The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that the state budget passed by the General Assembly in 2025 will allocate an additional 20% to the Rhode Island Works program.
This will result in an increase in benefits for about 8,700 families, DHS officials said. The additional funding is expected to help families with some of the highest demonstrated need in the state, according to officials.
“This additional investment will help individuals better meet the day-to-day challenges they are facing in their lives. It will also encourage more investment in our local economy,” said Governor McKee.
The increase in benefits will also result in an additional $112.50 for working families enrolled in the program. This is because less of their employment income is being counted toward their eligibility for benefits. The earned income disregard is calculated based on personal circumstances such as household size and income earned from employment.
“All children need and deserve a decent chance at a healthy, successful life, and that simply cannot happen if their family is trapped in the cycle of deep poverty. I’m happy to celebrate the steps in the right direction we have taken this year and in the last few years to better support RI Works, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly and across state government to further strengthen this vital program so it can succeed at ending childhood poverty in Rhode Island,” said Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston).
Families enrolled in the RI Works program should receive the increased benefit amount starting this week. However, the total amount of benefits a family receives may vary based on personal circumstances such as household size and income earned from employment.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
