Health Care Access

Access to Public Benefits in DC

Before enrolling in any local or federal public benefits programs, individuals who are uncertain about the impact enrollment will have on their ability to become Legal Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card holders) or Naturalized Citizens should consult with an immigration attorney before proceeding.

Links to Sections

Government Programs

Two types of government-funded public benefits programs: D.C.-specific programs and federal programs. Few immigrants qualify for federal public benefits, though there are exceptions which are outlined below. All immigrants are eligible for emergency Medicaid.

DC Specific Programs

Immigrant Children's Program

D.C. funded Medicaid managed care provider (MCO) for children who are only ineligible for Medicaid as a result of their immigration status

Learn More

Healthcare Alliance

MCO with no citizenship eligibility requirement. Adult immigrant residents of D.C. who do not qualify for Medicaid receive health coverage through the Alliance. Alliance does not include mental health supports, substance abuse counseling, and has limited medical providers. Requires in-person interview)

Learn More

Federal Programs

This PDF from the National Immigration Law Center explains which immigrants are eligible for which federal programs. It divides immigrants in to three categories: “qualified” immigrants who entered the US before 8/22/1996, “qualified” immigrants who entered the US on or after 8/22/1996, and “not-qualified” immigrants.

Supplemental Social Security income (SSI)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Emergency Medicaid (ALL ARE ELIGIBLE, includes labor and delivery, testing and treatment for symptoms of communicable diseases, immunizations, short-term emergency disaster relief

Full-Scope Medicaid
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
HUD Public Housing and Section 8 Programs
Title XX Block Grants
Social Security
Other Federal Public Benefits Subject to Welfare Law’s Restrictions

“Qualified” Immigrants (comprehensive list):

- Lawful permanent residents (LPR/”green card” holders)
- Asylees
- Refugees
- Persons granted withholding of deportation/removal
- Persons paroled in to U.S. for at least 1 year
- Conditional entrants
- Cuban or Hatian entrants
- Certain abused immigrants, their children, and/or their parents (U-visas)
- Certain victims of trafficking (T-visas)

“Not-Qualified” Immigrants:

Undocumented
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
All other immigrants/all those who do not fall in to one of the “qualified” immigrant groups

Questions to Determine Immigration Status

Entry into the U.S.

Did you come to the U.S. by illegally crossing the border at some place other than a U.S. checkpoint?

Visa

Did you come to the U.S. on some type of visa?
What kind of visa (i.e. student, tourist, employment)
Is your visa still current or is it expired?
Are you getting a U-visa because you were a crime victim? Is someone assisting you?

Legal Permanent Resident/Greencard

Are you a legal permanent resident? Do you have a greencard ?
If not, have you or any of your relatives ever filed family visa petitions for you to get a greencard?
If so, when were they filed?
Who filed these petitions? (I.e. parent? spouse?)

Work Permit

(A work permit will say “Employment Authorization” on it.) There are many different types of status that let you apply for a work permit. If you can make a legible copy of the card, the “(c)-code” information on it can pinpoint the type of status or application it is linked to. WDAIP can help with that.

Were you given a work permit?
Do you know why it was granted?

Marriage

Marriage per se does not confer any lawful immigration status on a noncitizen spouse. Where the noncitizen marries a US citizen or LPR, this entitles the noncitizen to begin the process of applying for lawful status based upon a valid marriage.

Are you married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident?

Refugee or Asylee

Did you come to the U.S. after having been given refugee status/visa? (Refugee visas are granted outside the US and people then enter legally; a refugee visa is often stamped or noted on an “I-94” entry document.)
Have you ever applied for asylum since you arrived in the U.S.? (Political asylum is granted to people who are inside the US when they apply.)

Was your application granted?
If so, when
If so, are you still in asylee or refugee status or did you apply for your greencard? (Refugees must, and asylees can apply for a greencard, after one year.)
If not granted, is your application still pending?
If your application was denied, have you had a hearing with an immigration judge?

DACA

(Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

DACA is a type of non-statutory, temporary administrative status created in 2012, after the Dream Act and immigration reform law failed. It gives temporary status and work authorization to some undocumented people who entered the US before age 16, before 6-15-2007, and who were born on or after 6-15-1981. DACA does not lead to LPR status or give any other immigration status. Felony and some misdemeanor convictions are a bar.

