Press Releases and Statements

Getting Help While SNAP Benefits Are on Hold | RI Department of Human Services

October 21, 2025

We received notification from the Department of Health and Human Services that SNAP benefits will stop effective November 1^st if the government shutdown does not end.This will impact 140,000 RI families, many with children.

Key Points from DHS are here:

• October SNAP benefits have already been issued and are not affected by the shutdown.
• No federally funded SNAP benefits will be issued for November unless Congress and the federal Administration act to end the shutdown.
• DHS operations continue. Customers can still apply, recertify, or make changes to their cases.It is important that customers ensure their cases are complete and up-to-date so that when SNAP funds are restored all eligible customers receive benefits as soon as possible.
• DHS will communicate immediately when federal direction changes or additional guidance is received.

1. What is happening?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed states that federally funded SNAP benefits cannot be distributed for November if the shutdown continues. This affects 42 million Americans nationwide and approximately 140,000 Rhode Islanders.

2. What does this mean for Rhode Islanders?

• October benefits are secure.
• No additional federal funding has been authorized for November.
• Without congressional action, SNAP benefits will not be issued on November 1.

3. What is DHS doing?

• Working with Governor McKee, EOHHS, and OMB to assess impacts and advocate for federal action.
• Coordinating with food banks, community organizations, and local partners to prepare for increased need.
• Sharing information promptly and consistently with providers to ensure clarity and coordination.

4. What should providers tell clients who ask about their SNAP benefits?

You can say:

“Your October SNAP benefits are safe. Unfortunately, without congressional action, November benefits will not be issued due to the federal shutdown. DHS and state leaders are advocating for Washington to act quickly and restore this essential funding. We’ll share updates as soon as new information is available.”

5. How can providers help right now?

• Reinforce accurate information and discourage misinformation.
• Encourage families to plan ahead with current benefits and connect them to community food resources.
• Report urgent trends or community impacts to your DHS program contact or James.beardsworth@dhs.ri.gov, DHS chief public affairs officer.

NASW-RI is monitoring this situation closely. We know how big this impact will be should SNAP benefits not be issued in November. Please be in touch with us to get involved with our advocacy efforts. You can email Rebekah at rgewirtz.naswma@socialworkers.org

NASW Conference 2025

By Meredith Sinel, LICSW
NASW-RI Chapter President

Most of us have never been in a space where over 2000 social workers are in the same room and I have. The 2025 NASW Conference brought together a diverse, colorful, passionate, motivated, curious and determined group of individuals from around the country, including Puerto Rico. If you don't think that diversity matters, you are absolutely mistaken. 

Someone who immigrated to this country and left everything behind that they have ever known, I will never fully understand their experience. 

Someone who was born into a family where their native language is not English, I will never fully understand their experience. 

Someone who navigates this world feeling they have been born in the wrong body, I will never fully understand their experience. 

Someone who has more melanin than I do and is treated differently every single day by our world, I will never fully understand their experience. 

Someone who was born into a home of addiction where this addiction was the elephant in the room, I will never fully understand their experience. 

Someone who was born into poverty, who didn't have food, clothing or their basic needs met, I will never fully understand their experience. 

Someone who has a family member who is incarcerated and knows what it's like to have them miss the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, the births, the deaths, I will never understand their experience.

There are so many experiences that I will never fully understand and that's ok. Because I have a lot of wisdom that is unique to my story and this helps me in this profoundly sacred profession.

And there are so many social workers who attended the NASW Conference who do understand the different experiences and have walked in the shoes of the people they serve. And that's why diversity matters. If you don't think it does, you are absolutely mistaken. Just ask our clients. 

This conference reinvigorated our commitment to social justice and access for humanity. We want change and we want it to be done by leaders who understand that our diversity is what makes this world a better place. I may not always fully understand someone's experience, but I am dedicated to ensuring that people are treated with dignity, kindness, respect and love. And I know that as a social worker, I am surrounded by colleagues who are devoted each day, to doing the same. 

Thank you NASW for helping us find the light and hope again!

NASW-RI Statement on the Passing of Senate President Ruggierio

April 22, 2025

On behalf of our social worker members, NASW-RI sends our condolences to the friends, colleagues, and loved ones of Senate President Dominick Ruggierio on this sad occasion of his passing. Public service is an essential way to uphold the values of our democracy. It is an important calling and one Senator Ruggierio did with integrity and good will.

NASW-RI Statement on ASWB Exam Data

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) just released new data on pass rates related to social work licensing exams. The data show glaring disparities in pass rates between white people and people of color – particularly Black test-takers in RI and nationwide. This is unacceptable and we must act. NASW-RI is committed to supporting a diverse social work field and we must continue to remove barriers that clinicians of color face when choosing the social work profession. This year we worked with @RICSSW and @SenDimario and @Repshallcross smith to remove the licensure test at the Master’s level. We knew based on anecdotal information that there were disparities in outcomes. Removing this testing requirement at the master’s level is one essential way to eliminate the perpetuation of systemic failures. We will continue to demand solutions to assure equitable access to the field.

Rhode Island (2011-2021):
First time Test Takers Clinical Exam

Overall # of test-takers: 783
Overall Pass Rate: 82.1%
Breakdown passing rate by ethnicity:

• White: 88.2%
• Native American/Indigenous Peoples: No%
• Multiracial: 80%
• Hispanic/Latino: 60%
• Black: 51%
• Asian: 58.3%

Data Found: www.aswb.org/exam/contributing-to-the-conversation/aswb-exam-pass-rates-by-state-province/