Most Common Programs

Photo of a stem of green-colored salad. Opens drop down listing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program information.  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Photo of a woman working on the motor of a car. Opens drop down listing of RI Works Program information.  Rhode Island Works (RIW)

    RIW is a temporary cash assistance program for families who have low or no income and who also have children of high school age or younger.

    It provides eligible parents and families who are unemployed or underemployed with both financial assistance and employment assistance so the adult member(s) of the family can enter or re-enter the workforce with necessary supports as quickly as possible.

    It also gives individualized and family support services, job readiness, job placement, employment training and retention services as well as childcare, transportation and educational services towards the goal of improved long-term self-sufficiency.
  • Apply Now
  • How to Apply
  • Program Information
  • Eligibility
  • Am I Required to Work?
  • Overpayment Options
  • RIW Employment Plan Resource Manual:
  • RI Red Book 2017
  • Rules and Regulations
  • Verification Checklist
  • Family Option Advocacy Program:
  • EnglishSpanish

Photo of children on the classroom floor in a circle. Opens drop down listing of Child Care Assistance Program information.  Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Photo of a caretaker giving an elderly woman a birthday cake. Opens drop down listing of Long Term Services and Supports Program information.   Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

Photo of two hands trying to reach one another from opposite directions. Opens drop down of General Public Assistance Program information.   General Public Assistance (GPA)

Photo of a sideview of a red house with icicles hanging off the gutters. Opens drop down listing of Energy Assistance Programs information.  Energy Assistance Programs

  • HEAP: Home Energy Assistance Program
      • The Department of Human Services works to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to home energy and improvements in home energy efficiency.
      Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income families pay their heating bills and offers weatherization services through federal grants to the household. The grant payment is sent directly to clients' utility company or fuel provider.
      Money may be available in the case of an emergency such as: 1/4 or lower amount of fuel left in tank and/or termination of utility service (gas or electric).
      Households must meet 60% of RI's Median Income Levels, which are set each program year.
      LIHEAP is administered by DHS but applications are filed at local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.
  • WAP: Weatherization Assistance Program
      • WAP assists eligible residents that already quality for LIHEAP with house energy efficiency services.
  • HSR: Heating System Repair/Replacement
      • HSR is offered to low-income homeowners that are eligible for heating assistance and/or weatherization services.
  • 2018 Low Income Guidelines
      • Apply at your local Community Action Agency.
    Other Helpful Organizations:
  • Good Neighbor Energy Fund
  • Keep the Heat On
  • Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and Division
All Programs and Services

Affordable Care Coverage (ACC)

    Medicaid is available for parents/caretakers with income up to 136% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), children with income up to 261% of the FPL, pregnant women with income up to 253% of the FPL and adults age 19 to 64 with income up to 133% of the FPL who are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid and not eligible for or enrolled in Medicare. You can apply for coverage online at www.healthyrhode.ri.gov or over the phone by calling the HSRI Contact Center at 1-855-840-4774.
    You may also
    Apply Now for Medicaid and/or other DHS Benefits
    or click below for information on
    How to Apply

Appeals Process

Visit the Appeals Process page for information and instruction.

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Child Support

  • Rhode Island Office of Child Support Services (OCSS)
    • OCSS encourages parental responsibility by establishing paternity of children, court orders for financial and medical support, modifying or changing the order when appropriate, and vigorously enforcing the state's approximately 52,000 support orders.

    It's mission is to "enhance the well-being of children by assuring that assistance in obtaining spport, including financial and medical, is available to children through locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing support obligations and monitoring and enforcing those obligations."

    Automation of business processes has increased the efficiency of child support collections and the distribution of funds to custodial parents.
    The Department of Human Services is responsible for providing public assistance programs to the population they serve. Click below to apply for DHS Benefits:

    How to Apply for DHS Benefits

Disability Determination Services

    Office of Rehabilitation Services, Disability Determination Services
    Disability Determination Services (DDS) is a unit within the Office of Rehabilitation Services. DDS is the state agency which determines the medical eligibility of Rhode Island residents (children and adults) who have applied for cash benefits under the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The two SSA disability programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (Title II) and Supplementary Security Income (SSI) (Title XVI). The DDS is responsible for collecting medical evidence of record and determining whether the claimant is disabled and/or blind as defined by the Social Security Act.
    The Department of Human Services is responsible for providing public assistance programs to the population they serve. Click below to apply for DHS Benefits:

    How to Apply for DHS Benefits

Elderly Affairs

    Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs
    The Division of Elderly Affairs, which DHS operates, continues to serve as the State Unit on Aging, with the overall goal to mobilize the human, physical, and financial resources available to plan, develop, and implement innovative programs to ensure the dignity and independence of elderly persons.

    It also works to improve the functional independence, well-being and community engagement of older individuals by providing affordable and accessible home and community-bases services and living options to prevent or delay institutionalization.
    The Department of Human Services is responsible for providing public assistance programs to the population they serve. Click below to apply for DHS Benefits:

    How to Apply for DHS Benefits

Elders and Adults with Disabilities (EAD) and Sherlock Program

    Elders and Adults with Disabilities (EAD) Medicaid coverage for individuals age 65 or older, living with a disability or blindness, who meet income and resource guidelines.

