BENEFITS BULLETIN ARCHIVE
DECEMBER 2011
ADDITIONS TO GUIDE: Mortgage Assistance, Free Clinics, and Assistance for 18-21 Year Olds
- New "Hardest Hit Fund" Page: See the Hardest Hit Fund page to learn more about a program that seeks to prevent foreclosures by helping homeowners who are unable to make their mortgage payments due to a hardship such as job loss or underemployment.
- New "Free Clinic" Page: See the Free Clinics page to learn about two clinics - Rhode Island Free Clinic and Clinica Esperanza-Hope Clinic - that offer uninsured patients free primary care services, medications and some specialty services.
- New Summary of Assistance for 18-21 Year Olds: Need information on assistance for young adults? The guide now includes a chart (pdf) that details programs available to 18-21 year olds.
NEW WAY TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP STREAMLINES RITE CARE/MEDICAID APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants for RIte Care/RIte Share, Rhody Health Partners and other Medicaid programs who state they are citizens no longer need to provide paper documents to prove their citizenship. Instead, the Department of Human Services will now conduct a data match through the Social Security Administration to confirm citizenship and identity. If the data match is not successful, the applicant is notified by DHS, and can provide the necessary paper documentation.
Based on experience in other states, only a tiny number of data matches are expected not to be successful. DHS is also using this process to confirm citizenship and identity for other programs (SNAP, Child Care, RI Works). This new process went into effect on November 28, 2011.
NOVEMBER 2011
SNAP: No Early Issuance of Benefits
The Department of Human Services has ended "early issuance" of SNAP benefits for December and January. SNAP benefits do not last the whole month, so in past years participants received their December benefits before Thanksgiving and their January benefits before Christmas so they would be able to purchase food for the holidays. This year, December and January benefits will be issued on the first of the month. The SNAP Outreach Project has made flyers available in English and Spanish.
Road Home Emergency Housing Assistance (RHEHA): Eligibility Updates
The income limits for the RHEHA program have been updated for FY2012. In addition, eligibility is now based on a family's 90 day income only, instead of both the 90-day and 12 month income. To see the new income limits and learn more about the program, see the Guide's RHEHA page
Some families can now use SNAP benefits at approved restaurants
Homeless households and some elderly and disabled households can use their SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to purchase meals at approved restaurants. Four Subway restaurants in the Providence area have been approved to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. Participating restaurants will have a sign on the door/window. If a participant is eligible, their EBT and will automatically work to purchase the meal. For more information and a list of participating restaurants, see the attached flyer or contact the URI SNAP Outreach Project: 1-866-306-0270 or www.eatbettertoday.com
OCTOBER 2011
RITE CARE/RITE SHARE PREMIUMS WILL NOT BE INCREASED
As part of the FY2012 budget, premiums for RIte Care/RIte Share were scheduled to increase from an average of 3.5% of family income to 5% of income beginning in October. However, the state needed approval from CMS, the federal Medicaid agency, to implement the premium increase and at the end of September, CMS denied the state's request.
Families with income above 150% of the federal poverty level ($27,795 for a family of 3) are required to pay a monthly premium. Approximately 5,500 families pay premiums. Families were notified in early September that the new premiums would go into effect in October and then notified at the end of September that the premium would not increase. Families were not billed for the October premium and will be getting a bill for both the October and November premiums around October 12.
If a family fails to pay premiums for 2 months, the family is "sanctioned" and ineligible for Rite Care/RIte Share for 4 months. If the family is current in premium payment, as long as they pay at least one premium amount by mid-November there will not be a sanction. The balance will still need to be paid. However, if the family has a past premium due, they must pay both premiums by mid-November to avoid a sanction.
NEW INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR LIHEAP
The new 2011/2012 Guidelines for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have been announced and are posted on the Guide's LIHEAP page. LIHEAP offers assistance to low-income Rhode Islanders with energy needs, including heating and cooling assistance, energy crisis intervention, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repair. The program runs from November 1st to March 31st. Applications are available at local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.
NEW INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR SNAP
The eligibility limits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were increased beginning October 1, 2011. Visit the Guide's SNAP page to see the new limits. Applications for SNAP are available online at the DHS website. Help applying for SNAP is available from the RI SNAP Outreach Project.
