§ 40-5.2-11. Cash assistance.
(a) A family or assistance unit found by the department to meet the eligibility criteria set forth in this chapter shall be eligible to receive cash assistance as of the date a signed, written application, signed under a penalty of perjury, is received by the department.
(b) The family members or assistance unit shall be eligible for cash assistance for so long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in accordance with this chapter. Parents and adult non-parent caretaker relatives receiving cash assistance shall be eligible so long as they meet the terms and conditions of the work requirements of § 40-5.2-12. An adult caretaker relative shall be eligible for assistance as a member of the assistance unit so long as he or she meets all the eligibility requirements of this chapter.
(c) The monthly amount of cash assistance shall be equal to the payment standard for the family minus the countable income of the family in that month. The department is authorized to reduce the amount of assistance in the month of application to reflect the number of the days between the first day of the month and the effective date of the application.
(d) A decision on the application for assistance shall be made or rejected by the department no later than thirty (30) days following the date submitted and shall be effective as of the date of application.
(e) The payment standard is equal to the sum of the following: four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425) (three hundred sixty dollars ($360) for a family residing in subsidized housing) for the first person; one hundred fifty-nine dollars ($159) for the second person; one hundred thirty-seven dollars ($137) for the third person; and one hundred four dollars ($104) for each additional person.
History of Section.P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 16, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 13, § 6, effective July 6, 2021.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 40-5.2 - The Rhode Island Works Program
Section 40-5.2-1. - Short title.
Section 40-5.2-2. - The Rhode Island works program — Statement of purpose.
Section 40-5.2-3. - Legislative intent.
Section 40-5.2-5. - Rhode Island works — Promotion of work.
Section 40-5.2-7. - Work participation rates.
Section 40-5.2-8. - Definitions.
Section 40-5.2-9. - The Rhode Island works program — General eligibility requirements.
Section 40-5.2-10. - Necessary requirements and conditions.
Section 40-5.2-11. - Cash assistance.
Section 40-5.2-12. - Work requirements for receipt of cash assistance.
Section 40-5.2-13. - Income deeming.
Section 40-5.2-14. - Reporting of income and resources by participants.
Section 40-5.2-15. - Reporting absence.
Section 40-5.2-16. - Minimum payment.
Section 40-5.2-17. - Assistance not assignable; exemption from process.
Section 40-5.2-18. - Up-front cash program.
Section 40-5.2-19. - Appropriate child care necessary for work requirement.
Section 40-5.2-20. - Childcare assistance — Families or assistance units eligible.
Section 40-5.2-21. - Eligibility for medical benefits.
Section 40-5.2-22. - Emergency expenses.
Section 40-5.2-23. - Post-employment incentive bonus.
Section 40-5.2-24. - Overpayment and underpayment of benefits.
Section 40-5.2-25. - Hearings.
Section 40-5.2-26. - Records as to assistance.
Section 40-5.2-27. - Department of human services.
Section 40-5.2-28. - Rules and regulations.
Section 40-5.2-29. - Noncustodial parents — Employment obligations.
Section 40-5.2-30. - Fraudulently obtaining assistance.
Section 40-5.2-31. - Authorization to pay assistance.
Section 40-5.2-32. - Cashing of assistance checks.
Section 40-5.2-33. - Child clothing allowance.
Section 40-5.2-34. - Screening for domestic violence — Waiver of program requirements.
Section 40-5.2-35. - Child support pass-through.
Section 40-5.2-36. - Appropriation of funds.
Section 40-5.2-37. - Severability.
Section 40-5.2-38. - Application and effect of this chapter on applicants and recipients.
Section 40-5.2-39. - References to the family independence program.