Income Maintenance The mission of the Department of Human Services Income Maintenance Administration (IMA) is to determine the eligibility of applicants and to recertify the eligibility of recipients for federal and District-funded assistance programs, and to help heads of households receiving TANF benefits to become employed and move toward financial independence. IMA determines eligibility for benefits under the Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medical Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps), and Child Care Subsidy, Burial Assistance, Emergency Rental Assistance, and Interim Disability Assistance, Refugee Cash Assistance and  programs. In addition, IMA’s Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FSET) provide employment and training services to able-bodied adults without dependents who receive food stamps. IMA also performs monitoring, quality control and reporting functions required by federal law and court orders. Information regarding IMA policies can be found in the on-line Income Maintenance Administration Policy Manual.  This information constitutes an unofficial version of the District of Columbia Income Maintenance Administration Policy Manual and is provided as a public service by the District of Columbia Department of Human Services, Income Maintenance Administration.  While every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information, the documents that appear on this site may not incorporate the most recent amendments adopted by IMA. IMA provides these documents for informational purposes only.  These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local or federal rules, policies, or procedures. Any unauthorized or improper attempts to modify the contents of the information provided herein are prohibited. The official version of IMA policies may be obtained from the IMA Administrative Office, 645 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 698-3900. IMA’s Administrator provides leadership and policy guidance and directs the overall management and daily operation of the Administration through its deputy administrators and office heads, and seeks to maximize compliance with federal and District of Columbia regulatory requirements and court orders. The Office of the Administrator oversees four divisions: The Division of Program Operations delivers services through six Decentralized Service Centers located in low-income neighborhoods throughout the city. Its staff accepts applications and determines or re-certifies the eligibility of low-income DC families and individuals for social service assistance, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), General Public Assistance for Children (GPA), Interim Disability Assistance (IDA), Medicaid, Alliance, Food Stamps, Refugee Services, and Burial Assistance. The Food Stamp Employment and Training Program, which helps find employment for Food Stamp recipients who do not have dependents, and the Office of Work Opportunities, which helps heads of households applying for TANF seek jobs while their applications are under review, are also part of this division. The Division of Program Development and Training provides expert guidance regarding federal and local laws and regulations and compliance with court orders. Its staff develops and documents policy to guide the determination of eligibility, and ensure that Income Maintenance staff acquire and maintain the knowledge and skills required to deliver services according to established policies and procedures. The Division of Monitoring and Quality Assurance monitors IMA’s compliance with federal and local laws and regulations, and court orders addressing the accurate and timely determination of eligibility and administration of benefits. The division coordinates an annual “Food Stamp Payment Accuracy” conference for IMA staff to meet federal requirements for continued training and review of errors in the determination of eligibility for food stamps. The Division of Information Systems plans, develops, oversees and supports the Automated Client Eligibility Determination System (ACEDS) and the TANF Information System. It serves as liaison with federal and local agencies in managing and reporting data on the administration of customer benefits and documentation of the accuracy and timeliness of benefit determination and issuance.