Utility Assistance

The services we offer help make sure everyone can reach their full potential. This may mean solving immediate challenges, like access to food or housing. Or, it may mean getting and staying healthy for life. There’s medical and dental care, behavioral health care, human services and community programs. We help children, youth, families, adults and elders. EBCAP has over 20 services. Our programs focus to improve health, social, and educational outcomes through the strengthening of parent-child relationships, evidence-based curriculum, and skill development.

Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Early Childhood Education Programs link

Parents as Teachers link

Healthy Families America link

The services provided by EBCAP include:

Head Start and Early Head Start services; Even Start;

family health and dental services;

family development case management services including social service information and referral and basic human needs;

youth programs;

the East Bay Coalition for the Homeless; Heating and Energy Services; the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Feeding and Nutrition Program (WIC); the Newport Skills Alliance; youth services; and senior services including case management, senior employment, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparents and the Ocean State Senior Dining Program (meals in a social setting).

East Bay Community Action Program provides a wide array of health and human services to the residents of RI's east bay: East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport and Jamestown.
A number of satellite locations for WIC:
Tiverton -401-625-1364
Newport 401-619-5970
Bristol -401-253-7577

RI Department of Human Services oversees a number of programs to help individual and families in Rhode Island. A complete comprehensive list is on their website.

Childcare

Includes Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and Head Start link

Supplemental Nutrition Program SNAP

Medicaid and Medicare Programs

Includes Katie Beckett Katie Beckett is an eligibility category in Medicaid that allows certain children under age 19 who have long-term disabilities or complex medical needs to become eligible for Medicaid coverage.

The Sherlock Plan

Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities Program is a type of Medicaid eligibility for working adults with disabilities.

Medicare Premium Program

SSI State Supplemental Payment

Long Term Services and Supports

Includes Medicaid Long Term Care Supported Services (LTSS) and Enhanced Assisted Living Program for elderly and adults with disabilities.

RI Works Program

RI Works is a financial and employment assistance program for parents and families with little to no income who have children high school age or younger.

General Public Assistance Programs

Includes Bridge Fund, Hardship Program and Funeral/Burial Assistance 

Refugee Assistance Programs

Energy Assistance Programs

DHS' programs and services, including those offered by our four divisions, collectively serve more than 300,000 families, adults, children, older Rhode Islanders, individuals with disabilities and veterans each year. Each have their own eligibility requirements and our staff are happy to assist those who need us through the application process and any other needs. 

Office locations

The Providence Elmwood Avenue office has closed and a drop box is available at that office until Nov 30, 2021.

Drop box and forms are available at:

Office of Rehabilitation Services

40 Fountain Street 

Providence , RI 02903

Programs and Services Link

Basic Needs

• Food Pantry
• Senior Meal Delivery
• Good Neighbor Energy Fund
• Project Undercover
• Rental/ Mortgage Assistance
• Appliance Management Program
• Rhode Island Home Energy Assistance Program (RIHEAP)

Training and Workforce Development

• RI Works
• Parent Leadership Training Initiative (PLTI)
• Summer Youth Employment Program

CAPP is a leading provider of social services in Providence. The organization operates, promotes and supports the development of human service programs aimed at improving the lives of low-to-moderate income individuals and families living in Providence. CAPP works to minimize poverty while empowering members of the community to be self-sufficient.

Provides website with information on the Lifeline Assistance program and the wireless companies that participate in the program.

Access Wireless provides free cell phone plans for low income families. Use services locator on website.

• Discounted Telephone Service

A federal Lifeline Assistance program provided by Virgin Mobile. Lifeline is a government benefit program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund.

COVID-19 Update: The unemployed may use the Unemployment Benefit Letter as proof of eligibility until 11/30/20.

• Discounted Telephone Service

A US government-supported, LifeLine cell phone program for income-eligible households provided by TracFone Wireless, Inc. Only one Lifeline service may be obtained per household.

COVID-19 Update: Individuals unemployed because of COVID-19 may be eligible for LifeLine service utilizing their Unemployment Benefits statement as proof of eligibility.

• Discounted Telephone Service

The federal Lifeline Program (formerly known as UTAP) assists families by providing a discount to either voice or broadband internet connectivity services, but not both. Eligibility for either discounted phone or internet service is determined by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). For eligible cell phone or internet service, contact the local phone or internet company.

Find a company: Locator for companies participating in the lifeline program.

• Discounted Telephone Service
• Discounted Internet Service

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.