Public Benefits and Other Assistance
This page contains information on public benefits and assistance from local organizations. For information about health care in particular, click here.
Public Benefits
Use the following guide from the Economic Progress Institute to check if you qualify for public benefits.
You may also wish to get in touch with a case manager about whether you qualify for benefits.
Case management services are offered by Progreso Latino and the Refugee Dream Center. Case management can help you navigate welfare programs such as housing assistance, SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid, and RIte Care. Contact Progreso Latino by reaching out to Lissy De La Roca at ldelaroca@progresolatino.org or (401) 728-5920 ext. 31. Refugees can contact the Refugee Dream Center at (401) 300-0544.
Many people are not applying for SNAP, Rite Care, Medicaid and other public benefits because they've heard about changes to the public charge rules that the federal government proposed. Here are 3 important things to know about public charge and the proposed rules:
The rules have been stopped by federal courts and cannot affect anyone now.
If you have a green card, receiving public benefits cannot affect your eligibility for U.S. citizenship (even under the proposed rules).
If your children are citizens and receive public benefits, it will not affect your eligibility for a green card (even under the proposed rules).
You can learn more about the public charge rule by visiting the public charge page or consulting with an immigration attorney.
Assistance from Local Organizations
Aside from public benefit programs, some Rhode Island organizations offer their own assistance to immigrant families.
Food
Progreso Latino offers a food pantry for residents of Central Falls and nonresidents who have been referred by the RI Food Bank (dial 2-1-1 on any phone to reach the RI Food Bank hotline). Visitors to the Progreso Latino food pantry must first schedule an appointment by calling (401) 728-5920 ext. 301.
The food pantry is located at 626 Broad Street in Central Falls, behind the (former) Notre Dame Church. If there is severe winter weather, call the pantry first to check its status.
Housing
Crossroads Rhode Island helps people and families overcome or avoid homelessness. If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you can contact Crossroads at cesteam@crossroadsri.org or (401) 277-4316.
Clothing
Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island provides clothing, including professional and winter clothing, through its Clothing Collaborative. Hours and locations of the Clothing Collaborative are listed below:
Providence
Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island
645 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI 02907
Contact at (401) 784-8663 or email ccdonation@diiri.org
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thursday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
East Providence
Career Closet (East Bay Community Action Program)
St. Brendan's School
55 Turner Ave. (Entrance on Dorr Street on back side of building), East Providence, RI 02915
Contact at (401) 228-6605 or e-mail coordinator Kim Wetherald at kwetherald@ebcap.org
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Warwick
Working Wardrobe (West Bay Community Action Program)
210 Buttonwoods Ave., Warwick, RI 02886
Contact at (401) 737-6334 or e-mail coordinator Tanisha Simpson at tsimpson@westbaycap.org
Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Westerly
Attire for Hire (WARM Center)
56 Spruce St., Westerly, RI 02891
Contact at (401) 596-9276 or e-mail coordinator Jennifer Bucchino at jbucchino@warmshelter.org
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Woonsocket
Success Wear (Connecting for Children and Families)
Heritage Place
727 Front St., Suite 112, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Contact at (401) 766-3384 x205 or e-mail coordinator Katanga Norville / director: Zoya Tseytlin at ztseytlin@ccfcenter.org
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.