How do I apply for SNAP and TANF cash assistance in Washington, DC?

You can apply for both SNAP and TANF through the DC Department of Human Services. The fastest way is to apply online at dhs.dc.gov using the eStar portal, which allows you to submit applications, upload documents, and check your case status. You can also apply in person at a DHS Service Center or call (202) 671-4200 for help.

Is there emergency rental or utility help available for DC families with children?

Yes. DC DHS administers emergency rental assistance programs that can help families avoid eviction. For utility bills, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available through the DC Energy Office — contact them via dhs.dc.gov or call 2-1-1 to be connected. Because funding is limited and seasonal, applying as early as possible is strongly recommended.

What free healthcare options exist for children in DC who don't have insurance?

Children in DC may qualify for Medicaid or the DC Healthy Families program, which provides comprehensive health coverage at low or no cost based on family income. DC also has the DC HealthCare Alliance, which covers residents who may not qualify for Medicaid. Apply through Access DC at dhs.dc.gov or call (202) 727-5355 for the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority.

Where can a DC parent find mental health or crisis support for their family?

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 — call or text 988 from anywhere in DC for immediate mental health support. For broader mental health and substance use services, the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) operates a 24-hour Access HelpLine at (888) 793-4357 that connects residents to counseling, crisis intervention, and ongoing treatment services.

Child & Family Assistance Resources in District of Columbia

Last updated September 11, 2026

Washington, DC families facing financial hardship, housing instability, or crisis have access to a strong network of federal and locally administered programs. The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) serves as the primary gateway for many of these supports, including cash assistance, food benefits, and emergency services. If you are unsure where to start, calling 2-1-1 — DC's free helpline — connects you with trained specialists who can match you to programs based on your specific situation, available 24 hours a day.

Families with children have several targeted pathways for help. Childcare subsidies, early childhood education through Head Start and Early Head Start programs, nutrition support through WIC and SNAP, and healthcare coverage through Medicaid and the DC HealthCare Alliance are all available to eligible residents. Income and household size determine eligibility for most programs, but some supports — like crisis hotlines and emergency food — are available to anyone in need regardless of income.

DC's compact geography means many services are coordinated across a relatively small number of agencies, which can make navigation easier than in larger states. That said, waitlists exist for some programs, so applying early is important. Social workers and case managers can contact the DC DHS or use the 2-1-1 referral system to help families access multiple programs through a single coordinated process.

Key programs in District of Columbia

DC Department of Human Services (DHS) — Economic Security Administration

Administers SNAP (food stamps), TANF cash assistance, Medicaid enrollment support, and emergency rental assistance for income-eligible DC families and individuals.

How to access: Apply online at dhs.dc.gov or in person at a DHS Service Center. You can also call DHS at (202) 671-4200. The online portal allows applications for multiple programs at once.

2-1-1 District of Columbia

A free, confidential helpline connecting DC residents to local health and human services including food, housing, childcare, utility assistance, mental health support, and more.

How to access: Dial 2-1-1 from any phone, available 24/7. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or visit dc.211.org to search for services online.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) — DC WIC Program

Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and monthly food benefits to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under age 5 who meet income guidelines.

How to access: Contact the DC WIC Program through the DC Department of Health at (202) 442-9397 or visit dchealth.dc.gov to find a local WIC clinic and schedule an eligibility screening.

Child Care Subsidy Program — DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

Helps low- and moderate-income families in DC pay for licensed childcare so parents can work, attend school, or participate in job training. Covers infants through school-age children.

How to access: Apply through OSSE at osse.dc.gov or call (202) 727-0278. Eligibility is based on income and family size. Applications can also be submitted through the DC DHS office.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

WIC Program teaches her how to breastfeed. Once she’s had her baby, WIC provides peer counseling and support as well as breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies. Breastfeeding moms on WIC also receive more food and for a longer time period.

Cameron, Texas(254) 697-4913

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Other resources in District of Columbia

Child & Family Assistance in other states

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