Common Public Benefits

Apply for Public Benefits

This page describes some common public benefits. You may be eligible for some or all of these benefits.

SNAP, TANF, and Medical Assistance

The maximum SNAP amount you can get based on your household size is:

The maximum TANF amount you can get based on your household size is:

You or your family may be eligible for Medicaid or Alliance health insurance based on your income and household size. Children and pregnant women may be eligible even if the household income is higher than the table below

Disability Benefits

Adults:

If you have a long-term medical condition that makes it impossible to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Disability benefits include SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).

Children:

If your child has a serious long-term medical condition, they may be eligible for SSI.

Unemployment Insurance

If you lost your job and it was not your fault, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance.

To apply, visit www.dcnetworks.org and click on the tab labeled “Claim Unemployment Benefits” or call 202-724- 7000.

You may also be eligible for additional unemployment benefits related to the pandemic. However, these pandemic-related programs will end on September 4, 2021. You can learn more about these programs here: https://does.dc.gov/service/unemployment-compensation-process.

How do I apply for food stamps, TANF, Medicaid, and Alliance?

You can apply for all of these benefits at the same time! There are two steps to apply:

Step 1: Get the documents you need. Don’t send the originals! Take a picture or make a copy.

Step 2: Apply. You can apply for all public benefits, including food stamps, TANF, Medicaid, and D.C. Healthcare Alliance on the same application. Apply in one of five ways:

In person: Go to one of these service centers. Ask for a receipt when you apply

• Anacostia Service Center
  2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
  (202) 645-4614
• Congress Heights Service Center
  4001 South Capitol Street SW
  (202) 645-4546
• H Street Service Center
  645 H Street NE
  (202) 698-4350
• [Closed] Fort Davis Service Center
  3851 Alabama Avenue SE
  (202) 645-4500
• [Closed] Taylor Street Service Center
  1207 Taylor Street NW
  (202) 576-8000

Smartphone: Download the District Direct app in the app store. Apply through your phone. Write down your confirmation number.

Online: Apply online through https://districtdirect.dc.gov/ua/. Write down your confirmation number. Save a copy of what you submit.

Mail: Get the application at https://dhs.dc.gov/page/apply-recertifybenefits. Send in the application and copies of your documents to a Service Center (listed to the left). Keep proof that you mailed in your application. Not recommended

Fax: Fax the completed application to DHS ESA at (202) 671-4400.

How do I apply for disability benefits like SSI and SSDI?

Step 1: Get the documents you need. Don’t send the originals! Take a picture or make a copy.

Step 2: Apply. You can apply for disability benefits, including SSI and SSDI, in the following ways:

Phone: Call to make an appointment to file for disability benefits over the phone. You can call:

• The national SSI number: 1-800-772- 1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778); or
• Your local office. You can find their number at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.

Online: Apply online through https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/#anchor6. Write down your confirmation number. Save a copy of what you submit.

Mail (not recommended): Get the application at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-16-bk.pdf. Send it to your local Social Security office along with copies of your documents. Keep proof you mailed it in.