Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

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 EBT card can also be used to buy food on-line at Amazon, Walmart and Aldi’s. For more information, see the DHS Online Shopping Guide with SNAP EBT Resource Guide. The monthly amount depends on countable income and family size. The maximum amount of benefits is shown below.

Who Qualifies?

• Individuals and families.
• Must be a citizen or eligible legal immigrant. Eligible immigrants only include certain Cuban or Haitian entrants; COFA migrants (i.e. people from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palu); or Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs).  An adult LPR must be in status for 5 years before they are eligible for RIte Care/RIte Share. Lawful permanent residents (LPR) who entered the U.S. after 8/22/96 must be in status for five years before they are eligible. This five-year bar does not apply if the LPR is receiving disability-related assistance; or has credit for 40 quarters of work; or is a veteran, active-duty military, the spouse, or unmarried surviving spouse, or child of a veteran/active-duty military.  

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.

Work Requirements

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–64 must work or participate in qualifying work activities (such as training, volunteering, or working) for at least 80 hours per month (or equivalent income based off the federal minimum wage) to receive SNAP benefits. Without meeting this requirement or an exemption, benefits are limited to three months within a 36-month period

New categories of recipients who must meet work requirements: 

• The age range for work requirements has increased to 18–64 (previously individuals under 65 were exempt)
• Adults with children age 14 and older are now subject to work requirements (previously adults with children under age 18 were exempt)
• Groups who are no longer categorically exempt from work requirements include veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults age 24 and under who have aged out of foster care 

RI Department of Human Services provides waivers for those unable to meet work requirements: 

• Community Partner ABWAD Exemption
• Client ABWAD Exemption Request  

How to Apply

Apply online (healthyrhode.ri.gov) or fill out a paper application. To download a paper application click here. You can also call 1 (855) 697-4347 to request an application or go to a local DHS office.

Proof of income and other documentation is required. Applicants must also have an interview with a DHS worker which can be at the DHS office or by phone, at the applicant’s choice.

The SNAP paper application is the “DHS-2” which is an application for many other DHS benefits. Applicants using the DHS-2 who only want SNAP benefits can answer only those questions where the SNAP icon appears.

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.

Applicants denied SNAP benefits and recipients who are notified that benefits will be reduced or terminated can request a hearing within 90 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 denied or terminated from SNAP.
 

Income Guidelines (October 2025 - September 2026)

*The amount of SNAP benefit is based on household income. The higher the income, the lower the benefit. The minimum benefit for a household with 1 to 2 people is $23.