    Sherlock program provides Medicaid coverage, including home and community-based services, to people age 18 or older, with a disability determination, who are also actively employed. Participants must meet income and resource standards.

    To qualify for Medicaid for Low-Income Elders and Persons with Disabilities, an individual or member of a couple must be age 65 years or older or living with a disability. Persons who are blind also quality for coverage in this category. Income must be at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and resources cannot exceed $4,000 for a single person and $6,000 for a couple. People who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on age or disability are automatically eligible for Medicaid and do not need to complete the DHS-2 Application for Assistance. People who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must apply but do not have to undergo a disability review by the Medical Assistance Review Team (MART).
    People eligible under the category for Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities Program - Sherlock Plan are entitled to the full scope of Medicaid benefits, home and community-based services, and services needed to gain and / or maintain employment. To be found eligible for this program, a person must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, meet the Medicaid requirements for eligibility based on a disability, have proof of active,paid employment, have income at or below 250% of the FPL and meet special resourse standards.

    You may also
    Apply Now for Medicaid and/or other DHS Benefits
    or click below for information on
  • How to Apply

Energy Assistance Programs

  • HEAP: Home Energy Assistance Program
      • The Department of Human Services works to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to home energy and improvements in home energy efficiency.
      Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income families pay their heating bills and offers weatherization services through federal grants to the household. The grant payment is sent directly to clients' utility company or fuel provider.
      Money may be available in the case of an emergency such as: 1/4 or lower amount of fuel left in tank and/or termination of utility service (gas or electric).
      Households must meet 60% of RI's Median Income Levels, which are set each program year.
      LIHEAP is administered by DHS but applications are filed at local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.
  • WAP: Weatherization Assistance Program
      • WAP assists eligible residents that already quality for LIHEAP with house energy efficiency services.
  • HSR: Heating System Repair/Replacement
      • HSR is offered to low-income homeowners that are eligible for heating assistance and/or weatherization services.
  • 2018 Low Income Guidelines
      • Apply at your local Community Action Agency.
    Other Helpful Organizations:
  • Good Neighbor Energy Fund
  • Keep the Heat On
  • Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and Division

General Public Assistance (GPA)

Katie Beckett (KB)

    Katie Beckett provides Medicaid / health insurance coverage to children under age 19 who are living at home but have complex health needs that typically require the care provided in a hospital or nursing home.

    Families eligible for Medicaid will receive Katie Beckett services through that health coverage program. Katie Beckett depends on the income and resources of the child who needs coverage.

    To determine Katie Beckett eligibility, only the income and resources of the child who needs coverage are considered. A child may qualify for the same services available if family income is within the limits for coverage for the Affordable Care Coverage (ACC) groups. Call 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347) if you need more information about which pathway is best for you.
    You may also Apply Now for Medicaid and/or other DHS Benefits or for more information click How to Apply.

Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

Medicaid Programs

    Medicaid is a federal and state-funded program that pays medical and health related services for eligible Rhode Islanders. This includes inpatient and outpatient hospital care, preventive services, durable medical equipment, and many more services and benefits.

    It is an important source of coverage for low-income families with children, pregnant women, elders and persons with disabilities who otherwise might not be able to pay for or get access to addordable health care.
    The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) administers the publicly-funded Medicaid program. Medicaid is an important source of coverage for low-income families with children, pregnant women, elders and persons with disabilities and special needs who otherwise might not be able to pay for or get access to affordable health care. Rhode Island took the option under the federal Affordable Care Act of 2010 to expand Medicaid to adults between the ages of 19 and 64. The State also chose to establish its own health insurance exchange to make sure other forms of affordable coverage are readily available to Rhode Islanders who need it.
    EOHHS announces the three health plans with a Medicaid presence in RI: Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and members will be offered a chance to change health plans if they would like to.

    Visit the EOHHS - Medicaid Annual Plan Change Opportunity page for more information.
    Coverage for:
  • Families with Children
  • -For RIte Share questions, please call 401-462-0311.
  • Adults
  • Elders
  • Adults with Special Needs
  • Programs & Services
  • Provider Search

    • Click here to Apply Now or for help completing an application or for contact information to HealthSourceRI, visit the Apply for DHS Benefits page . There are also Navigators available at many community based agencies that can help with the application process. See the HealthSourceRI Navigator Directory in the "Apply In Person" section for an agency near you.
  • Verification Checklist

Medicare Premium Payment Program (MPP)

    Medicare Premium Payment Program (MPP) assists low income adults over age 65 pay some or all of the costs of their Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and co-payments.

    MPP-1 Medicare Premium Payment Program Medicare Part A is hospital insurance coverage and Medicare Part B is for physician services, durable medical equipment and outpatient services. People with income up to 135% of the FPL are eligible to participate in MPP.