AUGUST 2011
SIGN UP FOR FREE PUBLIC BENEFITS TRAININGS
New Roots and The Poverty Institute invite you to a free training about increasing your clients' and members' access to public benefits. "Building Economic Security for Workers and Their Families" trainings will be held:
September 15th, 2011, 9:30 - 12:30, Warwick Public Library
September 22nd, 9:30 - 12:30, Woonsocket Public Library
September 26th, 1:30 - 4:30, Newport Public Library
In this workshop we will provide an overview of the eligibility and application processes for the key work supports for low- and moderate-income families and individuals in Rhode Island: RIte Care/RIte Share, Child Care Assistance Program, SNAP and the Earned Income Tax Credit. We will also review key provisions of the RI Works Program that relate to workforce development and to receipt of cash assistance benefits. Finally, we will demonstrate The Poverty Institute's Guide To Government Assistance Programs, an on-line tool that can help staff refer families and individuals to a variety of resources to help meet basic needs. All workshops will be presented by Linda Katz or Rachel Flum from The Poverty Institute.
Click here to register.
FREE BACKPACK AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES THIS SATURDAY
The annual Back to School Celebration hosted by several community partners provides over 10,000 free backpacks and school supplies to students. This year the event will be held at 11 different sites across Rhode Island. The event will take place THIS Saturday, August 20th from 10am - 1pm. Children must be present to receive supplies. For more information and for the site closest to you, click here or call 401-374-4059 for more information.
SNAP RECIPIENTS CAN HAVE COST OF LOST FOOD REPLACED
Current SNAP recipients who may have lost food due to flooding or power outages can have the cost of lost food (up to the amount of their monthly SNAP benefit) replaced through replacement SNAP benefits. In order to get this special SNAP allotment, recipients must complete the attached form and bring it to their local DHS office within 10 days of the date of loss. Questions, contact the SNAP outreach project toll-free information line, 1-866-306-0270. Click here for the Food Replacement Benefits Application, which includes a list of the DHS offices and corresponding cities of service.
PROGRAM UPDATES: RI WORKS, RITE CARE AND RHODY HEALTH PARTNERS
SUMMARY OF UPDATES:
RIte Care and RI Works: Benefits can continue for parents whose children are temporarily removed by DCYF.
RIte Care and Rhody Health Partners: Continued enrollment in health plan pending outcome of hearing to challenge loss of eligibility.
DETAILS:
RIte Care and RI Works: Parents can continue to receive RI Works cash assistance and/or RIte Care when children are temporarily removed by DCYF.
Generally, to be eligible for RI Works or RIte Care, parents must have children living with them. Under a new rule, parents whose children are temporarily removed by DCYF can continue to receive RI Works and/or RIte Care for up to six months if:
(a) children were removed because of parent's mental health needs and the DCYF plan is to reunite the family;
(b) the parent is complying with the terms of the DCYF reunification plan and if the parent is receiving RI Works cash assistance, she/he is complying with the RI Works employment plan. The DCYF worker should inform the parent about eligibility for continued coverage and arrange for the coverage to be maintained.
RIte Care and Rhodey Health Partners: People enrolled in RIte Care or Rhody Health Partners can stay enrolled in their health plan when they challenge a termination of eligibility. RIte Care and Rhodey Partners are Medicaid programs. People who are notified that they are no longer eligible for Medicaid can request a hearing if they disagree with the decision. If the hearing is requested within 10 days, eligibility continues until a hearing decision is made. Under a new rule, people who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care (Rhody Health Partners or RIte Care) will continue to be enrolled in their health plan pending the outcome of the appeal. (Under the prior rule, a person who appealed an eligbility termination would remain eligible for Medicaid coverage, but be dis-enrolled from their health plan pending the outcome of the appeal.)
JULY 2011
FREE IMMUNIZATION AVAILABLE FOR UNINSURED CHILDREN
St. Joseph’s Immunization Clinic in Providence is offering free immunizations for children without insurance or a primary healthcare provider. Walk-in hours are available Tuesdays through Thursdays or appointments can be made for other times. Clinic is located at 21 Peace Street, Providence, 401-456-4359. Please feel free to post this flyer. As a reminder, children under the age of 19 with incomes less than 250% FPL – including lawfully permanent residents (LPR) - may be eligible for RIte Care Health Insurance. To find out more about eligibility requirements and to link to the RIte Care application see the RIte Care Guide Page.
