The cost of living in the state of Rhode Island is higher than in many other states. This makes it more difficult for many people to ensure all their basic need will be being met. Those who experience financial difficulty may need to turn to grant programs to help make ends meet. There are programs that provide grants for disabled in Rhode Island that can be used to help buy food, pay rent, and also pay for utility bills.
Grants are helpful because they will give you the funds you need to keep going, but they also never have to be paid back. They are not loans, so you can consider them gifts if you receive any. Most programs that offer grants for disabled in Rhode Island are federally or state funded, and they do require that you have a low income and be a legal citizen, or a legal non-citizen.
Grants for Disabled in Rhode Island
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – If you need help paying your rent or finding affordable housing you may be able to get help through HUD. This federally-funded program offers a variety of grants for disabled in Rhode Island, helping to meet housing needs. HUD will help with paying rent, avoiding foreclosure, and locating affordable housing. They also offer a public housing program called Section 8, which provides people with a free government-owned unit to live in. They also offer weatherization services, which will help reduce your monthly utility bills. HUD also offers crisis assistance and they will help to pay for essential home repairs, such as repairing or replacing your heating and cooling system.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – If you need help obtaining food you may qualify for a monthly grant through SNAP, which is formerly known as food stamps. The program will provide those who qualify with a monthly grant that is put on a debit card. The card can then be used to pay for groceries at the store. There is no limit to how long you can receive a SNAP grant. The amount you receive depends on how many people are in your household. Eligibility is also based on income, expenses and resources. You can use the grant to purchase most food at the store, but it cannot be used on things like alcohol, vitamins, pet food, or prepared foods (such as deli-made to order sandwiches).
Rhode Island Works – This program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in many other states. To qualify for the cash grants they provide you have to have at least one minor child you are caring for. This program is open to grandparents and guardians who are caring for children. The funds can be used to buy food, pay rent, for transportation, and a variety of other basic living costs.
General Public Assistance – This program will provide grants for disabled in Rhode Island that can be used to cover basic living needs. The program offers SSI applicants $200 per month to bridge the gap between applying for SSI and when you start receiving it. They also offer a hardship grant program, which offers grants for helping people with financial difficulty on a case-by-case basis.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program offers grants for disabled in Rhode Island that are used to pay for utility bills. If you need help paying for your utility bill or you have received a disconnect notice you can apply to receive a grant that will pay for it. If approved, the grant will be paid directly to your utility provider and your account will be credited.