While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to low-income families. The goal of TANF is to help families become financially self-sufficient. States and U.S. Territories receive block grants from the federal government, which are used to fund each state and territory’s specific TANF program.
Learn more about the TANF program and its primary purposes here.
In Rhode Island, the TANF program is known as the Rhode Island Works Program (RIW). To learn more about RIW and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Rhode Island Works website here.
Rhode Island Works in Rhode Island (RIW) provides temporary assistance to financially support families in need. The RIW program also provides eligible families with work preparation services to help them re-enter the workforce or find more stable employment.
For more information on the services the RIW program provides to participating families, review the Rhode Island TANF PDF found here.
RIW and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, RIW benefits are money that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions.
To learn more about the restrictions on RIW expenditures, visit the RIW rules and regulations PDF here.
Both RIW and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, RIW benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM. Food Assistance benefits cannot.
Many RIW participants also qualify for Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
To apply for Food Assistance and/or RIW, visit the Rhode Island Benefit Portal here.
If you have questions about RIW or Food Assistance, call the Department of Human Services at 1 (855) 697-4347.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources.
For example, eligible families of 4 can receive a maximum of $634 per month. Families can receive these benefits for up to 48 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about RIW and benefit amounts in Rhode Island here.
To qualify for RIW in Rhode Island, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements and work and training requirements here.
Caretakers of children who cannot be taken care of by their immediate family may also qualify for benefits under the Caretaker Relative Grant or Child-Only RIW Grant. This grant takes into consideration the situation of emergency caregivers and will only count the resources and the income of the child (if any) and not those of the caretaker.
To learn more about who can receive RIW benefits, click here.
Before you apply for Rhode Island Works in Rhode Island, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the RIW eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Rhode Island Department of Human Services website here.
To apply for RIW online, create an account on Rhode Island’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the virtual application form.
To apply for RIW in person, click here to find the nearest Rhode Island Department of Human Services office location.
Note: Due to COVID-19 it is recommended that you contact your local office before going to apply in person.
To apply for RIW by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the following address:
RI Department of Human Services P.O. Box 8709
Cranston, RI 02920-8787
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the Rhode Island Department of Human Services at 1 (855) 697-4347.
If you need the application in Spanish or Portuguese, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for RIW online, in person or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services within 30 days of receiving your application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits, if you are eligible.
If you have a valid bank account listed on your application, your RIW benefits will be deposited within 14 days of when you receive your determination letter. Otherwise, you will receive an EBT card in the mail within 14 days.
Once you receive your benefits, you can use them to support your family as you see fit, while following the restrictions.
Note that if you receive an EBT card, you will only be allowed to purchase items at stores that display the Quest Logo, and you can only withdraw cash from ATMs that display the Quest Logo.
Learn more information about how to use your EBT card and how benefits will be distributed here.
If you require additional assistance or have questions about your determination call 1 (855) 697-4347.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within the number of days enclosed in your benefit letter.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing, you can submit your request by mail or by fax.
To appeal by fax, you will need to fill out the request form found here and sent it to (401) 223-6317
To appeal by mail, fill out the Fair Hearing Request form found here and mail it to the following address:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
P.O. BOX 8709
CRANSTON, RI 02920-8787
If you need assistance filing your request form call (855) 840-4774 or visit the appeals page here.
For help with obtaining Rhode Island Works in Rhode Island, or for any further questions about your application, call the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) at 1 (855) 697-4347.
To send the Rhode Island Department of Human Services information physically, you can drop off your documents in the drop boxes outside the department’s offices. You can also visit or call a local DHS office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free TANF Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.