General Public Assistance Program related to COVID-19
218-RICR-20-00-9 INACTIVE RULE EMERGENCY RULE
9.1 Covid-19 VIRUS and the Rhode Island State of Emergency
A. Prior to the implementation of any new procedure under this regulation, the Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) shall seek federal waivers or approval, when required, from the Federal agencies that provide funding and oversight for the Department of Corrections (DOC), and for the programs the Department of Human Services administers. The Director shall also consider any guidance by these Federal agencies, when available, when implementing new procedures.
B. Upon withdrawal of the R.I. State of Emergency, as it relates to COVID-19, these new procedures shall lapse after three business days from the withdrawal of the State of Emergency for Rhode Island.
9.2 Standards for Vendor
9.2.1 Eligibility and Payment for Funeral and Burial Expenses
A. Eligibility for Funeral and Burial Expenses (see 218-RICR-20-00-3 §3.22.1)
1. Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the R.I. State of Emergency, DHS may provide payment for burial expenses for individuals who die as a result of COVID-19, who are in state care through the Departments of Corrections (DOC) at the time of their death.
2. The DOC will make reasonable inquiry for next of kin. If there is no next of kin identified, the DOC will notify the Director of DHS for burial.
9.2.2 Application of Payment of Burial Cost (see 218-RICR-20-00-3 §3.22.6)
A. Due to the COVID-19 virus and the R.I. State of Emergency, DHS will accept self-attestation as proof of resources and will not require additional verification for burial applications.
| Title | 218 | Department of Human Services |
| Chapter | 20 | Individual and Family Support Programs |
| Subchapter | 00 | N/A |
| Part | 9 | General Public Assistance Program related to COVID-19 |
| Type of Filing | Adoption |
| Regulation Status | Inactive |
| Effective | 06/12/2020 to 08/06/2021 |
Regulation Authority:
RI Executive Order 20-02
Purpose and Reason:
The Department of Human Services is expanding some requirements during the Novel Corona Virus to prepare for the increased need of GPA Burial Assistance. The Department may provide payment for burial expenses for individuals who die as a result of COVID-19, who are in state care through DOC at the time of their death, in addition, DHS will accept self-attestation as proof of resources and will not require additional verification for burial applications.
Editorial Notes:
The agency requested an extension to the effective dates allowed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.10 for this emergency adoption which was originally promulgated as an emergency adoption on June 12, 2020. The extension was granted in accordance with Executive Order 21-37 which permits extensions for sixty (60) days. As a result of this additional extension, the effective dates have been revised and the regulation will now become ineffective on August 6, 2021.
Brief statement of Reason for Finding Imminent Peril:
With the possibility of increased need for GPA Burial Assistance program due to COVID-19, the regulations are necessary to expand the scope of assistance to individuals who die of COVID-19 who are in the custody of DOC. In addition, these regulations will assist families in applying for GPA Burial with the acceptance of self attestation.