Guide Update - Alert about February SNAP benefits and updated information about affordable insurance options

E-newsletter | January 2019

Early issuance of February SNAP Benefits

Due to the continued Federal Government shutdown, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) needs to issue SNAP benefits early in order to ensure that clients receive their February benefits.

Current SNAP recipients will receive their February benefits by January 20th.

People renewing SNAP benefits: If the renewal is completed by DHS by January 16, the February benefits will be on the EBT card by January 20. If the renewal is completed after January 16, February benefits will be available on February 1. People who need to renew for January, but have not done so, should send in their renewal form and documents as soon as possible .

New applications that are approved between January 16th-30th will receive both January (prorated) and February benefits in January, when their case is approved.

It’s important for households to understand that they will not get SNAP benefits again until March 1 (and only if the federal government makes funds available).

Please help spread the word by notifying your clients of the change. You can download a Rhode Island DHS flyer about the changes in English , Spanish and Portuguese .

If you have questions, call the SNAP Outreach Hotline at 1-866-306-0270.

Affordable Health Insurance Coverage Update

We have updated our fact sheet explaining options for uninsured Rhode Islanders to obtain health insurance coverage and the fact sheet explaining coverage for immigrants to reflect the 2019 income limits for coverage purchased through HealthSource RI (HSRI). The Medicaid income limits should be adjusted in March. Both factsheets (available in English and Spanish) can be downloaded here .

Open enrollment through HealthSource RI (HSRI) to purchase coverage for 2019 has closed. However, people who need insurance due to a change in circumstances may be eligible to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Reasons to be eligible for SEP include: losing health insurance at work, losing coverage through parent’s health insurance, change in household size (adoption, birth, marriage, divorce), loss of Medicaid or other public coverage, change in immigration status, new to Rhode Island.

In most cases, the person must enroll within 60 days from the life-changing event. Families and individuals with income below the applicable Medicaid limit can enroll in coverage at any time.

To enroll in Medicaid or HSRI during a SEP you can: