DC Department of Human Services (DHS)

The mission of the D.C. Department of Human Services is to empower every District resident to reach their full potential by providing meaningful connections to work opportunities, economic assistance and supportive services.

The Economic Security Administration (ESA) determines eligibility for benefits under the Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medical Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps), Child Care Subsidy, Burial Assistance, Interim Disability Assistance. ESA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T) provide employment and training services to able-bodied adults without dependents who receive food stamps. ESA performs monitoring, quality control, and reporting functions required by federal law and court orders.
(202) 671 - 4200   - DHS Main Office Line

DC Shelter Hotline

Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you see someone outside in need of shelter or a welfare check, call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or dial 311. If there...
Service Category: Temporary Shelter Housing
Service Eligibility: Homeless

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The District’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps) helps individuals and families buy the food they need for good health. Every month SNAP benefits are loa...
Service Category: Food
Service Eligibility: Income-based

Youth Homeless Services / Youth HOPE Program

Youth Homeless Services (YHS) leads the City’s response to youth homelessness via direct grants to community organizations that provide services (housing, street outreach, youth drop-in centers, etc.)...
Service Category: Housing Help Find Housing
Service Eligibility: Homeless Youth (6-12)

Child Care Assistance Program

The subsidized child care program helps income-eligible families pay their child care fees. The child care subsidy is based on an assessment of need, income, and family size.
  • 4049 South Capitol Street SW Washington DC 20032
Service Category: Money Childcare
Service Eligibility: Income-based

Zoe's Doors Drop-in Center

Zoe's Doors is a drop-in center for District youth ages 24 and under experiencing homelessness and housing instability or simply in need of a safe place to go. The center is open 24 hours a day, seven...
  • 900 Rhode Island Ave NE Washington DC 20018
Service Category: Housing Care Skills & Training

Adams Place Day Center

The Day Center addresses the long-standing need in the community of having a safe and dignified place for individuals experiencing homelessness to go during the day to take care of everyday needs and...
  • 2210 Adams Place NE Washington DC 20018
Service Category: Housing Care Skills & Training
Service Eligibility: Homeless Near Homeless

Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP)

HPP supports eligible families (30% of Medium Family Income or below) to prevent episodes of homelessness through case management, mediation, financial assistance (including up to 4 months of rent arr...
711; (202) 526-0017 (Voice)
Service Category: Emergency Help Pay for Housing

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

Functional Family Therapy is an intensive, short term intervention/prevention program that offers in-home family counseling designed specifically to address status-offending behaviors (i.e curfew viol...
Service Category: Care Counseling

Strong Families Program (SFP)

The Strong Families Program (SFP) Division is a prevention/early intervention support program for District of Columbia residents located within the Department of Human Services, Family Services Admini...
  • 64 New York Avenue NE, 6th Floor Washington DC 20002
Service Category: Care Counseling

Interim Disability Assistance (IDA) Program

Who is Eligible for IDA? A person eligible for Interim Disability Assistance must be: Between the ages of 18 and 64 Ineligible for TANF because no eligible child lives in the home Permanently and to...
  • 645 H Street NE Washington DC 20002
Service Category: Money Disability Benefits
Service Eligibility: Living with a Disability Disability
DHS Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Center - Anacostia
2100 Martin Luther King Avenue SE Washington DC 20020
DHS Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Centers - Taylor Street
1207 Taylor Street NW Washington DC 20011
DHS Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Centers - H Street
645 H Street NE Washington DC 20002
Adams Place Day Center
2210 Adams Place NE Washington DC 20018
DHS Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Centers - Fort Davis
3851 Alabama Ave SE Washington DC 20020
DHS Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Centers - Congress Heights
4049 South Capitol Street SW Washington DC 20032
Zoe's Doors
900 Rhode Island Ave NE Washington DC 20018
Homeless Services Program Office
64 New York Avenue NE, 5th Floor Washington DC 20002
DHS Main Office
64 New York Avenue NE, 6th Floor Washington DC 20002