Rhode Island COVID-19 Resources

PAYING MORTGAGE OR RENT

ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES

The Public Utilities Commission has directed every electric, gas, water, and wastewater utility regulated by the state agency, including National Grid, and Providence Water to discontinue service terminations and other collection activities for all customers until May 8, 2020.

RISEO Emergency Fuel Program
This Rhode Island program is a separate program from LIHEAP and it offers emergency assistance to households that are experiencing an energy-related crisis, and will help families pay utility and heating bills.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund: www.rhodeislandgoodneighbor.org.

UniBank assistance program: 508-754-1176

Heating assistance: https://www.ricommunityaction.org/member-services/default.aspx

RESOURCES FOR FOOD ACCESS

Farm Fresh Rhode Island also has a Market Mobile wholesale service to get fresh food from local farms delivered to your home. Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Market Mobile Service accepts PayPal in addition to SNAP and EBT.

RESOURCES FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS

The Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) is conducting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) appointments by phone and is also available to help clients receiving assistance from the Low Income Home Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other emergency services. To contact, call 401-467-7013 during regular working hours or email at [email protected]. Please note that state and federal taxes are not due this year until July 15.

RESOURCES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

Testing for COVID-19 is available to every Rhode Islander, regardless of immigration status. To learn more about Rhode Island-specific healthcare, housing, food, COVID-19 testing locations, public charge, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) matters during the COVID-19 response, please visit the Rhode Island Economic Progress Institute’s COVID-19 resource page.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the agency will not consider any “testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine because available) related to COVID-19 in a public charge determination, even if such treatment is provided or paid for by one or more public benefits.” The Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) campaign developed a quick reference guide on Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs During COVID-19, outlining whether public programs will be taken into account for public charge purposes.

On March 18th, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it would “temporarily adjust its enforcement posture” and focus enforcement on “public safety risks and individuals subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds.” For all others, the agency “will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate.” The agency also stated that HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) will continue to carry out their mission and that DHS would not make any arrests near hospitals, doctor’s offices, or health clinics “except in the most extraordinary circumstances.” It remains unclear how this additional guidance will be implemented. ICE has also suspended check-ins at their local field office (and sub-contracting agencies) in some jurisdictions (including NYC); For those whose jurisdictions have not received clear guidance, individuals should contact their local field office.

All immigration court hearings are postponed until at least May 1, 2020, for people who are not detained. For people who are detained, hearings are continuing for now. Stay informed about updates by visiting The Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), calling their hotline at 800-898-7180, and checking the EOIR Facebook page.

All routine face-to-face services with applicants at all United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices nationwide, including interviews, biometrics appointments, and naturalization ceremonies remain suspended until May 3. USCIS will continue to process applications that have already completed their interviews. They will also provide emergency service appointments through the USCIS Contact Center. On March 30, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process valid I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, extension requests due to the temporary closure of Application Support Centers (ASC) to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will remain in effect until ASC’s resume normal operations. United We Dream issued updated guidance for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

RESOURCES FOR HOMEOWNERS SEEKING MORTGAGE FORBEARANCE

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes several measures designed to relieve the financial strain on homeowners during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please note this information is evolving as federal guidance is created and we will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.

Please visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the full range of mortgage relief options.

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Mortgage Relief in the CARES Act:

• This fact sheet from the National Housing Law Project
• This FAQ from the US House Committee on Financial Services.

Bad Behavior

• If you believe that you are being denied relief you are entitled to, contact the RI Attorney General’s office. The complaint line is 401-274-4400, prompt #1 is for the consumer protection unit.