Did you apply for the program for Dreamers/people who came before they were 16?
Did you apply for work authorization?
How old were you when you came to the US? When did you come?

COFA

(Compact of Free Association) Resident

Three Pacific island nations have Compacts of Free Association with the United States. COFA citizens may come into, reside in, and work indefinitely in the US, but like permanent residents, they can be deported or excluded for crimes. They are not US nationals. Origin in a COFA country is usually the tip- off to this status, although such a person could have become an LPR or US citizen through normal channels. These countries are (weblink)

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

TPS is a type of temporary status well short of asylum. Eligibility is established by designation by the Secretary of Homeland Security and must be renewed, usually every 18 months. TPS allows work authorization but does not lead to LPR or any other immigration status. The group is designated by country and date of arrival. Countries with groups currently designated for TPS are listed here.

ICE Order of Supervision

(Final Order of Removal/Deportation)

People with final orders of removal (deportation) sometimes cannot be deported because the country of origin will not cooperate or because a travel document cannot be obtained. In such cases ICE will release the person with an Order of Supervision. They usually have to report to ICE, and can apply for work authorization. Some people stay in this status for years or permanently.

Did you ever see the immigration judge? W ere you ordered deported?
Were you told you can’t be deported because your country won’t take you back?
Do you have to report to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)?

Assistance Forms

DC Department of Human Services

To apply or recertify for one or more of the assistance programs, must fill out combined application and either mail or submit application to service center. Interviews required for all programs except Medicaid.

Possible Required Documentation

Income
Recent paystubs; statement showing retirement income, disability income, or Workers Compensation; pension statement; etc.
Assets
Recent bank and checking account statements, etc.
DC Residency
DC driver’s license, lease, rent receipt, written statement from your landlord, utility or telephone bill, etc.
Social Security Number

Social Security card; tax or payroll documents with your SSN on it; DC driver’s license with your SSN on it; etc. (Not required for Food Stamp-only applicants.)
Medical Exam Report / Disability
Recent medical report (or Form 856) and any supporting materials from your doctor.
Immigration Information
Employment Authorization card, I-94, visa, passport, or other documents from the INS.
Rent / Mortgage (SNAP Only)
Lease, rent receipt, cancelled check, mortgage statement, etc.

Utility Bills (SNAP Only)
Recent bills for electric, gas, fuel, phone, water, telephone, etc. (if you pay these separately from your rent).
Relationship (TANF Only)
Birth certificate (full copy) for your child(ren) or official records from a school, court, hospital, etc.
“Living With” (TANF Only)
Statements from two non-relatives or school records.
Note: Also bring your Medicare card or other health insurance card, if you have one.

IN DC, TRANSLATION VIA LANGUAGE LINE MUST BE PROVIDED FOR INTERVEW. PLEASE REFER TO LANGUAGE ACCESS RIGHTS SECTION OF HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Economic Service Centers

DC Department of Human Services

Taylor Street

1207 Taylor St NW

Phone: 202-576-8000
Fax: 202-576-8740

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
7:30 am – 8:00 pm
on Wednesday

H Street

609 H Street NE

Phone: 202-698-4350
Fax: 202-724-8964

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:
7:30 am – 8:00 pm
on Wednesday

Fort Davis

3851 Alabama Ave SE

Phone: 202-645-4500
Fax: 202-645-6205

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:00 & Friday; 7:30 am – 8:00 pm on Wednesday

Anacostia

2100 MLK Jr Ave SE

Phone: 202-645-4614
Fax: 202-727-3527

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
7:30 am – 8:00 pm on Wednesday

Congress Heights

4001 S Capitol St SW

Phone: 202-645-4546
Fax: 202-654-4524

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 7:30 am – 8:00 pm on Wednesday

Applying for Medicaid

DC Medicaid provides health care coverage to adults, children and families who have a low income or a disability. To be eligible, you must be a resident of D.C. and meet certain eligibility requirements. Apply online at DCHealthLink.com or call 1-855-532-5465.