# R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-1: Short title €” €œPublic assistance€ and €œdepartment€ defined

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-1

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-1
- **Heading:** Short title €” €œPublic assistance€ and €œdepartment€ defined
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 40 / Chapter 40-6 / Section 40-6-1

## Text

(a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the €œPublic Assistance Act.€

(b) Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth herein, unless the context in which the terms are used clearly indicates to the contrary:

(1) €œDepartment€ shall mean the Rhode Island department of human services.

(2) €œPublic assistance€ means general public assistance (GPA); supplemental security income (SSI); RI works pursuant to chapter 5.2 of this title; childcare assistance; medical assistance, and supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) pursuant to 7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.; which programs are administered and/or financed in whole or in part by the Rhode Island department of human services.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-1 § 40-6-1. Short title €” €œPublic assistance€ and €œdepartment€ defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-2 § 40-6-2. Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3 § 40-6-3. General public assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.1 § 40-6-3.1. Eligibility for general public assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.2 § 40-6-3.2. Form of assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.7 § 40-6-3.7. Local welfare offices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.10 § 40-6-3.10. Funeral and burial expenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.11 § 40-6-3.11. €œDependent child€ defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.12 § 40-6-3.12. Enteral nutrition products.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-3.12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-4.1 § 40-6-4.1. Ineligibility for aid or assistance €” Commitment to training school or adult correctional institutions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-4.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-5.2 § 40-6-5.2. Cashing of AFDC, GPA checks.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-5.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-6 § 40-6-6. Authorization to pay assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-7.1 § 40-6-7.1. Expanded eligibility for pregnant women and young children.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-7.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-7.2 § 40-6-7.2. Presumptive eligibility for pregnant women.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-7.2.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T40_C40-6_S40-6-1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.