§ 40-6-1. Short title — “Public assistance” and “department” defined. (a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Public Assistance Act.” (b) Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth herein, unless the context in which the terms are used clearly indicates to the […]
§ 40-6-10. Effect of assistance on receipt of workers’ compensation benefits. (a) No individual shall be entitled to receive assistance provided under this chapter or chapter 5.1 of this title and/or medical assistance under chapter 8 of this title for any period beginning on or after July 1, 1982, with respect to which benefits are […]
§ 40-6-11. Report of income by recipients. If at any time during the continuance of public assistance pursuant to this chapter and/or chapter 8 of this title, the recipient thereof becomes possessed of income or resources in excess of the amount previously reported by him or her, it shall be his or her duty, and […]
§ 40-6-12. Records as to assistance. (a) All records pertaining to the administration of public assistance pursuant to this chapter and chapter 8 of this title are hereby declared to constitute confidential matter. It shall be unlawful for any person to make use of, or cause to be used, any information contained in records for […]
§ 40-6-12.1. Warrants — Release of information. (a) The department of human services shall provide to the statewide warrant squad the current address of any individual if all of the following conditions are met: (1) There is an outstanding arrest warrant or body attachment issued by a state court in Rhode Island for the individual; […]
§ 40-6-13. Appeals — Hearings. (a) Any applicant or recipient aggrieved because of a decision by the department or delay in making a decision shall be entitled to an appeal and shall be afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing. Hearings with respect to public assistance shall be conducted by the department. (b) With […]
§ 40-6-14. Assistance not assignable — Exemption from process. Public assistance provided under this chapter shall not be transferable or assignable, at law or in equity, and none of the money paid or payable under this chapter shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any […]
§ 40-6-15. Fraudulently obtaining assistance. Any person who by any fraudulent device obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain, public assistance, pursuant to this chapter, to which he or she is not entitled, or who willfully fails to report income or resources as provided in this chapter, shall be […]
§ 40-6-16. Fraudulent use of food stamps. (a) Any person who by any fraudulent device obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain, food stamps issued pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, 7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq., shall be guilty of larceny, and upon conviction […]
§ 40-6-17. Receipt and use of federal funds. The state shall have authority to receive and expend through the department any funds that may become available from the federal government for public assistance purposes. The department, with the approval of the governor, shall have authority to meet federal requirements with respect to the administration of […]
§ 40-6-18. Agreements with other states. The department shall have the authority to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states and territories of the United States providing for the payment of assistance to former residents of this state residing in other states. History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
§ 40-6-19. Complainant in actions to invoke penalties. The director of the department, or any person designated by him or her, may be the party complainant to any complaint and warrant brought to invoke the penalties provided for in this chapter, and the party complainant shall be exempt from giving surety for costs in any […]
§ 40-6-2. Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide public assistance to residents of the state who are in need and who meet the eligibility requirements of the various programs that constitute public assistance. It shall be the responsibility of the department to provide assistance to residents of Rhode Island found by […]
§ 40-6-20. Prosecution of criminal actions. All criminal actions for any violation of this chapter, or any rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter pertaining to the department, shall be prosecuted by the attorney general or by any qualified member of the Rhode Island bar who shall be designated by the director and approved by […]
§ 40-6-21. Child support — Income tax refund offset. The department is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the federal and state programs for offset and collection of past-due child and spousal support from income tax refunds, as authorized by Sections 6305(b) and 6402(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. […]
§ 40-6-21.1. Voluntary acknowledgement of paternity — Hospital-based program. (a) The department of human services is authorized and directed to establish, in accordance with the requirements of Title IV-D, § 466(a)(5) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(5), a hospital-based program for the voluntary acknowledgement of paternity during the period immediately preceding or […]
§ 40-6-21.2. Child medical support garnishment — State income tax offset. (a) The department of human services may garnish the wages, salary, or other income of, and withhold amounts from state income tax refunds due to, any person who: (1) Is required by court or administrative order to provide coverage of the cost of health […]
§ 40-6-22. Disclosure of information — Penalty. (a) For purposes of this section, a “financial institution” means a bank, savings bank, national bank, trust company, building and loan association, loan and investment company, credit union, safe deposit company, any person or corporation registered to sell securities under the provisions of chapter 11 of title 7, […]
§ 40-6-23. Release of wage and earnings information. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, every employer or payor of earnings shall make available to the department, upon written request by the department, any wage or earnings information in its possession, regarding an employee, former employee, or person providing goods or services who is a […]
§ 40-6-24. Recipient not deemed pauper. No person receiving assistance under this chapter shall be deemed a pauper for purposes of chapter 5 of this title by reason thereof. History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 118, art. 13, § 2.
