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.
Call Center Update DHS offices will be closed July 4 in observance of the holiday. To help ensure customers have ample opportunity to connect with DHS staff the week of July 4, the Call Center will adjust its schedule to take incoming calls Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Call Center will return to its normal schedule the following week.
Summer EBT Update This summer, families with school-age children who were income-eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2023-2024 school year will receive SUN Bucks (formerly Summer EBT), a $120 dollar benefit per child that can be used to buy groceries. Families will either see the benefit added to their SNAP EBT card or to a separate SUN Bucks card that will be mailed this month. Benefits will be available to use beginning July 1. If you have questions about SUN bucks, please call United Way of Rhode Island at 2-1-1. Additional information about SUN buck can be found here: https://dhs.ri.gov/sun-bucks
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.
Report Fraud How to report Fraud or Misuse: Online: Office of Internal Audit Fraud Complaint Form By phone: Call the Fraud Unit at (401) 574-8175. Please leave a message, and we will process your call promptly. By mail: You may send a report to: Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit One Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908 More information: RI Office of Management and Budget - Office of Internal Audit What is Fraud? Fraud occurs when a person makes false statements, and/or misrepresents facts or circumstances to the Department of Human Services in order to illegally receive cash assistance (RI Works), food assistance (SNAP), child care assistance (CCAP), general public assistance (GPA), long term care (LTC), child support services, rehabilitative services, veterans benefits, and Medicaid. What is Misuse and Provider Fraud? Misuse occurs when providers operate in ways inconsistent with sound fiscal, business, or medical practices. Misuse can result in great financial harm to both human services programs and Medicaid. Provider fraud can involve illegal practices from child care providers, doctors, dentists, nursing homes, home healthcare, medical equipment providers, pharmacies, mental health facilities, laboratories, transportation services, and more. Examples of Fraud and Misuse: - Failure to report income, insurance, or money received - Failure to report the return of an absent parent to the home - Failure to report a child out of the home - Failure to report property or assets - Claiming Rhode Island residence while living out of state - Actively seeking drugs - Committing crimes resulting in incarceration - Providers receiving bills for services never provided - Providers misrepresenting credentials - Billing irregularities from providers What is SNAP Fraud and Abuse? It is illegal to knowingly use, transfer, buy, sell or possess Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, food purchased with SNAP benefits, or EBT cards in any way not authorized by the program. A person can be charged with a felony, and if found guilty, could be fined up to $250,000, be sentenced to 20 years in jail, or both. A person(s) found guilty of intentional program violations will be disqualified from the program. In addition, repayment of any unauthorized SNAP benefits issued is required. More specifically, SNAP Fraud is an illegal act in which an individual obtains something of value through willful misrepresentation. SNAP Fraud may include intentional failure to properly report wages, household members, or trafficking of benefits. Trafficking is buying, selling, trading, or attempting to buy, sell, or trade benefits for cash, drugs, weapons, ammunition, or any other non-eligible item. Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy: - Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco - Any nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products and household supplies - Vitamins and medicines - Food that will be eaten in the store