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Food

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for seniors in District of Columbia

In the District, SNAP (once called food stamps) puts money for groceries on an EBT card each month.

Checked

From the DC Department of Human Services, Economic Security Administration
An older man unpacks fresh vegetables, apples and eggs in his kitchen

If all the adults in your home are 60 or older or disabled and no one works, approval lasts 36 months and you don't need an interview to renew. The District adds its own money so no SNAP household gets less than $30 a month.

How to apply in District of Columbia

By phone
202-727-5355
In person
Pick up or drop off a paper application at the DHS Service Center nearest you.
By mail
Mail the signed application to DHS Economic Security Administration, Case Record Management Unit, P.O. Box 91560, Washington, DC 20090, or fax it to 202-671-4400.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in District of Columbia

Who may qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Savings limit, household with someone 60+ or disabled, gross income at or under 200% of povertyNo limit

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (source 1)

Savings limit if gross income is over 200% of poverty (Oct. 2026 to Sept. 2027)$4,750

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (source 2)

Gross income limit for the no-savings-test rule (broad-based categorical eligibility)200% of the poverty level

Source: Council of the District of Columbia (source 9)

What you may get

What Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pays
Lowest monthly benefit (the District adds local money to reach it)$30 a month

Source: Council of the District of Columbia (source 10)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
How long approval lasts, households where all adults are 60+ or disabled and no one works (ESAP)36 months

Source: DC Department of Human Services (source 5)

How District of Columbia is different

Where District of Columbia's rules differ from the federal rules for SNAP for seniors.

  • Approval lasts 36 months for households where all adults are 60 or older or disabled and no one has earned income (Elderly Simplified Application Project)
  • Those households don't need an interview to renew
  • Those households skip the halfway check-in form
  • The District adds local money so every SNAP household gets at least $30 a month

Sources: DC Department of Human Services (source 5), Council of the District of Columbia (source 10)

Good to know

  • New work rules for adults 18 to 64 who have no children and are not disabled started June 1, 2026. Unless they qualify for an exemption, they may get SNAP for only three months in three years if they don't meet the rules.

Source: DC Department of Human Services (source 8)

Free help

Free help with this in District of Columbia

More help in District of Columbia

SNAP food benefits in another state

Sources

  1. USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility chart (June 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information: FY 2027 standards (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. DC Department of Human Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  4. DC Department of Human Services, SNAP Eligibility: Elderly and Disabled Residents (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  5. DC Department of Human Services, SNAP Eligibility Requirements (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  6. DC Department of Human Services, SNAP Interviews (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  7. DC Department of Human Services, Public Benefits: Apply for Benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  8. DC Department of Human Services, SNAP Work Requirements (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  9. Council of the District of Columbia, D.C. Code § 4-261.02, Categorical eligibility for SNAP (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  10. Council of the District of Columbia, D.C. Code § 4-261.04, Locally funded supplemental benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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