Social Security disability
Disability benefits in Rhode Island
Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Rhode Island: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.
You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.
Who decides your claim in Rhode Island?
Disability Determination Services (DDS)
This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability (SSDI) or SSI claim. Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income.
- Part of
- Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS)
Does Rhode Island add money to SSI?
State Supplemental Payment (SSP)
If you get SSI in Rhode Island because you are 65 or older, blind or disabled, you can also get the state supplement. The amount depends on where you live. People denied SSI only because their income is a little too high may get a state-only payment from DHS.
Paid by: Social Security and the state
| Who | State part | Total per month with SSI | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual living in own household (Category A) | $39.92 | $1,033.92 | January 1, 2026 |
| Couple living in own household (Category A) | $79.38 | $1,570.38 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual living in the household of another (Category B) | $51.92 | $714.59 | January 1, 2026 |
| Couple living in the household of another (Category B) | $97.30 | $1,091.30 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual in a certified assisted living / residential care setting (Category D, paid by Social Security) | $332 | $1,326 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual in a Medicaid (Title XIX) facility (Category E) | $45 | $75 | January 1, 2026 |
The total uses the federal SSI amount for that living arrangement. For people living on their own, the federal SSI part is $994 a month for one person or $1,491 for a couple in 2026. In another person's household or in a medical facility it is less.
- How to apply
- Apply for SSI with Social Security first. For people in their own home, in someone else's home, or in a Medicaid facility, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) pays the state supplement as a separate payment. For certified assisted living, Social Security pays it with your SSI. If Social Security denied you SSI for excess income, you can apply to DHS for a state-only payment with your denial letter.
- Contact
- Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS)
1-855-697-4347 (1-855-MY-RI-DHS)
https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/218-20-00-5
Medicaid in Rhode Island
If you get SSI in Rhode Island, you also get Medicaid. You do not need a separate Medicaid application. Your SSI award letter will say you will hear from the state about Medicaid.
- Program
- Rhode Island Medicaid
- Medicaid agency
- Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) / Department of Human Services (DHS)
https://eohhs.ri.gov/
1-855-697-4347 (DHS)
Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Sherlock Plan (Medicaid buy-in for working people with disabilities)
The Sherlock Plan lets people with disabilities who work buy into Medicaid. You must have a disability and a job. Your net countable income must be 250% of the federal poverty level or less, after SSI disregards and work expenses. Up to $10,000 in resources for one person ($20,000 for a couple) is not counted, plus money in retirement and some other approved accounts. You may have to pay a premium.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE40/40-8.7/40-8.7-6.htm
State disability and paid leave in Rhode Island
Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
- Run by
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT)
- Who it covers
- Rhode Island workers who cannot work because of an illness or injury that is not work-related. You must have earned enough in your base period under the state's wage tests. You must also be out of work due to sickness for at least 7 days in a row.
- Benefit
- Your weekly benefit is 4.62% of the wages you were paid in your highest-paid quarter of the base period. For disabilities that start on or after July 1, 2026, the most you can get is $1,150 a week, not counting dependents. For each dependent child (up to 5) you also get $20 or 7% of your benefit rate, whichever is more. You can get up to 30 times your weekly benefit in a benefit year (up to 30 weeks).
- How to file
- File a TDI claim with the RI Department of Labor and Training. Call center (401) 462-8420 (Mon, Tue, Thu 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; closed Wednesday), email [email protected], mail: RI Dept. of Labor and Training, Temporary Disability Insurance, PO Box 20100, Cranston, RI 02920.
- Phone
- (401) 462-8420
Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI)
- Run by
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT)
- Who it covers
- Rhode Island workers who need time off to bond with a new child (birth, adoption or foster care). They can also take time to care for a seriously ill child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, spouse, domestic partner or sibling, or to be a bone marrow or living organ donor. It is not for your own illness. For your own illness, see TDI.
- Benefit
- Paid at the same weekly rate as TDI. Since January 1, 2026, you can get up to 8 weeks of TCI in a benefit year. TCI and TDI together cannot be more than 30 times your weekly benefit in a benefit year.
