Jovan Bradley
← Mutual Aid Guide

District of Columbia

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211 Answers, Please!

dial 2-1-1 (or 202-463-6211). DC's official information and referral line, run by the Department of Human Services, connects you to food, shelter, rent help, and every other District social service.

Housing & Rent Help

  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

    The District's main program for paying off back rent and stopping evictions for low-income residents; applications open in rounds, so check the portal and apply as soon as a window opens.

  • Shelter Hotline

    Call 202-399-7093 (24/7) if you need shelter tonight or see someone outside in dangerous weather; they dispatch outreach vans and arrange shelter placement.

  • Office of the Tenant Advocate

    Free District office that advises tenants on their rights, bad conditions, and eviction cases. Call 202-719-6560.

  • DC Department of Human Services — Homeless Services

    Entry point for family shelter (through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center) and other homeless services in the District.

Emergency Bills & Cash Assistance

  • DC TANF

    Monthly cash assistance for DC families with children, plus job and education support. Apply online at District Direct or call 202-727-5355.

  • Interim Disability Assistance (IDA)

    Small monthly cash payments for adults who have applied for federal disability (SSI) and are waiting on a decision, when funding is available. Apply through DHS at 202-727-5355.

  • Catholic Charities DC

    Emergency financial help, food, shelter, and free medical and legal clinics across the District for people of any faith. Call 202-772-4300.

  • Bread for the City

    Trusted DC nonprofit offering food, clothing, a free medical clinic, legal help, and social workers who can help with benefits — all under one roof. Call 202-265-2400.

Medical Bills & Debt

  • DC Healthcare Alliance

    Free health coverage for DC residents who don't qualify for Medicaid (including regardless of immigration status) — enrolling can stop new medical bills entirely. Apply via District Direct or call 202-727-5355.

  • Hospital charity care

    DC hospitals have financial assistance programs that can reduce or wipe out bills for low-income patients — ask the hospital billing office for a financial assistance application, or call 2-1-1 for help.

  • Legal Aid DC — debt & consumer help

    Free lawyers if you're being sued over medical or other debt. Call 202-628-1161.

Utilities

  • LIHEAP (DOEE Energy Assistance)

    Pays part of your electric, gas, or heating bill and offers emergency help if you're facing disconnection. Call 202-535-2600 or 311 for an appointment.

  • Utility Discount Programs (UDP)

    Ongoing monthly discounts on Pepco, Washington Gas, DC Water, and phone bills for income-qualified households — you can apply on the same DOEE application as LIHEAP.

  • DOEE Utility Affordability Programs

    One page covering all the District's utility help, including free weatherization and the Arrearage Management Program that forgives old Washington Gas/Pepco debt.

Food

  • DC SNAP

    Monthly grocery money on an EBT card. Apply online at District Direct or call 202-727-5355.

  • Capital Area Food Bank

    The region's food bank; use its online map or call 202-644-9800 to find free groceries and markets near you.

  • DC WIC

    Free healthy food, formula, and breastfeeding support for pregnant people and children under 5. Call 202-442-9397.

  • DC Hunger Solutions

    Helps DC residents find and sign up for free meals, SNAP, WIC, and school food programs.

Healthcare Coverage & Free Care

  • DC Medicaid / DC Healthy Families

    Free health coverage for children, parents, and low-income adults (DC Healthy Families is the children's/CHIP side). Apply at District Direct or call 202-727-5355.

  • DC Health Link

    The District's official insurance marketplace with income-based discounts and free enrollment help. Call 1-855-532-5465.

  • Unity Health Care

    Community health centers across all 8 wards that see everyone, insured or not, on a sliding-fee scale. Call 202-469-4699.

  • Mary's Center

    Health care, dental, and social services regardless of insurance or immigration status, with bilingual staff. Call 844-796-2797.

Mental Health & Crisis

  • Access HelpLine (Dept. of Behavioral Health)

    1-888-7WE-HELP (1-888-793-4357), 24/7 line that sends mobile crisis teams and connects DC residents to free mental health and substance use care.

  • Community Response Team

    DBH's mobile teams for adults and youth in psychiatric or substance use crisis — reached through the Access HelpLine, they come to you instead of police.

  • DC Livelong helpline / 988 in DC

    Call or text 988 in the District to reach local DC crisis counselors linked to DBH follow-up services.

Childcare & Family

  • DC Child Care Subsidy Program

    Pays most of the cost of licensed child care for working, studying, or job-searching families. Learn eligibility and apply through OSSE or at a DHS service center.

  • My Child Care DC

    The District's official tool for finding licensed child care with real-time openings and quality ratings.

  • Greater DC Diaper Bank

    Free diapers, formula, and baby supplies distributed through partner organizations around the District.

Transportation & Employment