Section 218-RICR-20-00-3.1 - IntroductionA. R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 40-6, entitled "Public Assistance Act," establishes the legal basis for a General Public Assistance Program. In that the State has resources: 1. The General Public Assistance (GPA) cash programs are available for adults age eighteen (18) years of age and older who have an illness or medical condition that keeps them from working.2. GPA shall not be provided to any individual who has been determined eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or who is eligible or who would be eligible for the Rhode Island Works (RIW) program.3. GPA eligibility shall not exist for certain persons who are in the care of, confined by, or in the custody of another State Agency such as the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) or the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities amp; Hospitals (BHDDH).B. Types of GPA Assistance1. Interim cash assistance, also known as GPA Bridge, may be provided to individuals who have been approved for Title XIX Medicaid and are pursuing a claim for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).2. GPA Hardship Emergency, may be provided to individuals who have a disability, expected to last thirty (30) days or more which prevents them from working, and have applied for Title XIX Medicaid. This program is subject to funding made available to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) for this purpose.3. Supplemental payments for funeral and burial costs may be provided through vendor payments as determined by Departmental Regulations.218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-3.1
Amended effective 9/28/2021
Amended effective 3/11/2023