Rhode Island Works Update Rhode Island Works beneficiaries will see an approximate 20% increase in benefits and up to $112.50 in additional income as a result of being able to keep a larger share of earned income. These changes were recently approved in the state budget. Amounts issued will vary by household circumstances. Beneficiaries of RI Works should refer to their specific notice for more details. Additional information is available online.
Call Center Update The Call Center has expanded the options available at 1-855-697-4347 when callers select menu option 2. Starting July 2024, callers using option 2 can now receive on-the-go information on their Rhode Island Works, Child Care Assistance, and General Public Assistance cases. This is in addition to the information already available for SNAP and Medicaid cases. Learn more about the improved functionality here: https://dhs.ri.gov/resources
Voter Registration for Upcoming Elections The Board of Elections is reminding residents about upcoming election deadlines for voting. In order to vote in the State Primary, residents must be registered to vote by August 11. The deadline to register to vote in the statewide general election is October 6. Registering to vote can be done online here: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/
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.
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 DHS is able to help more than 300,000 Rhode Islanders every year with the help of many community partners, advocates and our contracted vendors, such as our SNAP Outreach vendors. Together, we are able to extend DHS' reach across our beautiful state and have additional aid to all who may need us. The following pages are several resources, including: how to guides in our Tech Resources page as well as information about our new mobile app Several of our community partners in Local Resources page Domestic Violence help with our Family Violence Option Advocacy Program How to report fraud Additional Customer Resources The RI Department of Human Services has developed new resources to help provide education on the broader application process. Please check back frequently to see the latest versions and newly added resources. Save Time, Go Online Poster (Eng/Spa 11.2022) PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes Customer-Card PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes What to Expect Brochure (11.2022) PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes Resource Guide (11.2022) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes End of Extra COVID SNAP Benefits—Resources and Supporting Materials Beginning on March 1, 2023, SNAP households will only receive their regular monthly SNAP issuance on the first of each month. Below, please find resources and supporting materials intended to help customers navigate the recent change. Extra COVID SNAP Ending Flyer (English) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Covid.SNAP-end- social toolkit. Final.pdf PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Extra Covid SNAP end (English, poster) PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes Extra Covid SNAP end (Spanish poster) PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes Extra Covid SNAP end (Portuguese poster) PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes Resource Guide (updated 1.23.2023) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes 16 Tips for Saving Money at the Supermarket (Portuguese) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes 16 Tips for Saving Money at the Supermarket (Spanish) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes 16 Tips for Saving Money at the Supermarket (English) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes The graphics below are for broad community partner use and can also be found in the social media toolkit document. DHS Call Center Automated System The DHS Call Center automated system provides easy, quick access to SNAP and Medicaid options for customers. More information about option 2 at 1-855-MY-RIDHS is available in the resources below. Call Center OPTION 2 - English - (Rev. July 2024) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Call Center Self Service Options PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Call Center Self Service (por) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Call Center Self Service (spa) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Social Media Toolkit PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Best Ways Document DHS Best Ways (revised 10.6.2023) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DHS Best Ways (español) (revised 10.6.2023) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DHS Best Ways (Portugués) (revised 10.6.2023) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Fraud Prevention Resources Please find fraud prevention resources below to help you protect your benefits. EBT Card Freeze FAQ (English) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes EBT Card Freeze FAQ (Spanish) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes EBT Card Freeze FAQ (Portuguese) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes How to Protect Your Benefits PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Protecting Your Benefits Update (11/18/2022) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Step-by-Step Guide If You Are Affected by Fraudulent Activity PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Process for Reporting Fraudulent Activity Incidents of fraudulent activity impacting customer benefits has been on the rise nationally and locally. The RI Department of Human Services (DHS) works closely with its state partners to track, inform, and minimize cases of fraud. If your card has been compromised or your SNAP benefits have been stolen, customers should take the following steps: Step 1: Immediately reset the EBT card PIN through ebtEdge.com or through 1-888-979-9939. Step 2: Report the loss of benefits to DHS within 30 days of the theft. Step 3: Submit a replacement request form (SNAP-55A) within 10 business days. The SNAP-55A form can be obtained in the following ways: Download the form from the DHS website below By calling the DHS Call Center (1-855-697-4347) and requesting one By calling the DOA Fraud/OIA Hotline (401-574-8175) to report stolen benefits and requesting a form Walking into a DHS office to make a report of stolen benefits The SNAP-55A form will be reviewed by Fraud/Office of Internal Audits (OIA) to identify if the claim meets the criteria for replacement. A decision will be made within 15 days from when the form is submitted. If no determination can be made by OIA within that timeframe, the claim will be denied and household will have the opportunity to appeal and/or provide any additional information to help validate the claim. Cases approved will have benefits replaced within 10 days of the confirmed fraud determination. The amount of benefits replaced cannot be more than the amount of benefits stolen from the household or the amount equal to two months of the household’s monthly benefit immediately before the date when the benefits were stolen (whichever is lesser). DHS will notify the customer either via phone call or through a letter mailed to the household informing them that their replacement request was approved. Households that are denied replacement of benefits will receive a denial notice with the reason and their appeal rights. Benefits lost due to theft cannot be replaced more than two times within the period of 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024 according to the approved plan submitted to USDA's Food and Nutrition Service and federal guidance. This highlights the importance of taking all necessary precautions to help protect benefits. SNAP 55A Form Request for Replacement of SNAP/RIW Benefits Due to Fraud PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
SNAP 55A Form Request for Replacement of SNAP/RIW Benefits Due to Fraud PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes