RI Works 20 Percent Benefit Increase July 2024

Rhode Island raised RI Works cash assistance payments by 20% effective July 1, 2024 — the largest single increase in the program's history. DHS issued temporary catch-up payments over the summer, and the permanent higher monthly benefit began in September 2024. If you are a grandparent or relative raising a child on a child-only grant, the increase was applied automatically. Here is what changed and what it means in practice.

New Payment Amounts

The 20% increase raised the standard monthly grant at every household size. The current rates, which remain in effect for 2026:

• 1 child: $510 per month (was $425)
• 2 children: $701 per month (was $584)
• 3 children: $865 per month (was $721)
• 4 children: $990 per month (was $825)

Subsidized housing rates also increased proportionally. For one child in public or subsidized housing, the grant is $445 per month.

If you were already receiving benefits in June 2024, the catch-up and higher monthly payment were applied automatically — no new application or recertification was required.

Earned Income Disregard Expansion

For relative caregivers who include themselves in the assistance unit (adult-included cases), the earned income disregard rose from $300 to $525 per month. This means the first $525 of monthly earnings from employment is not counted against the benefit.

This change does not affect child-only cases, because the caregiver's income is already excluded entirely. But if you are a working aunt or older sibling who included yourself in the grant, the higher disregard means more of your paycheck is protected.

End of Full Family Sanctions

Rhode Island also eliminated full family sanctions as of July 2024. Previously, a sanction for noncompliance with work requirements or child support cooperation could reduce the entire family's benefit to zero. Now, cases remain open under sanction status and children continue to receive support throughout the sanction period.

For child-only cases, this change has less direct impact — child-only caregivers are already exempt from work requirements. But it matters if you are cooperating with child support enforcement and a procedural issue causes a sanction. The child's benefit is no longer zeroed out.

What This Means Going Forward

The July 2024 increases are built into the current payment schedule. There is no sunset date or pending reversal. DHS projections show child-only kinship cases growing to roughly 34% of the total RI Works caseload by FY 2026, reflecting the rising number of relative-headed households in Rhode Island.

If you have not yet applied for RI Works, the current payment table shows what the child would receive. The Rhode Island financial help guide covers the full application process, including how the child-only grant interacts with SNAP, Medicaid, and childcare assistance.

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