Policy Advocacy

In recent budgets, the mayor has proposed serious cuts to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides financial support to low-income families with children. The DC Council recently voted to delay two of three major cuts for one year: stopping benefits after 60 months and increasing sanctions for not meeting strict work requirements. Unfortunately, cost-of-living adjustments for TANF were not restarted. The DC Council must find sustainable ways to fund the TANF program, which serves as a lifeline for DC families. 

The Alliance Health Care Program provides affordable health care access to thousands of DC residents. Since 2025, cuts to the program and restrictions on eligibility have reduced the number of people who can enroll. Additionally, changes to income eligibility for Medicaid and Healthy DC insurance have left people without coverage, and certain benefits like vision and dental have repeatedly been on the chopping block. As part of the Keep DC Healthy Coalition, Legal Aid urges the Council to protect and expand Alliance and Healthy DC eligibility and coverage, investing in affordable health care that all DC residents deserve. 

The Access to Justice Initiative in DC funds legal services organizations, including Legal Aid DC, that provide free legal advice and representation to low-income residents. Despite the overwhelming need, the program is repeatedly in peril during the annual budget season, with proposed cuts of up to 85%. Access to Justice is part of the District’s social safety net, ensuring that thousands of people who need legal help can receive the assistance they need. Legal Aid DC advocates for the Council to protect and stabilize Access to Justice funding. 

DC is in dire need of housing stability: more than 80,000 people are housing insecure. As rental housing prices have climbed, there is now increased demand for emergency housing assistance and housing vouchers, but neither have received adequate funding from the DC Council to stem the crisis. The DC Council must increase investments in these programs to meet the needs of tenants struggling with increasing rent and cost of living.