Divorce or separation
What to do first
- Check whose health plan covers you and your children, and what changes.
- Ask your state's child support office for help setting up support.
- If your income dropped, apply for food benefits, Medicaid or cash help.
- If you change your name, update it with Social Security first, then your ID.
- Get free legal help before you sign an agreement.
Talk it through
Tell us more about what happened. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.
Dates that matter
These windows are set by federal rules. Your state may have its own dates too, so ask the agency.
60 days
Health coverage
If the divorce or separation means you lose your health plan, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan. You have 60 days.
Source: HealthCare.gov60 days
Keeping a spouse on a job's plan (COBRA)
To keep COBRA for a spouse after a divorce or legal separation, the plan must be told. Plans set the deadline, but it can be no shorter than 60 days, so tell the plan within 60 days.
Source: DOL.gov
Help from the District of Columbia
District of Columbia programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Office of the Attorney General
Child Support Services
CSSD helps establish parentage and child support orders and collect payments for children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Department of Health Care Finance
District of Columbia Medicaid
DC Medicaid pays for health care for eligible residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Department of Health Care Finance
Children's Health Insurance Program
In District of Columbia, CHIP is called DC Healthy Families.
DC Healthy Families provides health coverage to eligible children and families.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority
DC Health Link
In District of Columbia, the health insurance marketplace is called DC Health Link.
DC Health Link lets residents compare and enroll in private health insurance plans.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible residents buy food each month.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Department of Human Services
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides cash assistance and support services to eligible families with children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Child Care Subsidy Program
The child care subsidy helps eligible families pay for care at participating providers.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Department of Human Services
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
ERAP helps eligible residents with rent arrears or costs for a security deposit and first month's rent.
Ways to apply:Phone
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help
These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.
SSA.gov
A new name on your Social Security card
A new Social Security card with your new name is free. Change it with Social Security before you change your driver license or ID.
SSA.gov
Benefits from a former spouse
If you were married 10 years or longer, you may get Social Security on your former spouse's work record later on.
LSC.gov
Free legal help
Legal aid offices give free legal help to people with low income. Find the one that serves you with the Legal Services Corporation's search.
Checked on October 9, 2026
Help near you
Find county and state offices near you, or call 211 to talk to someone about help in your area.
Talk to a person
- Answers, Please
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988