Learn About Rhode Island Food Stamps
Rhode Island food stamps are benefits provided by the state Department of Human Services . This program, which is formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , helps low-income families and individuals afford their groceries. As such, SNAP assistance can be used to purchase healthy foods at a variety of grocery stores and other establishments.
In order to receive SNAP food stamps in Rhode Island, you must meet the program requirements and submit an application for your household. If approved, you may begin receiving benefits within one month. Benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefit transfer card, which works just like a debit card to buy food. Read below to learn more about the food stamps program in Rhode Island, including how to apply and how to use your benefits.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP, formerly called food stamps, is the nation’s largest program for fighting domestic hunger. Federally funded and state administered through our Department, we are committed to providing low-income individuals and families with resources to purchase food.
Eligibility and benefit amounts are based on income, expenses, resources and the number of people living in a household. Recipients get an EBT card that can be used at supermarkets, grocery/convenience stores, farmers’ markets and participating online retailers. Stores interested in accepting EBT can go here. Click here for more information on becoming a retailer for the online purchasing program.
Since March 2020, some SNAP households have received extra benefits called emergency allotments to help during the pandemic. In April 2021, the federal government made a change to allow more SNAP households to receive these extra benefits. You can read more here.
NOTE: Extra benefits need to be approved by the federal government on a month to month basis, and DHS announces the decisions widely each month.
For Ri Works Recipients Only
There is never a transaction fee for using your SNAP benefits to buy food with your RI EBT card. There is also never a transaction fee for using your cash benefits to buy food or get cash at a Point of Sale machine.
At ATMs, after your second Cash withdrawal in a month, a 45¢ transaction fee is automatically taken out of your Cash account each time you withdraw cash. A surcharge is an additional fee charged by the owner of an ATM or POS machine for using that machine to make a cash withdrawal. Surcharges, if any, for getting cash will also be taken from your account automatically. If you do not want to pay the surcharge, simply cancel your transaction and go to another ATM or POS location that does not charge a surcharge.
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Applying For Rhode Island Food Stamp Programs
How do I apply for food stamps in Rhode Island?
There are 5 government food-related benefits that you may apply for as a resident of Rhode Island.
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How Will I Receive Benefits
If you are approved for Rhode Island food stamps, your benefits will be placed on an electronic benefits card every month. The card is also called RI Works Cash for beneficiaries who also receive cash benefits.
The EBT Card is a permanent card. You will use the same card for as long as you receive foods stamps benefits.
Your EBT card is how you will pay for the food you buy at approved locations.
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How To Appeal A Denial Of Benefits Or A Low Benefit Amount
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within the number of days enclosed in your benefit letter.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing, you can submit your request or .
To appeal , you will need to fill out the request form found here and sent it to 223-6317
To appeal , fill out the Fair Hearing Request form found here and mail it to the following address:State of Rhode Island
What Can I Buy With Food Stamps
There are strict requirements about what you can and cannot purchase with food stamps.
Generally, food stamps benefits may only be used to purchase food for human consumption and seeds/plants to grow food at home.
Food Stamp benefits cannot be used for: household items, grooming products, tobacco, alcohol products, pet food, etc. Here are the allowed food items:
You can use your benefits to buy foods such as:
- Breads and cereals.
- Seeds and plants to grow food for your family to eat.
You cannot use your benefits to buy:
- Non Food items (pet foods, paper products, soaps,
- household supplies, grooming items, toothpaste, cosmetics, etc.).
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco.
- Food that will be eaten in the store.
- Hot foods .
- Vitamins and medicines.
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Where Can I Register For The Snap Food Stamp Program In Providence Ri
If you are interested in getting food stamps in Providence, you will have to go to one of the social service offices within the city or county area. There are lists of different DHS offices throughout the city that you can go to in order to fill out an application or to recertify your benefits after a certain period of time. You can also apply online or by mail.
Restaurant Meals Program In Ri
The state of Rhode Island participates in the Restaurant Meals Program.
This is a program in select states that allows certain food stamps recipients to use their benefits at approved restaurants. See our detailed article on the topic here.
Who is Eligible for Restaurant Meals Program?
In the state of Rhode Island, the following group of food stamps recipients may apply to the Restaurant Meals Program.
- Homeless
- Disabled
- Elderly or Disabled
The purpose of the program is to help expand food access to those who do not have a place to store and cook food.
In addition, the program is for those who may not be able to prepare food or who dont have access to a grocery store.
To apply for the restaurant meals program, contact 1-866-306-0270 or contact your local Department of Human Services office.
What Restaurants Accept EBT In Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, select Subway Restaurant Locations have been approved to accept food stamps. Here is the List:
255 Weybossett Street, Providence
Summary
There are four ways you can apply for food stamps in Rhode Island.
To determine your chances of being approved for food stamps, make sure you meet the income and resource eligibility criteria outlined above.
If you are approved for benefits, you will receive an EBT card, which acts like a debit card and allows you to buy approved groceries at approved merchant locations.
We hope this article has been helpful in providing you the information you need to apply for food stamps in Rhode Island.
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How To Report Loss Of Food:
If your food spoiled due to a loss of power or other misfortune, you may qualify for replacement SNAP benefits. You can ask for replacement SNAP benefits if you lost food that you bought with SNAP because:
- You lost power for 4 hours or more,
- Your utilities were shut off ,
- Your freezer or refrigerator stopped working, or
- There was damage from a fire, flood, or storm
Tell DHS within 10 days of the food loss. You can do this in person , by phone or mail. Within 10 days of when you report the loss, you also need to give DHS a SNAP-55 Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with SNAP Benefits form below. This can also serve as your initial report.