SUMMER FOOD AND SCHOOL LUNCH UPDATE
The income limits for the Summer Food Service Program and the Free or Reduced Lunch and Breakfast were increased slightly on July 1st. Now that children are out of school for the summer, it is a good time to make sure that those eligible are receiving meals if needed. See the Summer Food Service Program in the Guide for more information.
IRS OPEN HOUSE OFFERED THIS SATURDAY, JULY 16
Having trouble getting to the IRS during regular business hours? The IRS office in Providence will be holding Saturday office hours this Saturday, July 16th from 9am - 2pm for assistance with a number of issues including payment arrangements, account inquiries (help with letters, notices and levies on your wages or bank account), and copies of tax returns & transcripts. Individuals who have not yet filed their 2010 tax return and whose income was less than $49,000 in 2010, can get free state and federal tax preparation services from the IRS as well.
Open House Location: IRS, 380 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2011. For more information (401) 525-4282. For other free tax preparation locations open through October, click here.
JUNE 2011
PUBLIC HEARING ON RHODE ISLAND'S CHILD CARE STATE PLAN
Rhode Island's draft state plan for the Child Care and Development Black Grant (CCDBG) for 2012-2013 is currently available for public review.
A public hearing will be held on June 15, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Arnold Conference Center in Cranston. People unable to attend the hearing may also submit written testimony by Friday, June 24, 2011 to Kimberly Merolla-Brito, Office of Policy Development, RI Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 57 Howard Avenue Fl # 1, Cranston, RI 02920.
Click here to access the plan.
RI WORKS VENDOR MANUAL "RED BOOK" NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Parents participating in RI Works are required to enter into an employment plan or a rehabilitation plan (for parents with disabilities) as a condition of their family's eligibility for RI Works cash benefits. DHS has now posted online the resource manual, or "Red Book", that includes the programs to which a parent may be referred to satisfy the employment plan requirement. Parents should be partners with the DHS workers in selecting the type of activity that best meets their need to achieve gainful employment.
Click here to access the manual.
JUNE 2011
ELIGIBILITY LIMITS AFFECTED BY CHANGE TO FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL
Effective April 2011, eligibility limits for government assistance programs changed because of an update to the Federal Poverty Level. The slight increase in eligibility limits may affect families who are seeking assistance from programs such as Rite Care Health Insurance and Child Care Assistance.
Our Guide to Government Assistance Programs has been updated to reflect these changes. We have revised the Guide's summaries of assistance for low-income Families and Adults for your reference. You can also access an updated grid of eligibility for public assistance programs by income limit.
JANUARY 2011
FREE TAX HELP AVAILABLE
The tax season is upon us, and there is free tax assistance for Rhode Islanders. Families can receive up to $11,500 in earned income tax and child tax credits, but must file an income tax return.
Click here for a list of sites where people can go for free tax assistance. Below are three fliers that providers can use to notify people about the availability of this help.
Flyer 1: Flyer for Rhode Islanders from National Women's Law Center Tax Credits Outreach Campaign
Flyer 2: Flyer for Rhode Islanders from United Way in English
Flyer 3: Flyer for Rhode Islanders from United Way in Spanish
SNAP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED IN WAKEFIELD OFFICE
Applications for SNAP benefits are now accepted at the Wakefield Office: Oliver Stedman Center, 4808 Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield. 782-4300 or 1-800-862-0222.
Click here to see a flyer with more details.
NEW DHS VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM PROVIDES EASIER ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The new DHS Interactive Voice Recognition System allows applicants and recipients to get information on SNAP benefits and other programs by calling 401-462-5300. The IVRS can be used to:
• Request an application for SNAP benefits
• Check their SNAP application status: approved, denied, pending
• Check their EBT balance for SNAP and for RI Works
• Find out their SNAP recertification and interim report deadlines
• Learn the DHS office hours
• Learn the DHS office locations and phone numbers
Click here for a flier for more information about this new system.
RI Works Hardship Benefits No Longer Limited to 12 Months.
On November 29th, in response to a lawsuit filed by RI Legal Services on behalf of two parents, a Superior Court judge ruled that DHS cannot limit hardship benefits to 12 months. As a result of the Superior Court's decision, families who are currently receiving hardship benefits should continue to be able to receive this assistance as long as a hardship exists and the parent is complying with work activities. Hardship benefits are provided for 6 months for the first period of eligibility and then in 3 month increments. Recipients have to reapply for benefits at the end of these periods.
