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.
Office Update Due to facility maintenance, the DHS regional office at 195 Buttonwoods Ave., Warwick, will only be open for document drop-off until further notice. All planned appointments and customer interviews at the Warwick office have been rescheduled for other times, locations, or over the phone. The Customer Portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov), the mobile app, the Call Center (1-855-697-4347), and other regional offices remain available.
Did you know. . . Document Scanning Centers can help you open or update your case quicker? If you only need to share key information to your case, consider visiting our offices at 125 Holden Street or 249 Roosevelt Avenue and you could have your case updated in as little as 10 minutes. More information is available online here.
JUNE 2024 SNAP NOTICE Beginning June 1, 2024, the federal government is requiring households receiving SNAP benefits to complete an interview as part of the application and recertification process. Additional information is available on the program’s page here: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/supplemental-nutrition-0
Goals and Priorities The legislative priorities and goals of the agency have been updated. To learn key highlights from DHS, please visit the About Us page 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.
Head Start Eligibility & How to Apply What is Head Start? Head Start programs support children's growth from birth to age five through services that support early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start staff actively engage parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes. Head Start services are available at no cost to children ages birth to age five in eligible families. Head Start preschool services work with families with children ages 3 to 5. Early Head Start services work with families with children ages birth to age three, and many also serve expectant families. Many programs operate both Head Start preschool and Early Head Start services. Programs deliver child development services in center-based, home-based, or family child care settings. All Head Start programs continually work toward our mission for eligible children and families to receive high-quality services in safe and healthy settings that prepare children for school and life. More information about Head Start can be found here: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs/about/head-start Does my family qualify for the Head Start program? Families with children from birth through age five who meet one or more of the following criteria are considered categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services: Income at or below the Federal Poverty Level Receiving Public Assistance RI Works SNAP SSI Child in Foster Care Experiencing Homelessness Families who do not meet the categorical eligibility requirements are still encouraged to apply. How to Apply Information about Rhode Island Head Start Agencies and how to apply can be located on the Rhode Island Head Start Association Website. For more information, call the program serving your community today. Rhode Island Head Start Programs (Rev. 8.2022) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes