District of Columbia WIC
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under 5.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
District of Columbia
29 resources in District of Columbia, plus programs open to everyone.
In District of Columbia
Start here: benefits and programs
DC Health Link / DC Medicaid
- Health care
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
DC's health insurance marketplace. Enroll in Medicaid or a subsidized plan based on household income.
Who it's for: DC residents; Medicaid is income-based, and subsidies lower plan costs.
DC Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
The District agency for SNAP food benefits, TANF cash assistance, and emergency help. Applications are free.
Who it's for: Income and residency rules apply.
DOEE Utility Assistance Programs
- Utilities
- Free
- Online or statewide
DC Department of Energy & Environment programs that help pay utility bills, including LIHEAP energy assistance.
Who it's for: Income-eligible DC residents.
Local help and services
Bread for the City
- Food
- Free
Food and clothing, a medical clinic, and legal and social services under one roof.
Who it's for: DC residents with low income; some services need proof of DC residency.
- Northwest Center 1525 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Directions
- Southeast Center 1700 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020 Directions
Capital Area Food Bank
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Regional food bank that supplies a network of partner pantries and meal programs across DC. Use its site to find a pantry near you.
Who it's for: Varies by partner pantry; many require no proof of income.
DC Central Kitchen
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Prepared meals for the community plus a culinary job-training program.
Martha's Table
- Food
- Free
Free groceries and meals, plus family support and education programs for children and parents.
- Martha's Table Market at The Commons 2375 Elvans Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020 Directions
- Martha's Table Market at The Maycroft 1474 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC Directions
- Martha's Outfitters 2204 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020 Directions
Miriam's Kitchen
- Food
- Free
Meals and case management aimed at ending chronic homelessness in DC.
- 2401 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037 Directions
Community of Hope
- Health care
- Sliding scale
Health care, family housing support and services for families and individuals facing poverty.
- Conway Health and Resource Center 4 Atlantic St SW, Washington, DC 20032 Directions
- Family Health and Birth Center 2120 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC Directions
- The Commons at Stanton Square 2375 Elvans Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020 Directions
- Marie Reed Health Center 2155 Champlain St NW, Washington, DC Directions
Unity Health Care
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Network of community health centers offering primary, dental and behavioral health care with fees based on income.
Who it's for: Open to everyone; fees adjust to income and family size.
Whitman-Walker Health
- Health care
- Sliding scale
Primary care, LGBTQ+-affirming care, HIV services and legal help, with sliding-scale fees.
Who it's for: Open to everyone; sliding scale available.
- Whitman-Walker at 1525 1525 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 Directions
- Whitman-Walker at LIZ 1377 R St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Directions
- Max Robinson Center 1201 Sycamore Dr SE, Washington, DC 20032 Directions
District of Columbia Primary Care Association
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Association of District of Columbia's community health centers, which charge based on income. Find a center near you.
Who it's for: Open to everyone; fees adjust to income.
So Others Might Eat (SOME)
- Housing
- Free
Meals, affordable and supportive housing, job training, and a health clinic for people experiencing homelessness or poverty.
- SOME main center 71 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Directions
LawHelp.org: District of Columbia
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free legal information, self-help guides and links to free legal aid providers in District of Columbia.
Who it's for: Anyone can read the guides; legal aid providers set their own income limits.
Legal Aid DC
- Legal help
- Free
Civil legal help with housing, public benefits, family and consumer issues for DC residents.
Who it's for: Income-eligible DC residents.
- Main office 1331 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005 Directions
- Anacostia office 1911 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC Directions
Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP)
- Legal help
- Free
Free civil legal services for low-income DC residents, including housing, benefits and family matters.
Who it's for: Income-eligible DC residents.
- Headquarters 64 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 Directions
- Far Northeast office 4609 Polk St NE, Washington, DC 20019 Directions
DC Public Library
- Education
- Free
Free internet, computers, job search help, classes and programs at neighborhood branches.
Who it's for: Free library card for DC residents; many programs are open to all.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (Central Library) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Directions
Libraries, parks and things to do
DC Department of Parks and Recreation
- Things to do
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Recreation centers, pools, parks and classes across DC. Many programs are free or low-cost.
Who it's for: Open to DC residents; fees vary by program.
Library of Congress
- Things to do
- Free
Free tours and exhibits in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Free timed-entry tickets are required, so reserve ahead or check for same-day tickets.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Thomas Jefferson Building 10 First St SE, Washington, DC 20540 Directions
National Gallery of Art
- Things to do
- Free
Free art museum on the National Mall with paintings, sculpture, and free talks and tours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- West Building 6th St and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565 Directions
National Mall and Memorial Parks
- Things to do
- Free
Free access to the monuments and memorials on the National Mall, such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Lincoln Memorial 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20037 Directions
- Washington Monument 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024 Directions
Rock Creek Park
- Things to do
- Free
Free trails, picnic areas and a nature center with programs, in a large park in the city.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Nature Center 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015 Directions
Smithsonian Museums
- Things to do
- Free
Free admission to the Smithsonian's museums in DC, including several on the National Mall.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Some exhibits or busy times may need a free timed pass.
