Family Economic Security

Family security sized for webIt costs between two and three times the federal poverty level to meet basic needs in the Ocean State.

All Rhode Islanders deserve a safe place to live with food on the table and access to affordable health care. But these basic needs are increasingly out of reach for too many of our neighbors.

It costs two to three times the official federal poverty level to meet basic needs in the Ocean State. Many working men and women are paid too little to meet the high cost of living and must rely on work supports, like tax credits and child care subsidies, to be economically secure. Seniors and people with disabilities are often unable to support themselves through work and require a strong network of community support and other public help to ensure a good quality of life.

Learn more about family economic security:

  • Guide to Assistance Programs: Review the services and programs that can help low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders meet their basic needs.
  • Policy Agenda: Read about our policy goals that would improve the economic security of Rhode Islanders.
  • Rhode Island Standard of Need: Our report about the cost of living in Rhode Island and how tax credits and work supports help households make ends meet.
  • Fact and Stats: Find facts about poverty, income, health insurance and more.
We engage in research, public education, and advocacy to improve the economic security of Rhode Islanders.

Research: We track, analyze and report data to gain a better understanding of the economic conditions facing Rhode Islanders.

Trainings on public benefits:  Our team trains social service providers and community partners about eligibility for public benefit programs.

Legislative and regulatory advocacy:  We speak before policymakers at both the legislative and administrative level to present testimony about legislative, budgetary, and regulatory proposals.

Streamlining Access, Strengthening Families Project:  A project with the Department of Human Services to simplify the eligibility and renewal processes for work and income support programs.

Leading and participating in statewide committees.   Our staff chair the state’s RI Works Advisory Committee and the state’s Child Support Advisory Committee.  We are also members of the Permanent Legislative Committee on Child Care.