Know Your Rights! DC Healthcare Alliance

The Alliance gives free health insurance to low-income people who live in D.C. and can’t get Medicaid. For adults, it will pay for doctor or hospital visits, prescription drugs, and durable medical equipment. For children, it will pay for primary care, dental, and durable medical equipment.

If you’re 26 or older and don’t already have Alliance, you can’t get it. If you’re under 26, you can apply for Alliance if you:

• Are a DC resident
• Don’t have health insurance (including Medicaid or Medicare)
• Have low income. See the chart below.

*This limit will change on October 1, 2026

Yes. The law says the government has to help you in your language. Just tell the agency you want help in your language.

Yes! All eligible District residents, no matter your immigration status, can get the Alliance. This includes undocumented immigrants. 

You can apply for all public benefits, including food stamps, TANF, Medicaid, and D.C. Healthcare Alliance on the same application.

Step 1: Get the documents you need. Don’t send the originals! Take a picture or make a copy.

• Your photo ID
• Your Social Security Card (if you have one)
• Proof of income (such as pay stubs)
• Utility bill or other proof of DC residency. Starting in March 2026, you will need two documents showing DC residency.

Step 2: Apply in one of five ways:

In person at one of these ESA service centers. Ask for a receipt when you apply.

• Anacostia Service Center
  2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
  (202) 645-4614
• Congress Heights Service Center
  4001 South Capitol Street SW
  (202) 645-4546
• H Street Service Center
  645 H Street NE
  (202) 698-4350
• [Closed] Fort Davis Service Center
  3851 Alabama Avenue SE
  (202) 645-4500
• [Closed] Taylor Street Service Center
  1207 Taylor Street NW
  (202) 576-8000

Smartphone: Download the District Direct app in the app store. Apply through your phone. Write down your confirmation number.

Online: Apply online through District Direct at districtdirect.dc.gov. Write down your confirmation number. Save a copy of what you submit.

In person at these hospitals or community health clinics.

• Hospitals: United Medical Center, Washington Hospital Center, Providence Hospital, Howard University Hospital
• Congress Heights Health Center
  3720 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 20032
  (202) 279-1800
• Hunt Place Community Health Center
  4130 Hunt Pl. NE, 20019
  (202) 388-8160
• La Clínica del Pueblo
  2831 15th St. NW, 20009
  (202) 462-4788
• Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care
  2333 Ontario Rd. NW, 20009
  (202) 483-8196
• Southwest Community Health Center
  850 Delaware Ave. SW, 20024
  (202) 548-4520

Fax: Fax the completed application to DHS ESA at (202) 671-4400.

If you are approved, DC will send you information through District Direct or in the mail with your insurance card and information on how to access care.

You have the right to appeal. You need to appeal within 90 days of the notice that your benefits were denied, cut
off, or reduced. There are three steps to appeal.

Step 1: Get the appeal form online at https://oah.dc.gov/node/154252.

Step 2: Fill out the appeal form.

Step 3: File the form in one of these ways:

Email it to oah.filing@dc.gov.

Bring it in person to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 441 Fourth Street NW, Suite 450N, Washington, DC 20001. Keep a copy of the form.

Mail it the address on the left. Keep a copy of the form. Write down the date you sent it. This option isn’t recommended.