Public Benefits

Federal Programs 

• 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 (non-cash) emergency disaster relief

“Qualified” Immigrants

• 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)

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 (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 ? (same thing)
• 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? (e. parent? spouse?)
• Are the papers still in process with the immigration authorities?

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?

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).

Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

First come, first serve at the intake locations during hours listed. Call 202-628-1161 with any questions. Fax: 202-727-2132 

• NW Site/Main Office: 1331 H St. NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005
  Site Hours: Monday 12:30pm-6pm, Thursday 12:30pm-4pm 
• SE Site: 2041 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20020
  Site Hours: Monday & Thursday 10:00am-1:30pm 

Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP) of the District of Columbia

Go in person to any intake location below or call during intake hours at 202-832-6577 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

• NW Site: 680 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20002
• NE Site: 4609 Polk St. NE, Washington, DC 20019
• SE Site: 2811 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20020

Catholic Charities 

924 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20004 
Phone: 202-350-4305 or 202-772-4325 (Spanish) 

Intake hours: 
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: 9:30am-12pm, 2pm-4:30pm 
Wednesday and Thursday: 9:30am-12pm, 2pm-7:30pm 

DC Bar Pro Bono Advice and Referral Clinic

This is a free legal advice clinic on the second Saturday of every month from 10am-12pm. There are lawyers who can give you advice on your case, but they probably will not be able to represent you. To register, call: 202-737-4700, ext. 3292. More information. The clinic is held at two locations: 

• Bread for the City – Northwest Center: 1525 7th Street NW
  To arrive by Metro take the Green Line to Shaw-Howard University Metro Station.
• Bread for the City – Southeast Center: 1640 Good Hope Road SE
  To arrive by Metro take the Green Line to the Anacostia Metro Station.