R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-3.7: Local welfare offices.

There shall be in each city or town a public welfare office or offices where persons may make application for any type of public assistance, unless the director of the department of human services designates other suitable offices within the state where persons may make application. Suitable quarters for the office shall be provided by cities and towns, and for the expense of maintaining the offices, the cities and towns shall be reimbursed as a general public assistance expense. In situations where, in the judgment of a city or town, the amount of work does not justify the establishment of a local office or where, for other reasons, a city or town does not desire a local office, the state may, with the approval of the cities or towns concerned, establish an office that may serve two (2) or more cities or towns.