To help improve the lives and economic conditions of Rhode Island’s families, the
Family Independence Program (FIP) was implemented according to law under the Family Independence Act (FIA) on May 1, 1997. The program is
part of Rhode Island’s comprehensive reformation of the old Aid to Families with
Dependent Children (AFDC) program.
Through FIP, the Department of Human Services (DHS) offers cash assistance on a
temporary basis to those Rhode Islanders and their families who are having a difficult
time making ends meet. FIP limits cash assistance for adults to a lifetime total of five
years. Families qualify for cash assistance based on the amount of income they take in,
other resources they may have and the number of people in their family. Since the goal of
FIP has always been to encourage families to get into the workforce and become more
self-sufficient, those who are working, or are involved in some type of job training, and
fall into a certain income bracket may still qualify for some cash assistance and other
important benefits including health care coverage, child care subsidies and food stamps.
To further encourage self-sufficiency among low income Rhode Islanders, within the
first two years of receiving FIP cash benefits adult family members must work, look for
work or begin preparing for work. Under FIP, participants work closely with DHS staff to
assess their family, household and economic needs and a work plan is then outlined and
formalized. With DHS support, beneficiaries then utilize the plan as a guide for moving
forward with the ultimate goal of gainful employment. Depending on individual needs, job
training and education may be recommended, or individuals may immediately begin seeking
employment (at least 20 hours per week) or approved community service work. To support
those beneficiaries’ transition into work and to remove potential obstacles to
maintaining employment, DHS provides continued health insurance subsides
to help pay for child care and
other important services.
For more information on the Family Independence Program, Wellesley College has prepared a
paper titled "Evaluation
of Rhode Island's Family Independence Program".
To help reduce the stigma and enhance the security of receiving both cash and food
stamp benefits, DHS recently introduced a new program called Electronic Benefit Transfer
(EBT). With EBT, families who qualify for cash and/or food stamp assistance no longer
receive their benefits in paper check or coupon form. Instead, the benefits are
electronically transferred into a special account for the recipients each month.
Individuals can then access their benefits by using a special debit card, called an EBT
card, at point-of-sale (POS) machines located right at the check-out counter of retail
stores across the state. Cash assistance benefits can also be accessed at ATM (Automated
Teller Machines) machines at local banks and other locations throughout the state.
For more information about the Family Independence Program and cash assistance benefits
call (401) 462-5300 or (401) 462-3363 TTY.
For more information, please refer to the
Family Independence Program Red Book
