District of Columbia financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Washington, DC
Washington, DC residents may be able to get help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, cash assistance, employment, and other basic needs. Many District benefits use District Direct, while housing, energy, aging, legal, and crisis services have separate application or referral systems.
Money Fit serves District of Columbia residents. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
District Direct is the main application and account-management system for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Other programs, including child care subsidies, housing assistance, energy help, and aging services, use separate District agencies and local providers.
Apply for SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid
District Direct lets DC residents apply for, renew, and manage major public benefits online. Paper and in-person application routes are also available through DHS.
Find help across the District
The DC 211 Warmline connects residents with non-emergency social service resources, including food, housing, clothing, family support, and community programs.
Housing or utility assistance
DCHousingSearch.org lists affordable housing, while ERAP, DCHA programs, homeless services, and DOEE utility assistance each have separate availability rules and intake routes.
Several DC programs have limited or paused availability in September 2026. DCHA's housing waitlist is closed to new applicants, ERAP has paused scheduling new appointments, and DOEE is not accepting new LIHEAP or Utility Discount Program applications for the current fiscal year. Check the program page before relying on availability.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery assistance, start with SNAP or WIC when the household may qualify. For food needed sooner, the Capital Area Food Bank and DC 211 can help locate nearby pantries and distributions.
DC SNAP
SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible District households. Applications and renewals can be completed through District Direct, by paper application, or through a DHS service center.
Public Benefits Call Center: 202-727-5355
DC WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Local WIC clinics complete enrollment.
DC WIC: 202-442-9397
Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank maintains a partner map for nearby food pantries and distribution sites in the DC region. Residents can also call the Hunger Lifeline for help finding emergency food resources.
Hunger Lifeline: 202-644-9807
SNAP work requirements changed in 2026. Beginning June 1, 2026, DC DHS began reviewing whether certain adults ages 18 through 64 without dependents must meet ABAWD work requirements when they apply or recertify. People who are subject to the rule and do not meet it or qualify for an exemption may receive SNAP for only three months during the District's June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2029 time-limit period.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Housing assistance in Washington, DC is divided among DHCD, DCHA, DHS, DOEE, legal-service organizations, and community providers. Program funding, waitlists, appointment availability, and emergency intake can change quickly.
DCHousingSearch.org
DCHousingSearch.org is the District's free affordable housing locator. Residents can search rental and for-sale housing, including accessible and income-restricted options, and review renter resources.
Housing locator support: 877-428-8844
DC Housing Authority
DCHA administers public housing and Housing Choice Voucher assistance. Its waiting lists are currently closed to new applicants, with no scheduled reopening date. Existing applicants should keep their contact information current.
DCHA Call Center: 202-535-1000
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
ERAP can help qualifying District households facing a housing emergency with overdue rent, certain court costs, security deposits, or first month's rent. As of September 17, 2026, ERAP has paused scheduling new appointments while existing appointments are processed.
DOEE utility affordability programs
DOEE administers LIHEAP, the Utility Discount Program, water-bill discounts, weatherization, and other energy programs. LIHEAP and UDP are closed to new applications for the current fiscal year, with updates expected as the new fiscal year begins October 1, 2026.
DC Homeless Services Hotline
DHS provides low-barrier shelter and transportation to shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The hotline operates daily, with 24-hour coverage during hypothermia season from November 1 through March 31.
Homeless Services Hotline: 202-399-7093 or 311
Virginia Williams Family Resource Center
Families experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of homelessness can contact the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, the central intake office for District families seeking housing assistance.
Family intake: 202-526-0017
Legal Aid DC
Legal Aid DC helps eligible low-income residents with rental housing, public benefits, consumer law, foreclosure, family law, domestic violence, immigration, and other civil legal matters. Separate housing and debt-collection hotlines are also available.
Legal Aid intake: 202-628-1161
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Medicaid applications and renewals use District Direct. DC Health Link handles private Marketplace coverage and the Healthy DC Plan, while community health centers can help residents find local primary and preventive care.
DC Medicaid
Residents can apply for Medicaid online through District Direct, by phone, mail, fax, or at a DHS Economic Security Administration service center. Eligibility depends on income, household circumstances, age, disability, pregnancy, and program rules.
Public Benefits Call Center: 202-727-5355
Healthy DC Plan
The Healthy DC Plan began January 1, 2026 for qualifying DC residents who are not eligible for Medicaid or other coverage. Enrollment remains open throughout 2026, and eligible residents pay no monthly premium and no cost when receiving covered care.
