RHODE ISLAND
Find out how much assistance your family may receive in Rhode Island, based on your income.
The benefits listed below are estimates of what a single-parent family of two with no income can expect to receive in Rhode Island, including Medicaid.
Summer EBT/SUN Bucks is only available during the summer months of June, July, and August.
This is an unofficial benefits estimator and not an application. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application.
Rhode Island EITC
Modeled after the federal credit, Rhode Island EITC is put in place to help reduce poverty among working families. Under current state law, low-income taxpayers with jobs can receive a credit worth 16% of the federal EITC.
For example, a family in RI qualifying for the maximum EITC will receive an additional tax credit worth up to $1,189 — a significant amount for struggling working families.
How much is Rhode Island Earned Income Credit?
Still, the RI’s benefit is comparatively less generous when compared to its neighboring states, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Connecticut’s refundable EITC is 40%, while Massachusetts offers 40%.
Rhode Island Works
Rhode Island Works (TANF) offers temporary cash assistance to families with children up to age 18 as well as pregnant women. Other benefits include health coverage, child care assistance, and work-readiness for enrolled parents.
Because the overall goal of RI Works is to encourage families to work and become self-sufficient, participants are required to work or participate in work related activities for the minimum number of hours per week.
How much cash assistance will I get in RI?
The amount of cash assistance you may get largely depends on your income and household size. For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $721 in monthly cash benefits.
How do I apply for TANF in RI?
You may apply for RI Works online at HealthSource RI or in person at your local DHS office near you.
For additional details about RI Works, please call
(855) 697-4347
Rhode Island SNAP
Rhode Island SNAP helps eligible single adults, couples, children and families, who may be working but are still struggling financially, to buy food and provide nutritional meals for themselves.
Eligibility is determined by certain factors, mainly your income and household size. In general, families with gross monthly income below 185% of the federal poverty level may qualify for SNAP benefits.
| Family Size | ANNUAL LIMIT | MONTLY LIMIT | WEEKLY LIMIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,861 | $2,322 | $536 |
| 2 | $37,814 | $3,151 | $727 |
| 3 | $47,767 | $3,981 | $919 |
| 4 | $57,720 | $4,810 | $1,110 |
| 5 | $67,673 | $5,639 | $1,301 |
| 6 | $77,626 | $6,469 | $1,493 |
| 7 | $87,579 | $7,298 | $1,684 |
| 8 | $97,532 | $8,128 | $1,876 |
Under the new Food Access Pilot Program, eligible elderly, disabled and homeless SNAP participants can now use their EBT cards to purchase meals at participating restaurants.
How do I apply for food stamps in RI?
If you wish to apply for food stamps in RI, please submit an online application for expedited processing. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will be able to access your benefits no later than 30 days.
Rhode Island SUN Bucks
Starting July 2024, Rhode Island will be offering SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, to eligible school-age kids. Families with eligible school-age children will receive a one-time summer issuance of $120 per child for groceries.
Currently, school-age children (ages 6 – 18) receiving SNAP, RI Works,or Medicaid will automatically receive SUN Bucks benefits in the summer. The benefits will be added to an existing EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.
The SUN Bucks application is available online for anyone who did not receive the benefit through the automated process. To apply for SUN Bucks, you can submit a paper application available here or apply online.
Rhode Island Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Rhode Island CCAP helps eligible families in Rhode Island pay for child care while they work, go to school or training, or participate in other work-related activities.
CCAP is available to families with earnings up to 200% of the federal poverty level and are working a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Depending on their family size, income level, and number of children, families may be required to pay a co-payment — usually no more than 7% of their income.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Rhode Island?
A family is considered “income eligible” when the total gross monthly income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application.
Families can continue to participate in the program until their income is above 300% of the federal poverty level, or $6,455 a month for a family of three.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Rhode Island?
For additional details or an application for the CCAP, please call the Department of Human Services at (855) 697-4347. For assistance finding a provider, call BrightStars at (855) 398-7605.
RIte Care
RIte Care, also known as “Medicaid”, is a federal and state funded program that pays for medical and health related services for eligible Rhode Islanders as well as families on the RI Works.
As Rhode Island is expanding Medicaid, RIte Care is now available to eligible adults age 19-64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). In addition, Medicaid continues to be available for low-income children, parents, and pregnant women.
| RI Medicaid | 266% | 258% | 138% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $40,060 | $38,855 | $20,783 |
| 2 | $54,370 | $52,735 | $28,207 |
| 3 | $68,681 | $66,616 | $35,632 |
| 4 | $82,992 | $80,496 | $43,056 |
| 5 | $97,303 | $94,376 | $50,480 |
| 6 | $111,614 | $108,257 | $57,905 |
| 7 | $125,924 | $122,137 | $65,329 |
| 8 | $140,235 | $136,018 | $72,754 |
How do I apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is operating a State-Based Marketplace, known as HealthSource RI — through which you can apply for Medicaid or other private health insurance.
Children under age 19 with serious disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs may apply for medical coverage through the Katie Beckett Program.
To apply for Medicaid through the Katie Beckett provision, a parent or guardian would need to complete a paper DHS-2 Application and mail it to:
DHS/State of Rhode Island
P.O. Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920-8787
RI Housing Choice Voucher Program
Managed by Rhode Island Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also referred to as Section 8 Rental Assistance, helps eligible families lease privately owned rental units from participating landlords in one of 20 Rhode Island communities.
