COVID-19 Community Resources

DC-wide information

• The most up-to-date and comprehensive source of information about DC-wide resources is coronavirus.dc.gov
• As of March 31, the DC Council is still considering a financial relief package for DC residents.
• Expert guidance on how to wash your hands thoroughly.

DC Mutual Aid Network

A grassroots, community-led effort to care of each other as an act of solidarity and an opportunity to connect political education with political action. Call the Mutual Aid Network for assistance with grocery shopping and deliveries, delivery of hygiene products, emotional support/just to chat, or other urgent needs.

Mutual Aid hotlines are available in every Ward:

• Ward 4: (202) 681-3098
• Ward 1: (202) 681-9183
• Ward 2: (202) 688-5812
• Ward 5: (202) 643-7030
• Ward 6: (202) 683-9962
• Wards 7 & 8: (202) 630-0336

Fill out the Ward 4 Mutual Aid general volunteer form, sign up to be a dispatcher, or sign up to be a runner. You can also see a list of volunteers who are available to help in Ward 4.

Help with groceries and meals

• A list of free meal sites for students and seniors, including a map of all food distribution sites that is updated daily: coronavirus.dc.gov/food
• Capital Area Food Bank: See CAFB’s COVID-19 Response Page for the most up-to-date information.
• Food for All DC: Food delivery for homebound folks. (240) 505-4607 or (202) 642-6660 (leave voicemail) or online
• Washington Interfaith Network 
• Martha’s Table
  • 2375 Elvans Rd SE: Monday–Friday, 11am–4pm
  • 1474 Columbia Rd NW: Monday–Friday, 11am–3pm
• McKenna’s Wagon: Premade food for the homeless daily.
  • 2nd and H St NW, 5:15pm-5:45pm
  • 15th and K St NW, 6:15pm-6:45pm
• DC Dream Center: 7 days a week, 12pm-4pm at 2909 Pennsylvania Ave SE.
• Miriam’s Kitchen: Monday-Friday, 7am-8am and 4:30pm-5:30pm @ 2401 Virginia Ave NW.
• So Others Might Eat: Monday-Friday, 8am-10am at 71 O St NW.
• N Street Village: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:30am-8:30am @ 1333 N St NW
• YMCA of Greater Metropolitan Washington is providing free meals for children and free groceries for anyone in need.

Resources for seniors

• A list of free meal sites for students and seniors, including a map of all food distribution sites that is updated daily.
• All Social Security checks are on schedule and should be going out as normal.
• If you filed a 2018 tax return and are within the income limits, you should receive the $1,200 check from the federal relief program when that distribution begins.
• If you are concerned about fraud, call the Office of the Attorney General Karl Racine at 202-727-3400. For questions about senior employment changes, ask for Attorney Randy Chen.
• Phone scams are happening. If you receive a call from PEPCO about lowering your bill and asking you to press 1, do not do that. Instead hang up and call PEPCO and speak to a person asking them about any reduction in service.
• Learn more about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation from the Office of the Attorney General.

Know your rights

• Workplace and economic rights from DC Jobs with Justice
  • If you take off work because of COVID you have a right to keep your job.
  • If you use Alliance and Immigrant Children’s Insurance, TANF, Medicaid, or SNAP, you DO NOT NEED TO RENEW these programs for 60 days after the emergency ends.
  • Your landlord cannot evict you during the state of emergency or charge late fees on your rent.
  • Electric, gas, and water utilities are not allowed to be cut off until 15 days after the emergency ends.
• Learn about your rights as a consumer from the DC Office of the Attorney General
• Legal Aid DC: Non-legal Resource Guide

Applying for unemployment insurance or disability

• DC Councilmember Elissa Silverman: D.C. Unemployment Insurance (UI) Basics for COVID-19 Emergency
• DC Government: Video on applying for unemployment
• DCist: How To Get Unemployment And Other Benefits In D.C., Virginia, And Maryland
• Unite Here! Local 25 Resources: Coronavirus and Unemployment Resources by State (DC, MD, VA)
• If you run a small business impacted by the shutdown you can apply for economic injury disaster loans
• How to apply for long-term disability: Visit the Department of Disability Services’ website, call (202) 730-1700
, or email dds@dc.gov.


Health care

• How to apply for Medicaid or Medicare: Visit the website of the Office of Disability Rights, call (202) 724-5055
 or email odr@dc.gov.

• In crisis? Call the Department of Behavioral Health’s mental health hotline: 1-888-793-435


Financial support

• Food service worker resources from Service Industry Aid in DC
• One Fair Wage Emergency Fund
• Grants for children of restaurant employees 
• Emergency Financial Assistance for Bartenders
• DC Virtual Tip Jar
• Hook Hall Helps partnering with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington
• Restaurant Opportunities Center DC
• GoFundMe for Affected Workers
• Application for Affected Workers — currently paused (as of 3/23)
• Restaurant Opportunities Center’s DC Resource Page
• Restaurant Workers Community Foundation

Updates from DC Public Schools

dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus

Domestic violence resources

• DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Call (844) 4HELPDC (1-844-443-5732) or go to www.DCvictim.org/chat
• DC SAFE — Call response line (800) 407-5048.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline —Call (800) 799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522. Chat also available through the website.
• Workplaces Respond National Resource Center — This site provides a variety of resources for workers who are survivors or maybe forced to co-quarantine with their abuser.
• Child and Family Services Agency

Photo by Flickr user Mike Maguire