Income Security

The RI and federal tax deadlines are April 15, 2026.

Last-reviewed: March 9, 2026

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Latest News

  • RI and federal taxes are due April 15, 2026.
  • A federal court has blocked ICE from accessing confidential taxpayer information from the IRS.
  • SSA and SSI recipients received an increase in their benefits by 2.8% as part of a Cost of Living Adjustment.
  • A new salary supplement program opened to early childcare workers. ChildCare Wage$ supplement are financial awards given to eligible workers who provide direct care to children under the age of 5.
  • The minimum wage increased on January 1, 2026 to $16/hour. In 2027, the minimum wage will increase to $17/hour.
  • Starting in 2027, storefront payday lenders that permit lenders to charge up to 260% APR will no longer be exempt from the same rules other lenders follow. 

RI benefits

  • Families can apply for cash assistance, health insurance and SNAP on-line, in person, or by mail.
  • RI General Public Assistance is available to eligible adults with limited income and a medical condition that keeps them from working while waiting for an SSI determination.

Federal disability benefits

  • The SSA has this schedule of social security payments for the calendar years of 2025 and 2026.
  • People who are disabled and cannot work can apply for SSI or SSDI. If people have help assembling the documentation of their disability (medical records, assessments from health care providers, evidence of failed work attempts, etc.) they are more likely to be granted benefits without having to appeal.
  • If someone is denied benefits but they think they should be eligible, they should follow the directions on the notice of denial. It is important that they don’t miss the appeal deadline. They can also seek legal assistance, but they might not find an attorney before the deadline to appeal, so it is important to file the appeal to preserve their rights. Rhode Island Legal Services provides some representation, and the Rhode Island Bar Association provides referrals to private attorneys (for SSI/SSDI cases).
  • High demand for services has prompted long in-person wait times. The SSA recommends using online services as much as possible or to minimize lobby-based services on days with the highest volume such as the first of the month, Mondays, and Fridays.
    • Use this contact guide to apply for benefits, check the status of claims, and find other ways to contact the SSA.
  • SOAR offers SSI/SSDI disability application help for eligible adults and children who are at risk for homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. 

Medical debt relief

  • The RI General Treasurer and the non-profit Undue Medical Debt are working together to purchase medical debt for debt deemed “medically necessary.” Eligible Rhode Islanders do not have to apply.

Taxes

  • The 2025 Child Tax Credit increased to $2200 per child but the child must have at least 1 parent with a social security number.
  • Certain deductions are no longer available to ITIN filers.
  • Tax filings can come with tax refunds that can be used to pay debts. Free tax preparation assistance is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Search for locations on the IRS website.

Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams

Resource Guide

RI – Resources Available to People Regardless of Immigration Status

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Training Deck

Unlocking Access in RI: Food & Income Security

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There are many ways care teams can support people with income security-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.

Unlocking Access Hub
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What You Can Do When There’s Nothing to Do

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If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!

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Spotlight on equity

  • Income maximization strategies and food security resources often require care teams to direct people to the Department of Human Services (DHS) in order to access concrete supports such as SNAP or RI Works (cash assistance). State agencies, like DHS, are prohibited from discriminating against its applicants or clients based on their race or color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, or political beliefs.
  • If a person believes they have been discriminated against and they share that with your care team, direct that individual to the Rhode Island DHS Civil Rights Office.
  • The Civil Rights office has the authority to investigate discrimination claims arising out of interactions with DHS offices, programs, and contractors.

Key Resource

Advocacy Corner

Individual Advocacy

Care teams regularly support people accessing public benefits and other resources to help them maximize their income and ensure that people know what is available to help people in particular circumstances.

Policy Advocacy

Policy advocacy around income security includes advocating for public benefits to support Rhode Islanders by increasing benefit amounts, clothing allowances or ensuring that programs run better by replacing cards with magnetic strips with more secure chips. State advocacy could also extend earned income tax credits, and more. Organizations like the Economic Progress Institute and Rhode Island Kids COUNT work on policy issues and campaigns to improve policy that can lead to better income security for Rhode Islanders.

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