Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Rhode Island. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Food
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for seniors in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's Department of Human Services runs SNAP, which puts money for groceries on an EBT card each month.
If everyone in your home is 60 or older or disabled and no one works, approval lasts 36 months and you usually won't need a renewal interview. People 60 and older may also be able to use SNAP at restaurants that have a contract with DHS.
How to apply in Rhode Island
- By phone
- 1-855-697-4347
- In person
- Apply in person, or have someone you choose apply for you, at a DHS regional office.
- By mail
- You can also apply by mail or by fax.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Rhode Island
| Savings limit, household with someone 60+ or disabled, gross income at or under 200% of poverty | No limit |
|---|---|
| Savings limit if gross income is over 200% of poverty (rule effective Oct. 25, 2026) | $4,750 |
| Gross income limit for the no-savings-test rule (broad-based categorical eligibility), household with someone 60+ or disabled | 200% of the poverty level (185% for other households) |
Source: Rhode Island Department of State (rule of the Department of Human Services) (source 1)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| How long approval lasts, households where everyone is 60+ or disabled and no one works (ESAP) | 36 months |
|---|
Source: Rhode Island Department of State (rule of the Department of Human Services) (source 1)
How Rhode Island is different
Where Rhode Island's rules differ from the federal rules for SNAP for seniors.
- Households where everyone is 60 or older or disabled and no one has earned income (Elderly Simplified Application Project) are approved for 36 months
- Those households don't need a renewal interview unless certain changes come up
- Restaurant Meals Program: people 60 and older, people getting disability benefits, and their spouses can use SNAP at restaurants that contract with DHS to sell low-cost meals
Source: Rhode Island Department of State (rule of the Department of Human Services) (source 1)
Good to know
- If someone 60 or older or disabled has medical costs over $35 a month, Rhode Island gives a set $183 medical deduction. If costs are over $218 a month, you can prove your actual costs instead.
- Rhode Island's rule now applies the three-month time limit to adults 18 through 64 who are able to work and have no child in the household, unless they work, train or are exempt.
Source: Rhode Island Department of State (rule of the Department of Human Services) (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Rhode Island
Office of Healthy Aging (OHA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Rhode Island
SNAP food benefits in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Rhode Island Department of State (rule of the Department of Human Services), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (218-RICR-20-00-1), amendment effective Oct. 25, 2026 (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- HealthSource RI and Rhode Island Department of Human Services, HealthyRhode: Apply for Health and Human Service Programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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