The program provides vouchers to very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to cover a portion of their rent. In most cases, Rhode Islanders in this program must have an income not exceeding 50% of HUD’s median family income.
How do I qualify for Section 8 housing in RI?
To apply to be placed on the waiting lists, contact the local housing agency in the city or town where you live or apply online at www.waitlistcentralri.com.
RoadHome Emergency Housing Assistance (RHEHA)
RoadHome Emergency Housing Assistance (RHEHA) is designed to help lower-income Rhode Island families in need of housing help.
RHEHA provides cash assistance and grants to families and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless due to a short term housing emergency.
RHEHA will give up to $1,200 to eligible people to help them pay for first month’s rent. It also offers mortgage payment assistance or security deposits.
If you need immediate assistance finding a home due to a temporary housing crisis, contact
Lisa Sanchez or Jocelyn Mata
(401) 457-1197
Rhode Island Hospital Charity Care Program
Each hospital in Rhode Island has a “charity care program.” The hospital may cover all or part of the bill for uninsured, low-income Rhode Islanders who couldn’t afford to pay.
Full coverage is limited to patients whose income is up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Those with income between 200% and 300% may get discounted hospital care based on a sliding scale.
To learn if you qualify, call or visit any Financial Services Office at any hospital in Rhode Island or contact the HEALTH Information Line at (800) 942-7434.
RI Free Clinics
There are two (2) free clinics in Rhode Island for uninsured, low-income Rhode Islanders in need of health care. Both offer free primary care services and medications and some specialty services to patients with income at or below 200% of the poverty level.
Rhode Island Free Clinic
655 Broad St.,
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 274-6347
Clinica Esperanza Hope Clinic
60 Valley St.,
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 347-9093
To schedule an appointment to see if you qualify please call (401) 274-6347.
Rhode Island Head Start / Early Head Start
Rhode Island Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs designed to improve the school readiness of children in low-income families. Early Head Start serves children from birth to age 3, and Head Start serves children up to 5 years old.
Most RI programs accept families with incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Some may accept families up to 130% if there is capacity. Those receiving cash assistance from the RI works is automatically income-eligible.
What is the income limit for Head Start in Rhode Island?
How do I apply for Head Start in RI?
For more information or assistance finding a provider contact The Rhode Island Head Start Association at (401)-351-2750. Due to funding limitations, applicants may be placed on a waitlist.
Rhode Island Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Rhode Island’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income eligible families pay their heating bills. RIHEAP usually opens in October each year and runs through April.
Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $1,221. In some emergency situations, crisis assistance is also available to help households in immediate danger of being without heat.
What is the income limit for heating assistance in Rhode Island?
Households are income-eligible for HEAP when the household’s gross income is equal to or less than 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) for their household size. The current guidelines are shown in the table below.
How do I apply for HEAP in RI?
Online application is not available. You must apply in person at one of 9 community action agencies listed here, each accepts applications for RIHEAP assistance.
Rhode Island Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.
Rhode Island LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that helps eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment issued directly to the utility company.
To be eligible, households must have an annual income at or below 60% of the state median income and a demonstrated need for water assistance.
LIHWAP is available through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted. Priority is given to households with the elderly, disabled or a young child under age 6.
How do I get help paying my water bill in RI?
If you are struggling to pay your water or wastewater bills, please contact the local Community Action Program (CAP) in your area that will walk you through the application process.
Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance
Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to eligible Rhode Islanders who have become unemployed through no fault of their own.
Rhode Island’s unemployment compensation is rather “generous” compared with other states equalling to 57.5% of the average weekly wage for covered employment.
To qualify for unemployment benefits in RI, you must have, prior to filing a claim,
- earned at least $5,600 in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters, AND
- earned at least $2,800 in one of those quarters, AND
- have total wages in your base period that are at least one and one-half times your highest single-quarter wages.
How much do I get for unemployment in Rhode Island?
For new claims with an effective date of July 1, 2024, or later, the maximum weekly benefit amount is set at $723, an increase of $18 from the previous rate of $705.
The dependents’ allowance is an additional $15 or 5% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is greater, per dependent, up to a maximum of five dependents.
How do I claim my weekly unemployment benefits in RI?
Claims for weekly benefits may be filed online within 7 days of your last day of employment or if you wish to file your initial claim over the phone, please call (401) 415-6772.
NEW claimants must post a resume to EmployRI by the 6th consecutive week of collecting UI benefits. Failure to do so will cause a delay or loss of benefits.
Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI)
Rhode Island became the third state to mandate paid leave — joining California and New Jersey. The law allows all RI employees to take up to 6 weeks of paid leave to bond with a newborn baby or care for a seriously ill family member.
Under RI’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI), eligible employees may receive up to 60% of their regular pay when on leave — the lowest amongst all paid family leave policies in the country.
You may apply online at TDI/TCI Online or download a paper application to complete and return to
Temporary Disability Insurance
P.O. Box 20100,
Cranston, RI
02920
In addition, you need to provide your employer with written notice of your intent to take a leave of absence at least 30 days before the leave begins.
Rhode Island Supplemental Grant
Rhode Island Supplemental Grant is the state’s primary need-based grant program designed to provide non-payable grants to eligible students residing in Rhode Island whose incomes are not sufficient to meet the costs of higher education.
Students must have a calculated financial need of at least $1000 to be eligible for a RI state award. Award amounts range from a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $1,400.
Students may apply for RI state grant each academic year by submitting the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.