The Poverty Institute works to develop and promote policies to improve the economic security of low- and modest- income Rhode Islanders and ensure that tax and budget policies are equitable and adequate to fund vital public services.
SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides a monthly benefit for the purchase of food items through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT). The card is used at participating supermarkets and convenience stores. The monthly amount depends on countable income and family size. The maximum amount of benefits is shown below.
Who Qualifies? • Parents and children.
• Elders (age 60+) and people with disabilities.
• Must be a citizen or eligible legal immigrant. Eligible immigrants include: Persons granted refugee or asylum status or withholding of deportation/removal, Cuban/Haitian entrant or Amerasian immigrant. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who are under age 18 or are receiving disability-related assistance. Otherwise LPR must have entered U.S. before 8/22/96 or if entered on/after after 8/22/96, must be in status for five years or more or have credit for 40 quarters of work.
Income and Resource Limits For most households there is no resource test for SNAP benefits. For seniors or households with a member age 60+ there is a resource test of $3,000 if the senior has income above 200% FPL. One car per adult household member is not counted (to maximum of two). The home in which the senior/household lives in not counted.
For most households, there is a gross income test and net income test (countable income after food stamp deductions are applied). For households with an elder or disabled member, there is no gross income test. These households may qualify for SNAP benefits even if gross income is $500 or so higher than the amount listed on the guidelines chart below.
How to Apply Apply online or at the local DHS office. To find the nearest office call DHS at (401) 462-5300 or see Where to Apply.
If the application is filed on-line, required documentation (e.g., proof of income) needs to be mailed or brought to the DHS office. An interview is also required as part of the application process. The interview can be at the DHS office or by phone, at the applicant’s choice. If the application is filed on-line, DHS will send the applicant instructions regarding the interview and submission of documents. Seniors can use a shorter SNAP application requested from the DHS office or click here to download the form online.
DHS must make a decision on a SNAP application within 30 days of the date of filing the application (the date the application is submitted on-line or signed at the DHS office). Some households are entitled to have a decision on their application and SNAP benefits provided within 7 days of their application. Households entitled to this “expedited service” are those who have gross income less than $150/month and less than $100 in resources; households with combined monthly income and resources less than monthly rent and utilities and destitute migrant or seasonal farm workers.
Households need to renew eligibility for SNAP once a year.
Households that are applying for RI Works benefits or GPA benefits can apply for SNAP with the same application and eligibility is renewed when RI Works eligibility is redetermined.
Applicants denied SNAP benefits and recipients who are notified that benefits will be reduced or terminated can request a hearing within 30 days of the date on the notice. If a hearing is requested within 10 days of the notice of benefit reduction or termination, benefits can continue until a hearing decision is reached. If the household loses the hearing, benefits must be repaid. RI Legal Services (1-800-662-5034) may provide assistance to households who denied or terminated from SNAP.
For more information on applying for SNAP benefits contact the RI Food Stamp Outreach Project at 1-866-306-0270 or click here to go to their website.
what's this?