Rhode Island · Property tax exemptions for people with disabilities · Updated Oct 2026
Rhode Island property tax exemptions for people with disabilities (2026)
Every statewide property tax break in Rhode Island that our guide lists for homeowners with a disability, including senior breaks that also cover people with disabilities. What each is worth, who qualifies, the deadline and how to apply.
Short answer
The main property tax break for people with disabilities in Rhode Island is the Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts). Local amounts off assessed value.
Some amounts depend on where you live. In Rhode Island, some of these breaks or their amounts are set or adjusted by your county, city or town, as each exemption below explains. Ask your local assessor for the figure that applies to your home.
Property tax breaks for people with disabilities in Rhode Island
Disability
Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts)
Local amounts off assessed value. Blind: East Providence $51,425 for 2026 (about $687 off the tax bill); Providence $109,643 for fiscal year 2026-27 (saving capped at $921). Providence also gives $59,405 (saving capped at $499) to owners who are 100% disabled under Social Security (SSDI or SSI) or who receive 100% disability payments from another public source.
Who qualifies
Blind exemption: owners certified as legally blind by the RI Department of Human Services, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 100% disability exemption (in towns that offer it, e.g. Providence): owners found 100% disabled under Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act, or receiving 100% disability payments from sources such as railroad retirement, federal civil service, postal service, or Providence police and fire pensions.
How to apply
Give your assessor the certification letter from Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or your disability award letter.
Deadline
Set locally (East Providence: March 15).
Renewal
Confirm locally.
Law
R.I. Gen. Laws 44-3-12 (blind); Providence Code sec. 21-126(b)
Set by each town: a flat amount off assessed value, a tax credit, or an income-based exemption; some towns also allow a senior tax freeze. Example (Providence, fiscal year 2026-27): $89,286 off assessed value for owners 65 or older, but the tax saving cannot exceed $750; owners 62-64 who receive Social Security get $54,762 off (saving capped at $460).
For people with disabilities: State law separately lets certain towns freeze tax for owners 65+ or totally disabled below set incomes (R.I.
Who qualifies
Usually owner-occupants 65 or older; some towns add income limits and residency or ownership periods (for example, Richmond requires 3 years). State law separately lets certain towns freeze tax for owners 65+ or totally disabled below set incomes (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-3-16).
Income limit
Varies by town; Providence's 65+ exemption has no income limit in its ordinance.
How to apply
Apply to your local assessor with proof of age (and income if your town requires it).
Deadline
Set locally; commonly March 15 (Providence's homestead/owner-occupied deadline is March 15; confirm the senior exemption deadline with the Providence assessor).
Renewal
Set locally; income-based programs usually need a yearly application.
Law
R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 44-3 (town-specific sections, e.g. 44-3-24 and 44-3-31 for Providence); 44-3-16 (local-option tax freeze); Providence Code sec. 21-126(b)
A state credit or refund for property tax (or 20% of rent) on your home that is more than 3% to 6% of your household income, depending on income. For tax year 2025 (claims filed in 2026) the maximum is $700. The amount is adjusted every year for inflation.
For people with disabilities: Rhode Island domiciled residents for the whole year who are 65 or older, or whose spouse is, or who receive Social Security disability benefits, homeowners or renters, with total household income of $40,730 or less for 2025.
Who qualifies
Rhode Island domiciled residents for the whole year who are 65 or older, or whose spouse is, or who receive Social Security disability benefits, homeowners or renters, with total household income of $40,730 or less for 2025. You must be current on property taxes or rent on the home for that year and all earlier years. One claim per household.
Income limit
$40,730 total household income for tax year 2025 (2025 Form RI-1040H); adjusted for inflation each year
How to apply
File Form RI-1040H with the RI Division of Taxation, with your RI-1040 or on its own. Attach your property tax bill (homeowners) or your lease or 3 rent receipts (renters); if under 65, attach your Social Security disability award letter or Form 1099-SSA.
Form
RI-1040H Property Tax Relief Claim (2025)
Deadline
April 15 of the year after the taxes were paid: April 15, 2026 for tax year 2025 (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-33-6). An extension may be requested.
Renewal
Every year
Law
R.I. Gen. Laws 44-33-1 to 44-33-19 (esp. 44-33-3, 44-33-6, 44-33-9)
Apply to your local assessor with proof of age (and income if your town requires it).
Deadline: Set locally; commonly March 15 (Providence's homestead/owner-occupied deadline is March 15; confirm the senior exemption deadline with the Providence assessor).
Renewal: Set locally; income-based programs usually need a yearly application.
File Form RI-1040H with the RI Division of Taxation, with your RI-1040 or on its own.
Attach your property tax bill (homeowners) or your lease or 3 rent receipts (renters); if under 65, attach your Social Security disability award letter or Form 1099-SSA.
Form: RI-1040H Property Tax Relief Claim (2025)
Deadline: April 15 of the year after the taxes were paid: April 15, 2026 for tax year 2025 (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-33-6). An extension may be requested.
Renewal: Every year
Savings estimate for Rhode Island
None of these breaks is one fixed dollar amount taken off your home's value, so we can't estimate the savings here. What each one is worth is on its card above.
Eligibility finder for Rhode Island
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Document checklist for Rhode Island
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Questions about people with disabilities property tax breaks in Rhode Island
Who qualifies for property tax breaks for people with disabilities in Rhode Island?
Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts): Blind exemption: owners certified as legally blind by the RI Department of Human Services, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 100% disability exemption (in towns that offer it, e.g. Providence): owners found 100% disabled under Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act, or receiving 100% disability payments from sources such as railroad retirement, federal civil service, postal service, or Providence police and fire pensions. Elderly (65+) Exemption (local amounts): Usually owner-occupants 65 or older; some towns add income limits and residency or ownership periods (for example, Richmond requires 3 years). State law separately lets certain towns freeze tax for owners 65+ or totally disabled below set incomes (R.I. Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H): Rhode Island domiciled residents for the whole year who are 65 or older, or whose spouse is, or who receive Social Security disability benefits, homeowners or renters, with total household income of $40,730 or less for 2025. You must be current on property taxes or rent on the home for that year and all earlier years.
Is there an income limit for people with disabilities' property tax breaks in Rhode Island?
Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts): no income limit is listed in our sources. Elderly (65+) Exemption (local amounts): Varies by town; Providence's 65+ exemption has no income limit in its ordinance. Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H): $40,730 total household income for tax year 2025 (2025 Form RI-1040H); adjusted for inflation each year.
When is the deadline for people with disabilities to apply in Rhode Island?
Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts): Set locally (East Providence: March 15). Elderly (65+) Exemption (local amounts): Set locally; commonly March 15 (Providence's homestead/owner-occupied deadline is March 15; confirm the senior exemption deadline with the Providence assessor). Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H): April 15 of the year after the taxes were paid: April 15, 2026 for tax year 2025 (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-33-6). An extension may be requested.
Do people with disabilities have to reapply every year in Rhode Island?
Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts): Confirm locally. Elderly (65+) Exemption (local amounts): Set locally; income-based programs usually need a yearly application. Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H): Every year.
Where do people with disabilities apply for property tax breaks in Rhode Island?
Each city or town's tax assessor decides exemptions, and each sets its own amounts within limits in state law (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 44-3). You apply to your local assessor. The state's low-income Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H) is claimed from the RI Division of Taxation. For the Blind and 100% Disabled Exemptions (local amounts): Give your assessor the certification letter from Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or your disability award letter.