    Adults with Special Needs
    Fill out the MPP-1 form and mail to the State of Rhode Island, P.O. Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02820-8787.

    Or you may choose to click here to Apply Now.

    For help completing an application or for contact information to HealthSourceRI, visit the Apply for DHS Benefits page . There are also Navigators available at many community based agencies that can help with the application process. See the HealthSourceRI Navigator Directory in the "Apply In Person" section for an agency near you.

Overpayment Collections: Options for Paying

    If you receive RI Works (Child Care Payments; Cash Assistance Payments; Food Stamps Payments) as a result of an error in your eligibility, this is called an overpayment. You will be required to pay DHS back for that overpayment. You can use your debit or credit card to pay your Overpayment Collection bill. This is an optional service and there is an associated convenience fee that will be billed to your account.
    You can do this by calling the DHS Overpayment Collection line at 877-264-5770 or pay online at:
  • Overpayment Collections Payment

Refugee Assistance Program

    The State Refugee Coordinator within DHS administers federal grants that come to Rhode Island from the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and ensures coordination of public and private resources in refugee resettlement. Refugees served by the Department are eligible for cash assistance, medical assistance, and employment planning services.

  • Frederick Sneesby
  • State Refugee Coordinator

  • Monday - Friday
  • 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • 401-462-1669
  • Frederick Sneesby

  • Refugee Assistance Program
  • DHS Benefits for Refugees
  • Refugee Resources

Rehabilitation Services

    Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services
    The Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) developes and implements support services for the disabled of our state.

    Programs include the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, a public, state and federally funded program that assistas individuals with disabilities to choose, prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.

    The Disability Determination Services (RIDDS), a "state-federal" partnership which makes determinations of medical eligibility of adults and children with physical and/or mental impairments who have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

    Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired works to provide eligible individuals with visual impairments the opportunities and support that will enable them to become independent, active, self-sustaining members of their community.

    The Department of Human Services is responsible for providing public assistance programs to the population they serve. Click below to apply for DHS Benefits:

    Apply Now for DHS Benefits
    How to Apply for DHS Benefits

Rhode Island Works (RIW)

    RIW is a temporary cash assistance program for families who have low or no income and who also have children of high school age or younger.

    It provides eligible parents and families who are unemployed or underemployed with both financial assistance and employment assistance so the adult member(s) of the family can enter or re-enter the workforce with necessary supports as quickly as possible.

    It also gives individualized and family support services, job readiness, job placement, employment training and retention services as well as chidcare, transportation and educational services towards the goal of improved long-term self-sufficiency.
  • Apply Now
  • How to Apply
  • Program Information
  • Eligibility
  • Am I Required to Work?
  • Overpayment Options
  • RIW Employment Plan Resource Manual:
  • RI Red Book 2017
  • Rules and Regulations
  • Verification Checklist
  • Family Option Advocacy Program:
  • EnglishSpanish

Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired

    Office of Rehabilitation Services, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

    "To empower individuals with disabilities to choose, prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and integration into society. "
    It is the intent of the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) that individuals with visual impairments receive the highest quality services based on levels of expertise and experience of the service providers. Consequently, individuals diagnosed with visual impairments will be referred to Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a unit within ORS.

    The Department of Human Services is responsible for providing public assistance programs to the population they serve. Click below to apply for DHS Benefits:

    Apply Now for DHS Benefits
    How to Apply for DHS Benefits
    Verification Checklist

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SSI Assisted Living Program

    The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Enhanced Assisted Living Program is a state and federal program for adults over age 65 and adults with disabilities. The program provides financial assistance to eligible individuals who are assessed and found to be in need of services provided in an Assisted Living Facility. The SSI Enhanced benefit allows for an increased SSI payment to help cover the cost of room and board. To qualify, an individual must participate in an assessment and be considered an appropriate candidate for admission.
  • How to Apply
  • Eligibility
  • Forms

SSI - SSP State Supplemental Payment Program

    The State Supplemental Payment (SSP) provides a small supplement to recipients of the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It is designed to aid the aged, blind, or disabled who have little or no income and resources. Both SSI and SSP benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for both programs is determined by SSA using Federal criteria. If you qualify for SSI, you qualify for SSP. The benefits are in the form of cash assistance.

  • Apply Now
  • How to Apply
  • Program Information
  • Verification Checklist

Veterans Services

    The Rhode Island Office of Veteran Affairs, a division within the Department of Human Services, develops and maintains support for RI Veterans by improving communications and assistance to help veterans keep their independence.

    With our new Veterans Home, which officially opened in November 2017, we are one of the first states to use the new "community living" concept for veterans' long-term care rather than the previous, institutional model.

    The Rhode Island Veteran Memorial Cemetery serves as a dignified, solemn resting place for those who have served and their eligible spouses or dependents.

  • Apply Now for DHS Benefits
  • How to Apply for DHS Benefits
  • Providence VA Medical Center
  • RI Division of Veterans Affairs
  • RI Veterans Home
  • RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs