Modifications to Public Benefits Programs

SNAP Benefits Reducing in March 2023: Federal Pandemic-Related Emergency Allotments are Ending

Effective March 2023, customers receiving SNAP will no longer receive SNAP Emergency Allotments. February 2023 will be the last month Emergency Allotments are issued to SNAP households.

Why are SNAP Emergency Allotments ending in the District?

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, became law, marking the end of SNAP Emergency Allotments in February 2023. This means February 2023 is the last month Emergency Allotments will be issued to District SNAP households. March 2023 will be the first month since 2021 that benefits will be reduced back to regular eligibility levels.

What if I need additional food resources?

If you are not already receiving the maximum SNAP benefit, review the SNAP Deductions flyer (English, Spanish, Amharic) to see if you might be able to increase your monthly SNAP benefits based on your monthly expenses.

Additional resources:

You can check out the DC Federal Nutrition Program Toolkit to learn more about different food programs in the District.

DC Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

DC WIC provides food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and more to pregnant women, new moms, infants & children under the age of five years. Children under the age of five may also be eligible if their caregivers are fathers, grandparents, or foster parents. You can call 202-442-9397 or visit dcwic.org for more information.

SNAP Deductions

SNAP Deductions are monthly expenses that can be subtracted from your income that is used to calculate your SNAP benefit. If you are not already receiving the maximum SNAP benefit, review the SNAP Deductions flyer to see if you might be able to increase your monthly SNAP benefits based on your monthly expenses.

English | (Español) Spanish | (አማርኛ) Amharic

Emergency Allotment

English | (Español) Spanish | (አማርኛ) Amharic

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Cash Assistance Programs

Interviews:
waived through July 2022; if DHS needs additional information, DHS will call or send a notice
Recertification:
- SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy People (TANF), Program on Work Employment and Responsibility (POWER), and General Assistance for Children (GAC):
  - Customers who have not had their certification period extended by 6 months in the past will be extended by 6 months if their recertification is due in the months of April, May, June, or July 2022.
- - All other customers will be required to complete a streamlined recertification process if their certification period expires in April, May, June, or July 2022. Notices will be mailed with a streamlined recertification form when customers are due to complete the recertification process. Customers can also access the form here.
  - Customers due to recertify through March 2022 have had their recertifications waived and the certification period extended by 6-months from the original recertification date.
- Interim Disability Assistance (IDA) will be required to complete a streamlined recertification process if their certification period expires in April, May, June, or July 2022. Notices will be mailed with a streamlined recertification form when customers are due to complete the recertification process. Customers can also access the form here.

SNAP Mid-Certifications and Interim Contacts

Mid-Certifications: customers due to complete a mid-certification in April 2022 or after will be required to complete this action. Notices and a mid-certification form will be mailed to customers when they are due to complete their mid-certification. Customers can also access the form here. Customers that were due to complete a mid-certification in March 2022 have had their mid-certifications waived.
Interim Contacts: customers due to complete an interim contract in April 2022 or after will be required to complete this action by calling the ESA Public Benefits Call Center at (202) 727-5355 from 7:30 am - 4:45 pm, Monday – Friday; TTY 711. Notices will be mailed to customers when they are due to complete their interim contact. Customers that were due to complete an interim contract in March 2022 have had their interim contract waived.

Please remember to ensure your mailing address and phone number are updated with DHS to ensure you receive a notification when it is time to complete your recertification or other required certification action to continue receiving benefits. You can update your information online, via a mobile app, by visiting a local Service Center, or by calling the DHS Public Benefits Call Center at (202) 727-5355 from 7:30 am - 4:45 pm, Monday – Friday; TTY 711.

DC Healthcare Alliance Program (Alliance) and Immigrant Children’s Program (ICP)

Interviews: waived; if DHS needs additional information DHS will call or send a notice
Renewals: customers due to recertify between September 2021 and June 2022 have had their coverage reinstated if previously terminated, and extended as follows:

Original Alliance/ ICP Renewal end date	New Renewal End Date
September 30, 2021	March 31, 2022
October 31, 2021	April 30, 2022
November 30, 2021	May 31, 2022
December 31, 2021	June 30, 2022
January 31, 2022	July 31, 2022
February 28, 2022	August 2022
March 31, 2022	September 2022
April 30, 2022	October 2022
May 31, 2022	November 2022
June 30, 2022	December 2022