Need help with food, shelter or unemployment? Updates on social service offerings during COVID-19

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Need help with food, shelter or unemployment? Updates on social service offerings during COVID-19

Categories: COVID-19

Here at the YWCA National Capital Area, we are committed to serving our community in this time of crisis. As we navigate the coming weeks, we want to share with you relevant updates to our service offerings, latest national news, tips on staying safe and sane, stories of success, and our continued work for our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. 

We are planning daily updates on social media, along with frequent updates on our website and via email. Please check back often for updates. Be safe and well. Together we can #flattenthecurve. 

Our friends from the DC Department of Health have provided some updates on social service offerings from the DC Government as we all navigate COVID-19. These include access to food, shelter, unemployment and other critical needs. Please share with others that may need assistance. If you need help, please reach out to us at (202) 626-0700. 

Food Assistance:

A number of new options and service adjustments are happening in the food assistance space. Please see https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food for an updated list of options for individuals that need help with access to nutrition, including a resource map that is being updated daily.

Unemployment and Family Medical Leave: 

District residents may file for unemployment compensation online at https://dcnetworks.org. Qualification scenarios for both unemployment and family medical leave benefits have been updated to address COVID-19 (see reference chart here). Ongoing updates on this topic can be found at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-individuals.

Public Benefits: 

Please note the following related to public benefits for District residents and see https://dhs.dc.gov/page/dhs-modified-operations-during-covid-19 for ongoing updates from the Department of Human Services:

  • Mid-Recertification & Recertification of Public Benefits – Customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Alliance, and other public benefits provided by DHS, do not need to take any action at this time to continue receiving existing benefits that would otherwise expire on March 31 or April 30. Those benefits will be automatically extended.
  • New Applications for Public Benefits – Applications for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Alliance or other public benefits provided by DHS, are available on the DHS website (dhs.dc.gov). Residents my also visit a DHS Service Center to pick up a blank application. Applicants may drop off completed applications for public benefits at a DHS Service Center and may be contacted by phone as necessary to complete the eligibility process.

Shelter: 

Please note the following related to shelter for District residents and see https://dhs.dc.gov/page/dhs-modified-operations-during-covid-19 for ongoing updates from the Department of Human Services:

  • All low-barrier shelters, family shelters, and shelters serving youth remain open.
    • Beginning Monday, March 16, low-barrier shelters are extending daytime hours through Monday, April 27.
  • The Virginia Williams Family Resource Center is conducting Assessments for Homeless Services via phone. The Center is closed to the public for in-person interviews until Monday, April 27.
    • Families seeking access to homeless services should call the DC Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or 311 at any time of the day or night.
  • Anyone in need of shelter can call the DC Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or 311 at any time of the day or night.
  • Homeless Service Outreach Workers are continuing to provide services to people experiencing homelessness with a focus on welfare checks, connection to medical support, and providing life-saving supplies such as hand sanitizer, blankets, etc.