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. 

Several hands of people create two heart shapes.

The following pages are several resources, including:

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. 

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. 

The graphics below are for broad community partner use and can also be found in the social media toolkit document.

COVID SNAP V1 social media messaging
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COVID SNAP V4 social media messaging
change your EBT pin to protect your benefits

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 12/20/2024 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.