Families in need of cash assistance who may have been turned away in the past because they had "used up" 12 months of hardship benefits can reapply for assistance and receive hardship benefits as described above. Families denied hardship benefits should contact RI Legal Services: (401) 274-2652 x 131.
For more information about Hardship Benefits please click here.
OCTOBER 2010
RI WORKS UPDATE: Initial Hardship Benefits Provided for 6 months
Under a new rule effective October 1, families eligible for hardship benefits will receive an initial 6 months of assistance. Subsequent hardship benefits can be provided for 3 months at a time for a total of 12 months. (Originally, the initial hardship benefit period was only 3 months, and families needed to reapply for additional 3 months up to 12 months.)
Hardship benefits are available to families receiving RI Works cash assistance who become ineligible for benefits because they reach their 24 or 48 month time limit, as well as to applicant families who would otherwise be ineligible for assistance due to time limits. Hundreds of families were closed to RI Works cash assistance at the end of last June because of the 24 month time limit. Families that applied for and received hardship benefits starting in July will continue to receive benefits through the end of December (instead of through the end of September, as families were originally informed). Hardship benefits are based on the parent's inability to work due to disability of the parent, need to care for a disabled family member in the home, homelessness, domestic violence or high unemployment in the state.
Learn more about the RI Works program on our RI Works Guide page.
LIHEAP Update: New Income Eligibility Guidelines for LIHEAP
The new 2010/2011 Guidelines for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have been announced and are posted on the Guide's LIHEAP page. LIHEAP offers assistance to low-income Rhode Islanders with energy needs, including heating and cooling assistance, energy crisis intervention, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repair. The program runs from November 1st to March 31st. Staff working with families should encourage them to apply through their local CAP agency.
SNAP Update: SNAP Income Limits Remain the Same
The USDA has announced the income limits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will remain the same in the coming year (Oct 2010 - Sept 2011). Because the SNAP limits are based on the federal poverty guidelines, which were not increased in 2010, the SNAP limits will remain as they were for 2009/2010. These limits can be found on the Guide's SNAP page.
The following populations may be eligible for SNAP benefits: families with children, working individuals, immigrants, homeless individuals, students, single adults,seniors, and disabled individuals. Staff working with any of these groups should ask them if they are having trouble paying for food, and if so, encourage them to apply for SNAP.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: Free or Reduced Lunch and Breakfast
Now that children are all back in school, it is a good time to make sure that those eligible are receiving free or reduced lunch and breakfast. See the Guide's Free or Reduced Lunch or Breakfast page for eligibility information.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
RIte Care Update: Blue Cross/Blue Shield no longer participating in RIte Care program
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of RI (BCBSRI) is no longer participating in the RIte Care program. There are now only two plans participating: Neighborhood Health Plan of RI (NHPRI) and UnitedHealthcare of New England (UHCNE). As of August, families newly eligible for RIte Care will select one of these two plans.
There are 6,600 families (15,000 members) currently enrolled in BCBSRI who will need to be enrolled in either NHPRI or UHCNE. Department of Human Services (DHS) will assign families to one of the plans and then will give the family 90 days to change plans. Families have received a general notice about the pending change. The schedule below shows when families in different parts of the state will be individually notified of their enrollment in a new health plan and the opportunity to change.
There should not be much disruption for families since there is extensive overlap of physicians and other providers across all health plans. DHS is also making an effort to ensure that children and adults with chronic health care needs are assigned to a plan that includes their specialists.
Click here for a chart showing the schedule for transitioning BCBSRI members to NHPRI or UHCNE
Child Care Update: Updated resource to locate child care providers
The state plans to contract with Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) to provide child care provider referral services (Options for Working Families had the previous contract to provide these services).
Click here to access the revised Child Care page with contact information and links for RIAEYC.
NEW FEATURE FOR THE GUIDE: Head Start and Early Head Start page added
We have added a new page under our Guide's child care section, describing the income and eligibility guidelines, as well as application procedures, for the Head Start and Early Head Start childcare programs. Head Start and Early Head Start are federally-funded programs designed to improve the school readiness of children in low-income families. Children receive comprehensive services that provide for the education, health and emotional growth of the child.
Click here to access the new Head Start and Early Head Start Guide page.
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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