- How to file
- Give your employer written notice at least 30 days before your leave when you can, then file a claim with the RI Department of Labor and Training. Call center (401) 462-8420 (Mon, Tue, Thu 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; closed Wednesday), email [email protected], mail: RI Dept. of Labor and Training, Temporary Disability Insurance, PO Box 20100, Cranston, RI 02920.
- Phone
- (401) 462-8420
Hearing offices and federal court in Rhode Island
1 hearing office serves Rhode Island. Hearing office locator (Social Security)
Providence, RI Hearing Office
Hearing office
- Address
- 4th Floor, 33 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02903
- Phone
- (877) 583-4082
- Fax
- (833) 563-0483
Federal district court
If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.
U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
Court help for people without a lawyer
Counties covered (5)
- Bristol
- Kent
- Newport
- Providence
- Washington
Free help in Rhode Island
Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)
Disability Rights Rhode Island
- Phone
- 401-831-3150 (toll-free 800-733-5332)
- Website
- https://drri.org/
Legal aid
- Rhode Island Legal Services · 401-274-2652 (toll-free 800-662-5034)
https://www.rils.org/
Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)
- Rhode Island College - WIPA project · 401-456-4733 (TTY 711 or 800-757-5555)
https://choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp
Serves: Rhode Island and Connecticut
Good to know in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island pays most of its state supplement itself, as a separate payment from DHS. In 2026 a person on SSI living in their own home gets up to $1,033.92 a month in federal and state money combined. (218-RICR-20-00-5)
- Since January 1, 2026, Temporary Caregiver Insurance pays up to 8 weeks a year and also covers caring for a sibling and being an organ or bone marrow donor. (R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-35)
- For benefit years starting on or after January 1, 2027, the TDI weekly rate rises to 5.38% of your highest quarter's wages (5.77% from January 1, 2028). (R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-5)
Recent changes
January 1, 2025: TCI up to 7 weeks. January 1, 2026: TCI up to 8 weeks; TCI adds sibling care and bone marrow/organ donation; TDI/TCI dependents' allowance rises to $20 or 7% (R.I. Gen. Laws §§28-41-35, 28-41-5, P.L. 2024 ch. 332-333 and P.L. 2025 ch. 235, 237, 380, 386). July 1, 2026: TDI maximum weekly benefit $1,150 (POMS DI 52135.220). January 1, 2026: new combined SSI/SSP payment levels; state amounts unchanged (218-RICR-20-00-5 §5.6).
More RobinClaim guides for Rhode Island → · All states
Sources
- 218-RICR-20-00-5 - Supplemental Security Income and State Supplemental Payment Rules and Regulations
- R.I. Gen. Laws §40-6-27 - Supplemental Security Income
- SSA POMS SI 01415.058 - Federally Administered Optional Supplementary Payment Programs for January 2026 (Rhode Island, section L)
- SSA POMS SI BOS01415.012 - Rhode Island Optional State Supplementary Payments
- SSA POMS SI 01715.010 - Medicaid and the SSI Program
- R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 40-8.7 (Sherlock Act) §40-8.7-6
- R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-5 - TDI weekly benefit rate
- R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-7 - Total amount of benefits
- R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-11 - Eligibility
- R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-35 - Temporary caregiver benefits
- 28 U.S.C. §120 (Rhode Island one judicial district)
- RI's ABLE
- Rhode Island Legal Services
- LSC - Our Grantees
- NDRN - Member Agencies
- SSA Ticket to Work - Find Help
- SSA POMS DI 52135.220 - Rhode Island Public Disability Benefits (TDI maximums)
- R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-5 (versions effective until and from January 1, 2026)
- R.I. Gen. Laws §28-41-35 (versions effective until and from January 1, 2026)
- SSA Choosework Find Help - WIPA results for RI
- Disability Determination Services (DDS)
- Social Security: office locator
- Social Security: hearing office locator
Last checked: November 2026