RHODE ISLAND

RI Works

RI Works (TANF) offers temporary cash assistance and work readiness services to low-income families with children up to age 18 as well as pregnant women.

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.

For example, single mothers must work or participate in work activities for at least 20 or 30 hours per week depending on the age of the youngest child.

How much cash assistance will I get in RI?

The amount of cash assistance you may receive in Rhode Island largely depends on your income, household size, and housing situation.

For example, a family of three with little or no income may receive up to $865 per month in cash benefits, or less if they live in subsidized housing.

How do I apply for TANF in RI?

You may apply for RI Works online  or in person at your local DHS office  near you. Once your application is received, an eligibility worker will set up a face-to-face interview to screen your likely eligibility.

Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(855) 697-4347

Rhode Island SNAP

Rhode Island SNAP helps eligible individuals and families afford food and maintain a healthier diet by providing monthly food assistance benefits.

Eligibility is determined by certain factors, mainly your income and household size. Most families with income up to 185% of the federal poverty level may qualify for SNAP benefits.

Households with an older adult or someone with a disability may qualify if their income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

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 SNAP in RI?

To apply for SNAP in RI, submit your application through HealthyRhode RI  or call (855) 697-4347 to request an application. Proof of income and other documentation is required.

Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(855) 697-4347

Rhode Island SUN Bucks

Starting July 2024, Rhode Island will be offering SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, to eligible school-age child when school is not in session. Eligible families with school-age children (ages 6—18) will receive a one-time payment of $120 per child for groceries in the summer.

Most eligible families do not need to apply. Benefits are automatically loaded onto an existing EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.

Applications for SUN Bucks are available online  for families who did not receive the benefit through the automated process.

Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(855) 697-4347

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 261% 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 261% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application. ¹

Families can continue to participate in the program until their income is above 300% of the federal poverty level, or about $6,663 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Rhode Island?

For more info or to request an application, please call the Department of Human Services at (855) 697-4347 or go to a local DHS office  to submit a DHS-2 application. ²

Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
(855) 697-4347

For assistance finding a provider, call
BrightStars
(401) 739-6100

RIte Care

RIte Care, also known as “Medicaid”, is a federal and state funded program that pays for medical and health related services for families with children, pregnant women, and children under age 19.

RIte Care provides comprehensive health care, with a focus on primary and preventive care, through participating health plans, including:

1. Tufts Health Plan
2. Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
3. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Beyond standard checkups, the program covers specialists, prescriptions, hospital stays, mental health services and RIte Smiles for dental care.

What is the monthly income limit for Medicaid in Rhode Island?

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.

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.

Katie Beckett Program

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 19 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. The income limits vary by household size and the community in which the apartment is located.

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 .

Rhode Island Housing (RIHousing)
Housing Choice Voucher Program
(844) 459-3600

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

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.

Families with children from birth through age five may be eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start services if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Have income at or below the federal poverty level
2. Receive public assistance,
   — RI Works
   — SNAP
   — SSI
3. Have a child in foster care
4. Are experiencing homelessness

What is the income limit for Head Start in Rhode Island?

A family is eligible for the Head Start program if its household income is at or below the federal poverty level. That’s about $2,221 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for Head Start in RI?

To apply for a Head Start program in Rhode Island, you must contact the specific provider that serves your local community. Due to funding limitations, applicants may be placed on a waitlist.

Rhode Island Head Start Association 
(401) 351-2750

Rhode Island Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Rhode Island’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 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 $1,148. 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 LIHEAP 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 to apply for LIHEAP in Rhode Island?

LIHEAP applications in Rhode Island are accepted in person at your local Community Action Agency . The application period runs from October 1, 2025, through April 15, 2026.

Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 234-9876

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, contact the local Community Action Agency  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 Island workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own.

To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period ’ and must have, prior to filing a claim:

1. earned at least $6,000 in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters, AND
2. at least $3,000 in one of those quarters, AND
3. total wages in your base period that are at least 1.5 times your highest single-quarter wages.

For example, if your highest-paid quarter was $6,000, your total base-period wages must be at least $7,500 ($6,000 × 1.25) during the base period.

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 $745, 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, call UI Call center at (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. ³

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Division of Unemployment Insurance
(401) 415-6772

Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI)

Rhode Island became the third state to offer paid parental leave in 2013, following California and New Jersey. The law allows all RI employees to take up to 8 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, up to $1,103 per week.

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 students from the lowest-income families in the state.

Students with a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI) of at least 1,000 may receive a minimum of $300 per academic year, up to a maximum of $1,400.

There is no separate application. Students must complete the FAFSA to be automatically considered, preferably by March 1 for priority consideration.

Rhode Island Commissioner of Postsecondary Education
Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
(401) 736-1100

Rhode Island Promise

Rhode Island Promise is a “last-dollar” scholarship that covers two years of tuition and fees at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) for any eligible Rhode Islander, regardless of income.

As a “last-dollar” program, it covers the remaining balance of your tuition and mandatory fees after all other aid has been applied to your bill.

To be considered for the scholarship, students age 18 or below are encouraged to complete their FAFSA by May 1, 2026 for priority consideration.

Community College of Rhode Island
Financial Aid Office
(401) 825-1210

Sundlun Scholarship for Single Parents

The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship supports low-income single parents who are residents of Rhode Island and pursuing higher education or career-skills training.

Managed by the Rhode Island Foundation, the Sundlun Scholarship is open to both men and women, is renewable, and awards range from $500 to $2,000 per year.

Preference is given to those who are currently or have previously received state aid or those who have been previously incarcerated.

Rhode Island Foundation 
One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903
(401) 274-4564

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 $1,287 — a significant amount for struggling working families.

How much is Rhode Island Earned Income Credit?

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax in Rhode Island?

If your RI EITC is $1,287 and you owe $0 in state income tax, and you receive the full $1,287 as a refund as illustrated in the table below: