At the DC Department of Human Services, workforce programs help residents stay connected to the benefits they rely on, but they also do so much more. As new federal SNAP work requirements under H.R. 1 take effect, our teams are focused on helping residents not just meet those requirements but build real economic mobility: the skills, credentials, and confidence to grow their incomes and create lasting stability for themselves and their families.
Workforce development also sits at a critical point in the District’s continuum of care, building on the stability created through homelessness prevention, shelter, and case management, and often making the difference in whether housing sticks. DHS is dedicated to meeting residents where they are, with the tools and support they need not just to stay eligible, but to thrive.
SNAP Employment & Training
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) Program helps SNAP recipients advance toward their career goals through job training, education, and placement services tailored to individual needs.
Participation is voluntary, and eligible costs such as transportation and childcare are reimbursed. The program also offers a pathway for meeting new SNAP work requirements, including through our new SNAP Volunteer Program.
TANF Employment and Education Program
The TANF Employment and Education Program (TEP) provides coaching to help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients work toward their education and employment goals. In addition to career-focused support, coaches work with parents on goals related to their children and families.
Peer Case Management Institute
The Peer Case Management Institute (PCMI) is a partnership between the DC Department of Human Services, the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, Pathways to Housing DC, and Howard University’s School of Social Work.
The program trains District residents with lived experience of homelessness to become certified case managers, combining classroom instruction with field training in skills such as motivational interviewing and conflict de-escalation. Graduates are prepared for employment within the homeless services system, building sustainable career pathways while strengthening the District's case management workforce.
Additional Resources and Opportunities
For residents seeking further support with employment, education, or training, the following resources are also available:
CLIFF Portal
Because an increase in earnings can sometimes cause a sudden and often unexpected decrease in public benefits, proper planning is key when growing your career. DC residents receiving public benefits like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid can use the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s CLIFF Portal to:
- Understand the potential short-term financial impact of a new job or income change.
- Explore the potential financial returns of different careers.
- Create a detailed budget in support of a career move.
Work Opportunities
- Department of Employment Services (DOES) — DC's lead workforce agency, offering job placement, training, unemployment services, and support for job seekers and employers.
- American Job Center — In-person and virtual workshops, career coaching, and resources to help residents prepare for and re-enter the workforce.
- Department on Disability Services (DDS) — Job placement, vocational rehabilitation, and employment initiatives supporting District residents with disabilities.
- The READY Center — A one-stop hub for returning citizens offering education and employment services, vocational training, and job placement support, alongside broader reentry resources.
- Talent Capital — A regional workforce hub backed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, connecting jobseekers across DC, Maryland, and Virginia to jobs, free training, and coaching.
- DC Networks — The District's online employment platform for job search, career resources, and labor market information.
Education & Training
- Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) College Resources — Guidance and resources to support college and career readiness.
- University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning — Career pathway courses in high-demand fields such as healthcare, IT, construction, and early childhood education, offered at little to no cost for DC residents.
- DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) — Tuition-free training programs preparing District residents for careers in infrastructure-related fields.
- DC Housing Authority Workforce Development Initiative — Employment opportunities, occupational credentialing, and job readiness support for DCHA residents through the EnVision Center.
- Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Workforce Development — Career planning, job readiness training, and the VOLT Academy vocational program for DYRS youth and all DC residents aged 18 or older.