Are College Students Eligible For Snap
Students, ages 18-49, attending an institution of higher education, like a college, university, trade school, or technical school more than half-time are eligible for SNAP IF they meet an exemption AND meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements. You can ask your school what qualifies as half-time.
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Rhode Island Food Stamp Program
With Rhode Island food stamps, program enrollees are given the funds they need to purchase nutritious groceries each time they go to the grocery store. Officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , this initiative is available to qualifying low-income residents who live throughout the state. SNAP in Rhode Island is available on a rolling basis. Therefore, petitioners should submit their applications to be considered for the program as soon as they believe they are eligible to receive benefits. Prospective claimants do not need to wait until a certain time of the year in order to apply for SNAP.
Through the states food assistance program, the Department of Human Services strives to reduce hunger in RI. Since SNAP is a federal program, this goal extends throughout the country. Each individual state handles its own program, which means that the DHS has authority regarding the Rhode Island SNAP food stamps program and how these benefits are distributed. The next few sections explain the requirements and procedures claimants need to fulfill in order to collect benefits. Furthermore, other sections address what applicants need to do to prepare for their program interviews and how they can appeal enrollment denials they receive from the department.
The Wakefield Food Stamp Office In Rhode Island
If you live in Wakefield, you can find the Rhode Island food stamp office in your city. Whether you have recently decided to apply for food stamps or you have questions about benefits, you can come to your nearest facility for assistance. It is important that you know where you can go to discuss your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program enrollment in case you have questions.
No matter where you are in the Rhode Island Food Assistance Program application process, you may need to visit a SNAP office. You may also call these facilities by phone using the food stamps number if you have questions. No matter where you live in the Wakefield area, there is a food stamp office near you that you can contact with any inquiries you may have.
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Find Out About Snap Benefits In Rhode Island
In most cases, you will receive SNAP benefits no more than one month after your application is submitted. However, if you have extremely limited resources or income, you may receive emergency benefits in as little as one week. The DHS will determine whether you are eligible for emergency assistance based on the information in your application.
The amount of food stamp benefits you receive is based mostly on your household size and income. Keep in mind that you must report changes to your circumstances, as this may affect your benefit amount. For example, your SNAP food benefits may be different if your income goes up or your family size changes.
SNAP benefits can be used to buy fresh, frozen, canned and boxed foods at a variety of retail locations. Some farmersâ markets accept benefits as well. You can buy the following types of food with your benefits:
- Meat, eggs, poultry and fish
- Bread, cereal, pasta and other grains
- Fruits and vegetables
- Plants and seeds that you can grow at home
- Snacks and beverages
Your benefits card works much like a debit card. However, benefits cannot be used to withdraw cash from an ATM. Furthermore, you may not get cash back with a purchase. If you have other benefits on your EBT card, these funds may be eligible for cash withdrawals. However, SNAP benefits cannot be used in this way. to learn more about using your benefits.
Ri Works Ebt Restrictions
RI Works EBT card holders are not allowed to use their EBT card to buy anything in the following places and are also not allowed to use an ATM machine located at these places to withdraw cash:
- Liquor Stores
- Casinos, Gambling Casinos, or Gaming Establishments
- Retail Establishments that provide adult-oriented entertainment .
Using your card in these locations will result in the following penalties:
- The first time you use your card at one of the restricted places, you will receive a written warning
- Thesecond time, you will be required to pay DHS the amount of cash withdrawn or the amount of the purchase made at the restricted location
- The third time and each time after that, you will be required to pay DHS the amount of cash withdrawn or the amount of the purchase made at the restricted place AND your RI Works Benefit amount will be reduced by the amount that would be paid for the parent who used the card in violation of the rules.
More information about fraud, including how to report it, can be found here.
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In Addition To The Income Guidelines What Else Changed On October 1 2021
At the beginning of every federal fiscal year, the United States Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service adjusts maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, deductions and income eligibility standards. These adjustments are known as the SNAP Cost of Living Adjustment .
The SNAP COLA is based on changes in the cost of living and takes effect on October 1st of each year. Please read the following to learn about all the changes, some already reflected on this page as well as additional elements of the COLA, that became effective on .
Apply For Snap Benefits
Step 1: Complete an application.
You can print an application by , or call the SNAP Outreach Project to request an application: 1-866-306-0270.
Or, you can apply on-line by completing the RI online SNAP application. The application for Rhode Islands SNAP will open in a new window.
Step 2: Fill out the information as best you can. If you run into any trouble, email or call toll free 1-866-306-0270.
Step 3: Prepare for your in-person or telephone interview. If you are unable to visit a local DHS office due to work, transportation, disability, child care, or any other important factor, you may request a telephone interview.
To determine eligibility, you may need to bring the following documents for all household members to your local DHS Office. Photocopies are acceptable.
The documents you may need include:
- Identification
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of past months income
- Proof of past months housing and utility expenses such as mortgage statements, rental agreements, and bills
- Proof of expenses such as day care and child support payments
- Proof of medical expenses for people 60 or older or disabled
- Documentation of citizenship status
The Interview: You will meet with or speak to a DHS worker to determine if you qualify for benefits. Please bring extra copies of all paperwork if possible. You and a caseworker will review your application and assess your benefits.
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