D.C. Financial Help
District of Columbia – Financial Help, Food & Basic Needs
This page lists key District of Columbia programs and nonprofits that help with emergency cash assistance, rental and utility support, food, and basic needs. These resources may support stability while you are on probation, parole, or pretrial release. Financial help is not the same as paying court-ordered fines, costs, or restitution — always follow your court paperwork and officer’s instructions for those.
District Government Programs & Emergency Help
Coverage: District-wide
✅ Verified DC Government Financial Assistance
DC Department of Human Services (DHS) – TANF & SNAP
DHS manages cash assistance (TANF), food assistance (SNAP), and related benefits for eligible DC residents with low income or caring for children.
DHS manages cash assistance (TANF), food assistance (SNAP), and related benefits for eligible DC residents with low income or caring for children.
dhs.dc.gov
Apply online through DC’s benefits portal and keep copies of award letters for your records.
Apply online through DC’s benefits portal and keep copies of award letters for your records.
District-wide
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
DC’s ERAP helps eligible residents pay overdue rent, late fees, and related housing costs to prevent eviction or homelessness.
DC’s ERAP helps eligible residents pay overdue rent, late fees, and related housing costs to prevent eviction or homelessness.
ERAP – DHS
Check current application periods and bring any court notices or lease documents to your appointment.
Check current application periods and bring any court notices or lease documents to your appointment.
District-wide
District Utility Discount Programs (UDP)
Income-eligible residents may qualify for reduced rates on electric, gas, and water bills through DC’s utility discount programs.
Income-eligible residents may qualify for reduced rates on electric, gas, and water bills through DC’s utility discount programs.
Utility Assistance – DHS
Contact the program or your utility provider to confirm which documents are required.
Contact the program or your utility provider to confirm which documents are required.
District-wide
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps eligible households pay for home energy bills, including heating and cooling, to prevent disconnection or unsafe living conditions.
Helps eligible households pay for home energy bills, including heating and cooling, to prevent disconnection or unsafe living conditions.
Energy Assistance – DHS
Ask how to get proof of assistance if your officer or landlord needs documentation.
Ask how to get proof of assistance if your officer or landlord needs documentation.
District-wide
🛠️ Eligible Navigation & Application Support
Nonprofit Benefits Navigators (Multiple Agencies)
Several DC nonprofits offer case managers who help people apply for TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefits, especially for those facing homelessness or reentry.
Several DC nonprofits offer case managers who help people apply for TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefits, especially for those facing homelessness or reentry.
Ask your shelter, reentry program, or community organization if they provide this support or can refer you.
District-wide
Rental, Utility & Housing Stability Help
Coverage: District-wide and key neighborhoods
✅ Verified Rental & Housing Stability Providers
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington – Emergency Assistance
Offers limited financial help for rent, utilities, and other basic needs to eligible households, depending on funding and availability.
Offers limited financial help for rent, utilities, and other basic needs to eligible households, depending on funding and availability.
District-wide
Salvation Army – National Capital Area Command
Provides emergency financial assistance, including help with rent or utilities, when funding is available, along with other support services.
Provides emergency financial assistance, including help with rent or utilities, when funding is available, along with other support services.
salvationarmynca.org
Programs change based on funding; always confirm current offerings and any waitlists.
Programs change based on funding; always confirm current offerings and any waitlists.
DC & region
United Planning Organization (UPO)
Community action agency offering housing stabilization, utility assistance, and supportive services for low-income residents.
Community action agency offering housing stabilization, utility assistance, and supportive services for low-income residents.
District-wide
🛠️ Eligible Eviction Defense & Tenant Support
Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia – Housing Law
Provides legal help to qualifying tenants facing eviction, unsafe housing conditions, or other landlord-tenant issues in DC.
Provides legal help to qualifying tenants facing eviction, unsafe housing conditions, or other landlord-tenant issues in DC.
legalaiddc.org
Legal assistance can help protect your housing while you work on probation requirements.
