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District of Columbia

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 3, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in the District of Columbia, we recommend that you visit D.C.'s COVID-19 Recovery Resources or Food Resources.

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Description of Program and Relief

Guidance on Medical Coverage through Medicaid, DC Healthcare Alliance, and Immigrant Children’s Program

The District of Columbia Department of Human Services offers medical coverage to income-eligible residents through Medicaid, the DC Healthcare Alliance (“Alliance”), and DC Healthy Families programs.  Newly unemployed individuals who are also newly uninsured may be eligible for some of the District’s free health coverage programs.

To improve public understanding about eligibility for and the application process for the public health coverage programs that the Department of Health Care Finance (“DHCF”) offers, DHCF has created a simple one-page document that outlines general eligibility and income requirements for Medicaid, DC Healthcare Alliance, and the Immigrant Children’s Program (“ICP”), and provides information about how to apply during the public health emergency. The eligibility brochure can be found here.

As part of the response to the public health emergency DHCF is extending eligibility to ensure continued access to coverage during the emergency for individuals due to renew their Medicaid, Alliance, or ICP coverage after March, 2020 through the end of the Public Health Emergency. In addition, Medicaid, Alliance, and ICP beneficiaries may receive some health care services via telemedicine in their home. Click here for more details.

Government or Lead Agency

Department of Human Services; Department of Health Care Finance

Dates Available

Available now

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

The eligibility brochure can be found here, and additional eligibility information can be found here, and here.

Medicaid is available to low-income District residents that are U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants and meet other financial and non-financial eligibility requirements.

The DC Healthcare Alliance is available to low-income District residents who are twenty-one and older, do not have other health insurance, and are ineligible for Medicaid, regardless of citizenship status.

The Immigrant Children’s Program is available to low-income District residents who are under twenty-one years of age, and are not eligible for Medicaid.

District residents who experience a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency should consider applying for these programs for assistance during and beyond the emergency period.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

Call the DC Health Link Customer Service at (855) 532-5465 or visit here.

List of Additional Information

More information is available here, here, and here.

For answers to FAQs for Medicaid beneficiaries, in the context of COVID-19, please click here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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