How to Appeal Denied Benefits in Rhode Island

DHS denied your grandchild's benefits, reduced the cash grant, or terminated SNAP without explanation. You have the right to challenge that decision through a formal fair hearing. Whether benefits continue while the appeal is pending depends on the program and the timing in your notice.

The Fair Hearing Process

When DHS takes an adverse action on RI Works, SNAP, CCAP, or Medicaid, the agency must send you a written notice explaining what happened and why. That notice triggers your right to request a fair hearing — a formal proceeding before an administrative hearing officer through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Hearing Office.

The hearing is your chance to present your side, submit documents, and explain why the agency's decision was wrong. You can represent yourself, bring a friend or family member for support, or have an attorney or authorized representative speak on your behalf. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services Hearing Office conducts these administrative hearings.

Filing Deadlines

The deadline to file a hearing request varies by program. For SNAP, the deadline is 90 days from the notice mail date. For RI Works and CCAP, it is 30 days from the notice mail date. For Medicaid, it is 30 days after the notice date, with the period starting five days after the notice is mailed. Follow the deadline in the notice DHS sent you.

Aid pending: For SNAP and RI Works, request continued benefits within 10 days of the notice mailing date. For Medicaid, the 10-day aid-pending period begins five days after the notice date. CCAP benefits may be reduced while the hearing is pending. After the aid-pending deadline, you can still file a timely hearing request, but continued benefits may no longer be available.

Repayment risk: If you receive continued benefits during the appeal and the hearing officer upholds the agency's decision, the household may be required to repay the amount of benefits received between the filing date and the final decision.

How to File

Submit Form OHHS-121 (the fair hearing request form) online through HealthyRhode, drop it off at a local DHS office, or mail it to ATTN: Appeals, P.O. Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920-8787. Call DHS at 1-855-697-4347 with questions about filing.

On the form, describe the action DHS took and why you believe it was wrong. Be specific — reference the notice you received, the program affected, and the date of the action.

Informal Conference vs. Formal Hearing

DHS may offer an informal conference before the formal hearing. This is an opportunity to resolve the dispute without a full proceeding. Requesting an informal conference does not pause or extend your hearing deadline — make sure the formal hearing request is filed on time regardless.

Medicaid Managed Care Denials

If the child's RIte Care managed care plan (Neighborhood Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, or Tufts Health Plan) denies a medical service, you must first complete the plan's internal grievance and appeal process. If the plan upholds the denial, you can then request an EOHHS State Fair Hearing or an independent external medical review.

DCYF KGAP Disputes

Denials or reductions of Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program subsidies are DCYF decisions and can be appealed through the department's formal hearing process. DCYF says to file an appeal with the EOHHS Appeals Office within 30 days of receiving the decision: Virks Building, 3 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920.

Judicial Review

If the administrative hearing decision goes against you, you can appeal to the Rhode Island Superior Court in Providence County — or the county where the cause of action arose — within 30 days after the agency mails notice of its final decision.

Get Help

Rhode Island Legal Services (401-274-2652 or 1-800-662-5034) provides free representation for low-income families in benefit denial cases. The Rhode Island financial help guide includes a timeline tracker for deadlines, a pre-hearing preparation checklist, and instructions for completing Form OHHS-121.

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