Legal assistance can help protect your housing while you work on probation requirements.
District-wide
Tenant Advocacy Hotlines (Various Organizations)
Several DC groups operate hotlines that help tenants understand their rights and options when facing rent increases, nonpayment, or code issues.
Several DC groups operate hotlines that help tenants understand their rights and options when facing rent increases, nonpayment, or code issues.
Ask your community organization or legal clinic which tenant hotline serves your ward.
District-wide
Food, Clothing & Basic Needs
Coverage: District-wide networks and neighborhood hubs
✅ Verified Major Food Banks & Basic-Needs Hubs
Capital Area Food Bank
Regional food bank supplying pantries and community partners across DC with free groceries and meals for individuals and families.
Regional food bank supplying pantries and community partners across DC with free groceries and meals for individuals and families.
capitalareafoodbank.org
Use their locator to find nearby pantry sites and distributions by ZIP code.
Use their locator to find nearby pantry sites and distributions by ZIP code.
DC & region
Bread for the City
Provides food pantries, clothing, medical care, and social services at multiple DC locations, serving residents with low income.
Provides food pantries, clothing, medical care, and social services at multiple DC locations, serving residents with low income.
District-wide
Martha’s Table
Offers free groceries, meals, clothing, and family support through community markets and neighborhood hubs in DC.
Offers free groceries, meals, clothing, and family support through community markets and neighborhood hubs in DC.
District-wide
SOME (So Others Might Eat)
Nonprofit that provides meals, clothing, showers, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness or deep poverty in DC.
Nonprofit that provides meals, clothing, showers, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness or deep poverty in DC.
District-wide
🛠️ Eligible Neighborhood Pantries & Mutual Aid
Neighborhood Food Pantries & Mutual Aid Groups
Many churches, community centers, and mutual aid networks in DC operate small food pantries, fridges, and clothing closets.
Many churches, community centers, and mutual aid networks in DC operate small food pantries, fridges, and clothing closets.
Search by ward or ZIP code, and confirm schedule and ID requirements before you go.
Neighborhood-based
Reentry-Friendly Financial & Workforce Support
Coverage: District-wide and justice-involved residents
✅ Verified Reentry & Employment-Focused Programs
CSOSA & DC Reentry Resource Connections
The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and partner programs connect returning citizens with employment, training, and supportive services that can improve financial stability.
The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and partner programs connect returning citizens with employment, training, and supportive services that can improve financial stability.
csosa.gov
Ask your supervision officer or case manager about available reentry financial and job programs.
Ask your supervision officer or case manager about available reentry financial and job programs.
District-wide
Community Reentry Organizations (Multiple)
Several DC-based nonprofits focus on returning citizens, offering case management, job readiness, limited financial help, and referrals to basic-needs resources.
Several DC-based nonprofits focus on returning citizens, offering case management, job readiness, limited financial help, and referrals to basic-needs resources.
Ask directly whether they can provide letters or documentation to show participation to your officer or court.
District-wide
🛠️ Eligible Budgeting, Credit & Money Management Help
Nonprofit Financial Coaching & Literacy Programs
Some community organizations offer free classes or one-on-one coaching on budgeting, banking, and credit. These can support stability but usually do not replace court-ordered programs.
Some community organizations offer free classes or one-on-one coaching on budgeting, banking, and credit. These can support stability but usually do not replace court-ordered programs.
Bring workshop flyers or completion notes to your supervision officer if you want them noted in your file.
District-wide
Important: Financial help programs are limited and often first-come, first-served. OACRA cannot guarantee funding, approval, or availability from any provider listed here.
Court money obligations: Fines, fees, supervision costs, and restitution are usually paid directly to the clerk of court or probation office. Ask your supervising officer or attorney where and how to make payments and whether any payment plan is available.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA does not provide legal advice, financial counseling, or direct assistance. This directory is informational only and does not guarantee legal, financial, or housing outcomes.
