All places in the District of Columbia
Washington
Ask about Washington
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Washington and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Washington
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
DC Department of Human Services
64 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for or manage SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and cash assistance.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.dc.gov
Human services · City office
DC Department of Human Services Service Centers
Help here
- In-person benefits helpGet help applying for or managing food, medical, and cash benefits at a neighborhood service center.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.dc.gov
Public health · County office
DC Health
2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
Help here
- WICWIC helps eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five with food and nutrition support.Apply onlineRead more
- Health information and servicesFind District health services, clinics, and public health information.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dchealth.dc.gov
Mental health and recovery · City office
DC Department of Behavioral Health
64 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dbh.dc.gov
Housing authority · City office
DC Department of Housing and Community Development
1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
Help here
- Housing assistance informationGet information about District housing programs and resources for renters and homeowners.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dhcd.dc.gov
Housing authority · City office
District of Columbia Housing Authority
1133 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
- Public housing and rental assistanceAsk about public housing, housing vouchers, and other rental assistance programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dchousing.org
Courts and legal help · City office
DC Office of the Tenant Advocate
2000 14th Street NW, Suite 300N, Washington, DC 20009
Help here
- Tenant information and helpGet information about tenant rights and help with housing problems.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ota.dc.gov
Older adults · City office
DC Department of Aging and Community Living
500 K Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dacl.dc.gov
Local office · City office
DC Department on Disability Services
250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Help here
- Disability supports and vocational rehabilitationGet help finding disability supports, community services, or vocational rehabilitation.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dds.dc.gov
Veterans · City office
DC Office of Veterans Affairs
441 4th Street NW, Suite 707 North, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Veterans assistanceGet help finding District services and resources for veterans and their families.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ova.dc.gov
Courts and legal help · City office
DC Office of Human Rights
441 4th Street NW, Suite 570 North, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Discrimination complaintsFile a complaint if you believe you were discriminated against in housing, work, school, or public services.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ohr.dc.gov
Immigrant services · City office
Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs
2000 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009
Help here
- Community services and referralsGet information, referrals, and help connecting with District services for the Latino community.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ola.dc.gov
Immigrant services · City office
Mayor’s Office on African Affairs
2000 14th Street NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20009
Help here
- Community services and referralsGet information, referrals, and help connecting with District services for African residents and immigrants.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaa.dc.gov
Immigrant services · City office
Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
441 4th Street NW, Suite 721 North, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Community services and referralsGet information, referrals, and help connecting with District services for Asian and Pacific Islander residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on apia.dc.gov
Human services · City office
DC Child and Family Services Agency
200 I Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Help here
- Child and family supportGet help when a child may be unsafe or a family needs child welfare support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cfsa.dc.gov
Child support · City office
Child Support Services Division
400 6th Street NW, Suite 8300, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help setting up, changing, or collecting child support payments.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cssd.dc.gov
Jobs and training · City office
DC Department of Employment Services
4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20019
Help here
- Job and workforce servicesGet help finding work, training for a job, or accessing unemployment services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on does.dc.gov
Jobs and training · City office
DC American Job Centers
Help here
- Job search and trainingGet in-person help with job searches, career training, and employment services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on does.dc.gov
Utilities · City office
DC Department of Energy and Environment
1200 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
- Utility bill assistanceFind help paying energy and water bills and learn about utility discounts for eligible residents.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on doee.dc.gov
Library · City office
DC Public Library
901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow books and media, use computers, and join library programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dclibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
DC Department of Parks and Recreation
1275 First Street NE, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind recreation programs and ask about reduced fees or other help with participation costs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dpr.dc.gov
Local office · City office
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street SE, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20003
Help here
- Transportation servicesGet information about transportation programs and request help with local street and sidewalk issues.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ddot.dc.gov
Local office · City office
DC Department of Motor Vehicles
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit a DMV service center for driver licenses, identification cards, and vehicle services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.dc.gov
Local office · City office
DC 311
Help here
- City service requestsCall or go online to request city services such as trash pickup, pothole repair, and street help.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on 311.dc.gov
Human services · City office
Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services
Help here
- Neighborhood assistanceContact the office for help connecting with District agencies about neighborhood concerns.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on communityaffairs.dc.gov
Human services · Regional office
DC 211 Warmline
200 I Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Help here
- Social service referralsCall 211 for referrals to food, shelter, financial, health, and family support services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on 211warmline.dc.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Offices for all of District of Columbia
Washington is in District of Columbia. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Department of Human Services Service Centers
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for or manage food, medical, and cash assistance at a District service center.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.dc.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Department of Behavioral Health
35 K Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Help here
- Same-day behavioral health careWalk in for behavioral health assessment, counseling, psychiatric evaluation, or medication management.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dbh.dc.gov
Emergency help · County office
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
2720 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20032
Help here
- Emergency alerts and preparednessGet emergency alerts and information to help prepare for and respond to local hazards.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hsema.dc.gov
Library · County office
DC Public Library
901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books, use public computers, and find learning and accessibility services through the library system.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dclibrary.org
Courts and legal help · Regional office
DC Courts Family Court Self-Help Center
500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room JM-570, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Family court self-helpGet general information and help with forms for family court matters such as custody, divorce, and child support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dccourts.gov
Courts and legal help · Regional office
DC Courts Superior Court Library
500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 6735, Washington, DC 20001
Help here
- Legal research libraryUse public legal research materials and ask librarians for basic help finding legal sources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dccourts.gov
the District of Columbia programs by kind of help
These are run by the District of Columbia and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- DC 211 Warmline
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 202-463-6211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988