BENEFITS BULLETIN ARCHIVE
JULY 14, 2010: SUMMARIES NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND ADULTS
In addition to our full online Guide, we are now also offering printable summaries that provide an overview of benefits and programs available to low-income Rhode Island families and adults. We encourage providers to print out these summaries and have them available for families and individuals that are seeking assistance. These summaries are meant to be a supplement to the Guide, and written so that families and individuals can better understand the eligibility rules and guidelines to the various programs that can help them meet their basic needs.
Click to access the Summary for Low-Income Families, or the Summary for Low-Income Adults.
We hope this will be a helpful resource for you and for low-income Rhode Islanders. Please visit www.povertyinstitute.org/guide to reivew the full list of online resources we have available through the Guide.
JUNE 22, 2010: RI WORKS CASH ASSISTANCE AND HARDSHIP EXCEPTIONS
At the end of June, 850 families (including 1,200 children) around the state will lose their RI Works cash assistance benefits because they will reach the new 24 month time limit. Families can continue to receive cash assistance benefits if they request a "hardship exception" by submitting a one-page hardship request form to the local DHS office. Families should do this as soon as possible to avoid a break in benefits but can submit a request even after benefits stop. Hardship benefits are granted for three months at a time and the family can reapply. A family can qualify for hardship benefits based on a number of reasons that prevent a parent from having a job including the state's high unemployment rate; the parent is disabled or caring for a disabled spouse or child; the family is homeless or experiencing domestic violence. The parent will need to participate in an appropriate activity to keep the hardship benefits.
Here is how providers can help:
- Read our memo with more information on steps you can take to help these families
- Help the parent submit the hardship request form (also available in Spanish) and gather the necessary documentation (C1-B form) for those requesting hardship because of a disability.
- Post and/or pass out this parent flyer. The flyer includes a space for you to give the name of the person(s) at your office that can help the family submit the DHS application.
Please visit our RI Works page for more information about receiving cash assistance and applying for hardship exceptions.
JUNE 9, 2010: IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AND RITE CARE
Most lawfully present immigrant children are now eligible for Medical Assistance (including RIte Care, RIte Share and Katie Beckett) as oflong as they meet other eligibitlity rules. This includes children who have "green cards" (lawful permanent residents) who no longer have to wait five years to be eligible for coverage. Children who are refugees or asylees and others who have a legal status are also eligible. Families should contact a Family Resource Counselor for help applying for their children. Click here for a list of Family Resource Counselors.
Useful documents:
• CHART: Immigrant eligibility for Medical Assistance
• CHART: Immigrant eligibility for other public benefits
• FLIER: To post or share alerting families to the new eligibility for children
Please visit our RIte Care/RIte Share page for more information about eligibility for health insurance.
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