Divorce or separation
What to do first
- Check whose health plan covers you and your children, and what changes.
- Ask your state's child support office for help setting up support.
- If your income dropped, apply for food benefits, Medicaid or cash help.
- If you change your name, update it with Social Security first, then your ID.
- Get free legal help before you sign an agreement.
Talk it through
Tell us more about what happened. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.
Dates that matter
These windows are set by federal rules. Your state may have its own dates too, so ask the agency.
60 days
Health coverage
If the divorce or separation means you lose your health plan, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan. You have 60 days.
Source: HealthCare.gov60 days
Keeping a spouse on a job's plan (COBRA)
To keep COBRA for a spouse after a divorce or legal separation, the plan must be told. Plans set the deadline, but it can be no shorter than 60 days, so tell the plan within 60 days.
Source: DOL.gov
Help from Rhode Island
Rhode Island programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Rhode Island Office of Child Support Services
Child Support Services
The office helps parents establish and manage child support services and payments.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Medical Assistance
Rhode Island Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
HealthSource RI
Children's Health Insurance Program
In Rhode Island, CHIP is called RIte Care.
RIte Care provides Medicaid-funded health coverage to eligible children and families.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
HealthSource RI
HealthSource RI Marketplace Coverage
In Rhode Island, the health insurance marketplace is called HealthSource RI.
HealthSource RI is Rhode Island's marketplace for comparing and enrolling in health coverage.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible households pay for food.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Rhode Island Works
In Rhode Island, TANF is called RI Works.
RI Works provides cash and employment support to eligible families with children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program
CCAP helps eligible families pay for child care while they work, train, or attend an eligible college program.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing
Consolidated Homeless Fund
State-funded partners may use this fund to provide short-term rental help and housing stabilization to people experiencing homelessness.
Ways to apply:In person
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help
These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.
SSA.gov
A new name on your Social Security card
A new Social Security card with your new name is free. Change it with Social Security before you change your driver license or ID.
SSA.gov
Benefits from a former spouse
If you were married 10 years or longer, you may get Social Security on your former spouse's work record later on.
LSC.gov
Free legal help
Legal aid offices give free legal help to people with low income. Find the one that serves you with the Legal Services Corporation's search.
Checked on October 9, 2026
Help near you
Find county and state offices near you, or call 211 to talk to someone about help in your area.
Talk to a person
- United Way of Rhode Island 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988