Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Rhode Island. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Rhode Island)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Rhode Island SHIP)
Rhode Island's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is run by the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA). SHIP-trained counselors give free, confidential, unbiased help with Medicare benefits, plan comparisons, enrollment, Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans, Medigap, and applying for cost-saving programs like Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, and Extra Help / Low Income Subsidy.
Rhode Island SHIP (through OHA) toll-free: 1-888-884-8721 OHA Medicare counseling page: oha.ri.gov/Medicare The Point (Aging and Disability Resource Center): 401-462-4444
Medicaid in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Medicaid covers seniors and adults with disabilities, including Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), the SSI-related Medicaid program, the Medicare Premium Payment Program, and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) that help people get personal care, homemaker services, adult day care, personal emergency response systems, and respite care so they can stay at home and delay nursing-home care.
How to apply: online through the HealthyRhode customer portal, by phone through the Department of Human Services (DHS) at 1-855-697-4347 (1-855-MY-RIDHS), or with a paper application mailed to your local DHS office. For help, you can also call The Point at 401-462-4444. Be ready with Social Security and Medicare cards, income and bank records (long-term care reviews can look back several years), property deeds, and insurance policies.
Stay Covered Rhode Island, Older Adults: staycovered.ri.gov
Prescription help
Rhode Island operates a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program called RIPAE (Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly), administered by the Office of Healthy Aging. RIPAE helps pay a share of the cost of RIPAE-approved medications, including during the deductible stage of a Medicare Part D plan. It serves residents age 65 and older who meet income guidelines, and residents 55 and older who are disabled.
RIPAE / Office of Healthy Aging: 401-462-3000, oha.ri.gov
Other options: Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that lowers Part D drug costs for qualifying beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov. BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for manufacturer patient assistance programs and added savings. Rhode Island SHIP counselors (1-888-884-8721) can check Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
Rhode Island's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Department of Human Services and delivered through local Community Action Agencies. Heating benefits are a grant that does not have to be repaid. A Winter Crisis component helps households facing a heating emergency.
Eligibility: households with gross income at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income for their household size may qualify.
Benefits and timing: for federal fiscal year 2026, heating benefits run from a $50 minimum to an $861 maximum, with winter crisis assistance up to $1,500. The heating program generally runs October 1 through April 15.
How to apply: contact your local Community Action Agency, apply online and view the FFY 2026 income chart at dhs.ri.gov, or call 211.
Property tax relief (Rhode Island)
Rhode Island offers senior property tax help on two separate tracks:
Rhode Island Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H, statewide): a refundable state income-tax credit administered by the Rhode Island Division of Taxation for low-income homeowners and renters who are age 65 or older or disabled. For the 2025 tax year, the maximum credit is $700 and household income must be $40,730 or less. Renters can count 20 percent of rent as property tax for the calculation. File Form RI-1040H by April 15, 2026 (it can be filed with or without a full state income tax return).
Local senior exemptions (set by each city or town): in addition to the statewide credit, Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns may each offer their own local property tax exemption or freeze for older homeowners. The age, income limits, and dollar amounts are set locally and vary widely from town to town, so you must confirm your own community's rules. Contact your city or town tax assessor's office for the exact exemption, eligibility, and filing deadline where you live.
RI Division of Taxation, personal income tax forms (RI-1040H): tax.ri.gov
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Rhode Island's aging services are coordinated by the Office of Healthy Aging and reached through The Point, the statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center.
The Point (Aging and Disability Resource Center): 401-462-4444 Office of Healthy Aging: oha.ri.gov
Services available through the network:
- Congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island)
- In-home care, personal care, and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support
- Transportation assistance (including the RIde program for older adults and people with disabilities)
- Long-term care ombudsman services for residents of care facilities
Legal aid: free civil legal help for older Rhode Islanders is available through Rhode Island Legal Services (rils.org). You can also reach legal help through The Point or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rhode Island's SHIP program? Rhode Island's SHIP is run by the Office of Healthy Aging. Trained counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help statewide, covering plan comparisons, enrollment, drug plans, Medigap, and cost-savings programs. Reach it toll-free at 1-888-884-8721, or call The Point at 401-462-4444.
Does Rhode Island offer property tax relief for seniors? Yes, in two ways. The statewide Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H) is a refundable credit for homeowners and renters who are 65 or older or disabled, worth up to $700 for the 2025 tax year if household income is $40,730 or less, filed by April 15, 2026. Separately, your individual city or town may offer a local senior exemption or freeze with its own age, income, and amount rules, so check with your local tax assessor.
How do Rhode Island seniors get help with heating bills? Through LIHEAP, run by the Department of Human Services and delivered by local Community Action Agencies. Households at or below 60 percent of State Median Income may qualify; FFY 2026 heating benefits run from $50 to $861, with winter crisis help up to $1,500, and the grant does not have to be repaid. Apply through your Community Action Agency, at dhs.ri.gov, or by calling 211.
Does Rhode Island help seniors pay for prescriptions? Yes. RIPAE (Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly), run by the Office of Healthy Aging, helps pay part of the cost of approved medications for income-eligible residents 65 and older and for disabled residents 55 and older. Call the Office of Healthy Aging at 401-462-3000. Also ask a SHIP counselor about federal Extra Help.
Sources
- RI Office of Healthy Aging, Medicare Counseling (SHIP): https://oha.ri.gov/Medicare (Verified June 13, 2026)
- SHIP National directory, Rhode Island: https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/rhode-island/ (Verified June 13, 2026)
- Stay Covered Rhode Island, Older Adults (Age 65 and Older): https://staycovered.ri.gov/your-medicaid-benefits/programs-services/older-adults-age-65-and-older (Verified June 13, 2026)
- RI Department of Human Services, LIHEAP: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/energy-assistance-programs-heating/low-income-home-energy-assistance-1 (Verified June 13, 2026)
- RI Division of Taxation, 2025 RI-1040 Instructions (Property Tax Relief Credit, maximum $700, income limit $40,730): https://tax.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur541/files/2025-12/2025%201040R%20Instructions%20122025.pdf (Verified June 13, 2026)
- RI Division of Taxation, Personal Income Tax Forms: https://tax.ri.gov/forms/individual-tax-forms/personal-income-tax-forms (Verified June 13, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.