Healthy DC Plan Contact Center: 833-432-7526
DC Health Link
DC Health Link is the District's official Marketplace for individual and family health plans. Medicaid can be applied for year-round, while private-plan enrollment generally follows open enrollment or a qualifying special enrollment period.
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide medical, dental, behavioral health, substance-use, and other services. Health centers serve people regardless of ability to pay and use sliding-fee discounts based on income and family size.
Major health coverage changes are arriving. DC Health Care Finance says some adult noncitizens will be affected by Medicaid eligibility changes beginning October 1, 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, some expansion adults will also face community-engagement requirements and six-month eligibility reviews unless exempt. Residents should rely on notices from DHCF and DHS for their individual coverage status.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
DC child care subsidies and TANF both changed in 2026. Families can still apply, but child care subsidy enrollment depends on priority group while the waitlist is active, and TANF policy changes begin October 1, 2026.
DC Child Care Subsidy Program
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families pay part or all of child care costs. A waitlist began May 12, 2026. Effective July 8, children in Priority Groups 1, 2, and 3 may enroll, while Priority Groups 4, 5, and 6 are placed on the waitlist.
OSSE: 202-727-6436
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides cash assistance and employment-related support to eligible families with dependent children. Residents can apply through District Direct or DHS service centers.
Public Benefits Call Center: 202-727-5355
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle eligibility, enrollment, openings, and waiting lists.
Head Start locator help: 866-763-6481
TANF changes begin October 1, 2026. DC DHS says households that have received TANF for more than 60 months will begin seeing stepped-down benefits, and the failure-to-work sanction for work-eligible families will increase from 6 percent to 25 percent. DHS is also developing a hardship extension policy for certain households.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, reduced hours, a legal problem, or the loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing and the rest of the household budget.
DC unemployment compensation
Eligible workers who lose employment may apply for unemployment compensation through DCNetworks. Claimants must continue filing required weekly certifications and follow Department of Employment Services instructions.
DC American Job Center
American Job Centers provide job-search help, workforce services, workshops, training information, and employment support. In-person services at listed centers are currently available by appointment.
American Job Center: 202-724-7000
Legal Aid DC
Legal Aid DC provides free legal services to qualifying low-income residents in housing, public benefits, consumer law, family law, domestic violence, immigration, reentry, and other areas.
Legal Aid intake: 202-628-1161
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on household income or participation in certain public benefit programs, and only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
The DC Department of Aging and Community Living coordinates services for residents age 60 and older, adults ages 18 through 59 with disabilities, and caregivers. Services include benefits assistance, long-term services and supports, nutrition, transportation, caregiver programs, legal help, and protective services.
DACL Information and Referral/Assistance
DACL's Information and Referral/Assistance unit helps residents and caregivers find programs, complete benefit applications, explore long-term supports, and connect with housing, transportation, nutrition, and other community services.
DACL: 202-724-5626, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
DACL benefits assistance
DACL helps low-income older adults and people with disabilities apply for Medicaid and SNAP and understand home and community-based and Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities waiver services.
Adult Protective Services
DC Adult Protective Services investigates reports involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults and helps connect residents with needed services.
APS Hotline: 202-541-3950, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for crisis support involving suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, or substance use. DC's Department of Behavioral Health also operates a 24-hour Access Helpline for behavioral health services.
Call or text: 988
DBH Access Helpline: 888-793-4357
DC Victim Hotline
The DC Victim Hotline provides 24-hour crisis intervention and connects crime victims, including domestic violence survivors, with emergency, advocacy, shelter, counseling, and other services.
DC Victim Hotline: 844-4-HELP-DC (844-443-5732)
DC 211 Warmline
The DC 211 Warmline provides non-emergency referrals to social services and community resources across the District. Live call hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; after-hours callers can leave a voicemail for a return call within one to two business days.
Call: 211 or 202-463-6211
Homeless Services Hotline
The hotline provides information about shelter availability, transportation to shelter, and homelessness services. During hypothermia season from November 1 through March 31, the hotline operates 24 hours a day.
Call: 202-399-7093 or 311
HSEMA and FEMA
The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency coordinates District emergency preparedness and response. FEMA household assistance is available only when a federal disaster declaration includes Individual Assistance for the District and the application period is open.
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance can help with basic expenses while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, payday loans, or other unsecured debts continue affecting the household budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help District residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible options.
A debt management plan may organize eligible unsecured debt into one monthly payment. A DMP is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
