive a door hanger this past weekend, go to scoutingforfood.org to find a drop-off location near you or make a monetary donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

 

Update 10/28: Governor McKee Acts to Support Rhode Islanders Facing Food Insecurity Amid President Trump’s SNAP Funding Freeze

Governor McKee issues State of Emergency, deploys up to $6 million in payments for families with children, directs $200,000 in emergency food bank support, and launches a statewide call to action to help keep Rhode Islanders fed.
Read the Governor's Press Release Here