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.
Looking for Additional Food and Meals Published on Friday, March 20, 2020 The RI Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to helping its customers get the resources they need while the State responds to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). If more is needed beyond what can be received with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance benefits, here are other options for vulnerable populations: For families with students out of school, there are meals being provided by the school districts. Please contact your local district for more information on the plan for food distribution. In the meantime, a full list of free food sites across Rhode Island for school children can be found here: Department of Health Food Sites for Children (see link below). You can search by city or town. Across Rhode Island, the Office of Healthy Aging helps fund roughly 70 Community Table meal sites for our senior residents. Currently, all meal sites are closed to congregate dining, but are doing either grab-and-go and/or deliveries to their CURRENT clients. Visit http://www.oha.ri.gov/what-we-do/connect/nutrition/community-tables/ to find a meal site in your city or town. The RI Coalition for the Homeless has a list of meal sites for this vulnerable population. This list can be found at: https://www.rihomeless.org/meal-sites. The RI Community Food Bank has made some adjustments to its operations, but continues to deliver food through our statewide network of member agencies. To find a food pantry near you, go to the Rhode Community Food Bank (see link below). Department of Health Food Sites for Children RI Community Food Bank