SUN Bucks Update Families who received SUN Bucks benefits for their eligible school-age child on July 1, 2024 have until October 30 to use the benefits on their EBT or SUN Bucks card(s). These benefits were issued over the summer, automatically with some exceptions, to eligible school-age children who would have received free or reduced priced lunch during the regular school year. These extra benefits will be removed from cards if they are not used by October 30. Additional information about SUN Bucks is available online here: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/supplemental-nutrition-10
Interpretation Services Available If you are seeking information about DHS programs and services in a language other than English, please be advised that interpretation services and/or interpreters 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.
DHS Issues Additional Pandemic Related Cash Payment to Eligible RI Works Households Published on Thursday, July 28, 2022 This week, the RI Department of Human Services (DHS) will be disbursing an additional benefit amount of $370 for each eligible child who previously received Rhode Island Works benefits. Funded through the Pandemic Emergency Allotment Fund provided by the federal government, the one-time payment will provide temporary relief from inflation related costs experienced by RI Works households. “Everyone has seen the price of goods rise due to nationwide inflation, but those costs may weigh more heavily for customers who are receiving essential public benefits to pay for food, housing, transportation, or utilities,” said DHS Acting Director Yvette M. Mendez. “Every dollar our customers receive matters. We appreciate the support from our federal partners to help ease the costs of raising a family for RI Works households.” To be eligible for the additional benefit, families must have been enrolled in RI Works and have dependent children who received benefits from September 1, 2021, through May 30, 2022. Families may have more than one eligible dependent child for the extra allotment. The additional issuance amounts to approximately $2.7 million in total benefits for 7,325 children in eligible RI Works households. Benefits will be disbursed on the household’s EBT card. These benefits will be expunged if families do not use the funds within 90 days. Eligible RI Works households will receive a notice in the mail about the extra allotment. Regular issuances of RI Works benefits are issued on the 1st and 16th of each month.