SNAP (Food) Assistance
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”), formerly called food stamps, is the nation’s largest program for fighting domestic hunger.
Federally funded and state administered through the RI Department of Human Service, this program provides low-income individuals and families with resources to purchase food.
Benefits are placed on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card once a month. Your EBT card is similar to a debit card used to pay for food at participating locations.
Eligibility & How to Apply
Eligibility and benefit amounts are based on:
- Income
- Expenses
- Resources
- Number of people living in the household
SNAP has two income levels
- Households without an older adult (someone age 60 or older) or someone with a disability may qualify if their income is less than 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Households with an older adult or someone with a disability may qualify if their income is less than 200 percent of the FPL.
To learn more about SNAP income guidelines, visit the State of Rhode Island Department of Human Resources by clicking the button below.
SNAP update
OCTOBER 1st, 2024
What is the SNAP COLA?
At the beginning of every federal fiscal year, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) adjusts maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, deductions and income eligibility standards. These adjustments are known as the “SNAP Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).” The SNAP COLA is based on changes in the cost of living and takes effect on October 1st of each year. The following elements of the COLA will change effective October 1, 2024.
Income Eligibility Standard Changes
The federal poverty level increased, resulting in an increase to the income eligibility standards. Below is a comparison of last year’s and this year’s gross income limits. SNAP has two income levels: one for households without an older adult (someone age 60 or older) or someone with a disability (185%), and one for households with an older adult or someone with a disability (200%).
To learn more about what you can buy with SNAP, visit the State of Rhode Island Department of Human Resources by clicking the button below.
Due to an increase in the cost of living (COLA), RI has updated the income guidelines for SNAP: a program that provides eligible families and individuals with money each month to purchase food from participating RI grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets and participating online retailers. Program eligibility is based on income, monthly expenses, and resources in some cases. DHS will deduct certain expenses from your gross income to determine the net income for eligibility. Use the table below to see if you might be eligible for SNAP. *Eligibility can only be determined by DHS staff.
To learn more about what you can buy with SNAP, visit the State of Rhode Island Department of Human Resources by clicking the button below.
Apply for SNAP today
Ready to apply/renew for SNAP?
Review what documents you may need and apply by clicking the buttons below.
Newport Food Resources
Want to learn about what Food Resources are offered in the Newport area?
Download the Newport Food Resources PDF below.
Questions?
If your family is looking for someone as a guide to either applying for, renewing, or navigating challenges in the system related to benefits, especially SNAP (food support), CCAP or Rite Care (Childcare), please contact our Family Services Coordinator, Charlene Traynum.
She is here to support YOU with any questions you may have about SNAP and to help you learn more about how to get involved with Club activities and services.
Please contact Charlene Traynum at ctraynum@bgcnewport.org or by phone at 401-847-6927, Ext. 156.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
Location:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or
Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
Email:
fnscivilrightscomplaints@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.