- Smithsonian Castle (Information Center) 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560 Directions
Smithsonian's National Zoo
- Things to do
- Free
Free admission to see animals and explore the grounds. Free entry passes are required: reserve online, or use the limited walk-up passes.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 Directions
United States Botanic Garden
- Things to do
- Free
Free indoor gardens and outdoor plantings near the Capitol. Timed tickets are not required.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Conservatory 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001 Directions
Ways to give back
Serve DC - Mayor's Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
The state office that supports volunteering and national service (AmeriCorps) in District of Columbia. Use the site to find programs and opportunities.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Habitat for Humanity in District of Columbia
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a local Habitat for Humanity in District of Columbia to volunteer on home builds and repairs or in a ReStore.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Capital Area Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Capital Area Food Bank's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Available everywhere
Start here: benefits and programs
211 Helpline
- General help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential referral line connecting you to local help with food, housing, utilities and more. Dial 211 or search online.
Who it's for: Anyone.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Monthly benefits for groceries. Applications are handled by your state; the USDA page links to each state's office.
Who it's for: Income and household-size rules apply.
WIC
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Food, nutrition counseling and health referrals for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under five.
Who it's for: Income-based; apply through your state or local WIC agency.
Medicaid and CHIP
- Health care
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income, and for children through CHIP. Apply through your state.
Who it's for: Income and household rules vary by state.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Mental health
- Free
- Online or statewide
24/7 free, confidential crisis support by call, text or chat.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Benefits.gov Benefit Finder
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
Federal questionnaire that shows which government benefits you may qualify for.
Who it's for: Anyone; answers are used only to match programs.
Free Tax Help (VITA)
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
IRS-certified volunteers prepare tax returns for free and help claim credits such as the EITC.
Who it's for: Generally households earning about $67,000 or less.
HUD Find Shelter and Housing Help
- Housing
- Free
- Online or statewide
Links to emergency shelter, housing counseling and rental assistance offices near you.
Lifeline Phone and Internet Discount
- Utilities
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying households.
Who it's for: Income-based, or enrollment in SNAP, Medicaid and other programs.
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
- Utilities
- Free
- Online or statewide
Federal program that helps with heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state or local agency.
Who it's for: Income-based.
Local help and services
Feeding America Food Bank Locator
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find the food bank that serves your ZIP code.
HRSA Find a Health Center
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Locator for federally funded community health centers that charge based on income and never turn people away for inability to pay.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
SAMHSA National Helpline
- Mental health
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential treatment referrals for mental health and substance use, in English and Spanish, 24/7.
Who it's for: Anyone, including people without insurance.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Safety
- Free
- Online or statewide
24/7 confidential support, safety planning and referrals for people experiencing domestic violence.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Legal Services Corporation: Find Legal Aid
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Directory of LSC-funded legal aid organizations offering free civil legal help.
Who it's for: Income-eligible individuals.
National Diaper Bank Network
- Family
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a local diaper bank for free diapers and baby supplies.
Head Start
- Education
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free early learning and family services for children from birth to age five in low-income families.
Who it's for: Income-based.
Libraries, parks and things to do
Every Kid Outdoors
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
A free pass for fourth graders and their families to visit national parks, lands and waters for a year.
Who it's for: Fourth graders and their families.
Museums for All
- Things to do
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Free or reduced admission to participating museums across the country for people receiving SNAP benefits. Bring your EBT card and a photo ID.
Who it's for: People receiving SNAP benefits.
National Park Service Entrance Passes and Free Days
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free entrance days at national parks, plus discounted or free passes for eligible groups.
Who it's for: Open to everyone on free days; passes have their own rules.
Ways to give back
American Red Cross: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer with disaster relief, blood drives and services for military families.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
AmeriCorps
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Service programs across the country where members tackle local needs full or part time, some with a living allowance and help paying for school.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer opportunities for adults 55 and older through RSVP, one of the country's largest senior volunteer networks. You choose how, where and when to serve.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Become a Big
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Mentor a young person. It takes about an hour a week, and your local agency will guide you through the process.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Boys & Girls Clubs: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer at a local club as a mentor, tutor or activity leader for kids and teens.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
CASA and GAL Volunteers
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Become a trained volunteer who speaks up for a child in the foster care system.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Catchafire
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Use your professional skills, such as design, marketing or tech, to help a nonprofit for a few hours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Feeding America: Volunteer at a Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a food bank near you and sign up to sort, pack and hand out food.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help build or repair affordable homes, or work in a local Habitat ReStore. No experience needed.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Idealist and VolunteerMatch
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Search thousands of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities by cause and location. VolunteerMatch is now part of Idealist.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
IRS Tax Volunteers (VITA and TCE)
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Get free training to help people in your community prepare their taxes at no cost.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Meals on Wheels: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Deliver meals and a friendly visit to older neighbors, on a schedule that fits yours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Medical Reserve Corps
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Community volunteers, medical and non-medical, who help their neighborhoods prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Points of Light Engage
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Search volunteer projects and events near you, or start a project of your own.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
United Way: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find your local United Way to volunteer on community projects and food drives, or to help families get on solid financial footing.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer.gov
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer on public lands, such as national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.