Rhode Island officials, including U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, have sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture for assistance following a cyberattack on the RIBridges system. The attack, carried out by an international ransomware group, put the personal data of about 500,000 Rhode Island residents at risk. As a result, residents are now required to submit paper applications for essential services, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The letter requests flexibility and support from the federal government to ensure residents do not lose access to needed benefits during this challenging time. Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation highlighted the impact of the cyberattack on vulnerable constituents and emphasized the importance of providing assistance and flexibility within all application rules and regulations.
In response to the attack, Rhode Island officials are advising residents to take steps to protect their data, including freezing credit, monitoring credit, enabling two-factor authentication, and being vigilant. Residents can also contact the RIBridges call center for more information.
The Rhode Island delegation expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the federal government thus far and urged prompt attention to their request for additional support. The state is facing challenges in managing enrollment and eligibility verifications for essential programs, including health insurance, due to the cyberattack on the RIBridges system.
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