The bill amends the Rhode Island Works Program to increase the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2026, and ties the benefit amount to future changes in the federal poverty level. It also increases the cash support pass-through to one hundred dollars ($100) for one child and two hundred dollars ($200) for households with two (2) or more children. Additionally, the bill removes the sixty-five dollars ($65.00) benefit reduction for families living in subsidized housing.

The act introduces new legal language specifying that the first one hundred dollars ($100) in child support received for one child, or two hundred dollars ($200) for households with two (2) or more children, will be passed through to the family. If more than one noncustodial parent makes a child support payment to children living in the same family, there will only be one payment of one hundred dollars ($100) for a household of one child, or two hundred dollars ($200) for a household with two (2) or more children paid to the family from the child support collected.

This act will take effect on January 1, 2027, except for the provisions of 40-5.2-20(c), which will take effect on July 1, 2026.