H 7394Benefit Programs

Human Services - The Rhode Island Works Program

Families eligible for Rhode Island Works cash assistance will now be automatically enrolled in SNAP food benefits if qualified.

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Introduced Jan 28, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island Works Program to streamline access to food assistance. It mandates that any family or assistance unit found eligible for state cash assistance must also be automatically enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provided they meet the specific qualifications for SNAP. This change aims to reduce administrative hurdles by linking the application process for cash benefits directly to food benefits, ensuring that eligible low-income residents receive the nutritional support available to them without needing to navigate a separate enrollment process.

For younger readers

This law is about helping families who don't have enough money. When the government decides a family needs extra money to pay for things (called cash assistance), this law says the government must also sign that family up for a program that gives them money specifically for food (called SNAP). This means families won't have to fill out extra forms just to get help buying groceries if the government already knows they need help. It makes getting help for food easier for people who are already getting help with money.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Low-income familiesRhode Island Works recipientsDepartment of Human Services staffSNAP recipientsChildren in poverty

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Strengthens the social safety net by ensuring that the most vulnerable families automatically receive food assistance without facing additional bureaucratic hurdles or paperwork.
Reduces the risk of food insecurity among low-income populations by guaranteeing that those already identified as needy are connected to federal nutrition programs.
Promotes systemic efficiency and fairness by treating social welfare needs holistically, acknowledging that families requiring cash assistance almost certainly require nutritional support.
Does not increase the actual dollar amount of cash assistance or SNAP benefits, leaving families potentially still struggling with the rising cost of living.
Relies on the existing eligibility frameworks of the Rhode Island Works Program, which some advocates may find too restrictive or punitive regarding work requirements.
Fails to address the needs of those who might be slightly above the income threshold for cash assistance but still suffer from food insecurity.

For Conservatives

Streamlines government administration by combining enrollment processes, potentially reducing the man-hours and tax dollars required to process separate applications.
Ensures that federal SNAP funds are utilized for those already vetted and approved for state assistance, maximizing the efficiency of available resources.
Maintains existing strict eligibility criteria and work requirements for cash assistance, ensuring benefits are only provided to those who qualify under current law.
Expands the welfare state by automatically enrolling individuals in government programs without requiring them to take personal initiative to apply for each specific benefit.
Likely increases the total number of people receiving government handouts, which could be viewed as discouraging self-reliance.
Removes a layer of friction in the benefit process that serves as a filter to ensure only those who actively seek out assistance receive it.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 4 additions

SECTION 1. Section 40-5.2-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-5.2 entitled "The Rhode Island Works Program" is hereby amended to read as follows: 40-5.2-11. Cash assistance.

(a) A family or assistance unit found by the department to meet the eligibility criteria set forth in this chapter shall be eligible to receive cash assistance as of the date a signed, written application, signed under a penalty of perjury, is received by the department.

(b) The family members or assistance unit shall be eligible for cash assistance for so long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in accordance with this chapter. Parents and adult non-parent caretaker relatives receiving cash assistance shall be eligible so long as they meet the terms and conditions of the work requirements of § 40-5.2-12. An adult caretaker relative shall be eligible for assistance as a member of the assistance unit so long as he or she meets all the eligibility requirements of this chapter.

(c) The monthly amount of cash assistance shall be equal to the payment standard for the family minus the countable income of the family in that month. The department is authorized to reduce the amount of assistance in the month of application to reflect the number of the days between the first day of the month and the effective date of the application.

(d) A decision on the application for assistance shall be made or rejected by the department no later than thirty (30) days following the date submitted and shall be effective as of the date of application.

(e) The payment standard is equal to the sum of the following: five hundred ten dollars ($510) (four hundred forty-five dollars ($445) for a family residing in subsidized housing) for the first person; one hundred ninety-one dollars ($191) for the second person; one hundred sixty-four dollars ($164) for the third person; and one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) for each additional person.

(f) A family or assistance unit eligible for cash assistance pursuant to the provisions of this section shall if otherwise qualified, be enrolled for assistance in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) pursuant to the provisions of chapter 6 of title 40.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.