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.
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
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.
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.
Eligibility & How to Apply Am I eligible for GPA? Rhode Island residents who are age 18 and over can apply for GPA. To be eligible, a person must: Have an illness, injury, or medical condition that is expected to last 30 days or more and prevents a person from working Have a monthly income limit of $327/month for an individual and $449/month for a couple Have resources $400 or less Have only one automobile with a value of less than $4,650 Cannot be eligible for other federal assistance programs, except for SNAP benefits (food stamps) Cannot have a child under 18 living with the applicant Cannot be pregnant Who isn't eligible? Any individual who has been determined eligible for SSI Any individual who is eligible or who would, but for income and resources, be eligible for Rhode Island Works (RIW) program cash assistance Certain persons who are in the care of, confined by, or in the custody of another State Agency such as: the Department of Corrections, the Department of Children, Youth and Families or the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) How much can I receive? GPA-Bridge recipients may receive up to $200 per month while their federal SSI application is pending GPA-Hardship recipients may receive up to $100 per month ($50 bi-weekly) GPA-Burial recipients can receive up to $900 for burial service costs How long can I get GPA for? Once eligibility is determined for GPA applicants, initial eligibility: may be granted for a period of up to six (6) months and/or renewable for a period of up to an additional six (6) months In order to receive GPA for a period greater than twelve (12) months, individuals must re-apply for General Public Assistance. How do I apply? You can apply using the online Customer Portal, by phone (number below) or by filling out a paper application. All can be found on our Apply Now page. The state’s Medical Assistance Review Team (MART) must also determine whether the applicant is disabled before being approved for GPA-Bridge. What do I need to do for financial assistance through GPA-Burial? Here is a helpful checklist for families and individuals applying for GPA-Burial GPA Burial Application Fillable Form Here is a helpful checklist to help funeral homes with GPA-Burial assistance GPA Burial Funeral Home Checklist Fillable Form How do I appeal? Find out how to appeal here. For more information... Call 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347) or TTY 1-800-745-5555 (for hearing impaired).