Free help lines in District of Columbia

State and local agencies that help older adults and their families in District of Columbia. Calling them is free.

ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.

In an emergency, call 911.

Read the District of Columbia benefits guide

District of Columbia agencies

Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs

DC Medicaid (Medical Assistance) and Medicare Savings Programs

DC Department of Human Services, Economic Security Administration

  • Phone 202-727-5355 DHS Call Center main line (TANF, SNAP and Medical Assistance); or apply at a DHS Service Center
  • Hours Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:45 pm, except District holidays
  • Website dhs.dc.gov/page/apply-benefits

Checked 2026-10-18 on dhs.dc.gov

Food help (SNAP)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

DC Department of Human Services, Economic Security Administration

Checked 2026-10-18 on dhs.dc.gov

Free Medicare counseling

DC State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

DC Department of Aging and Community Living

Checked 2026-10-18 on dacl.dc.gov

Aging services and local help

Department of Aging and Community Living (DC's State Unit on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center)

DC Department of Aging and Community Living

Checked 2026-10-18 on dacl.dc.gov

Help with energy bills

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

DC Department of Energy and Environment

  • Phone 202-737-4404 Or call 311 to schedule an Energy Center appointment (no walk-ins); FY27 applications open October 20, 2026.
  • TTY 711
  • Hours Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm
  • Website doee.dc.gov/liheap

Checked 2026-10-18 on doee.dc.gov

Report abuse, neglect or exploitation

Adult Protective Services

DC Department of Aging and Community Living

Checked 2026-10-18 on dacl.dc.gov

Nursing home and assisted living complaints

District of Columbia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Legal Counsel for the Elderly

Checked 2026-10-18 on TheConsumerVoice.org

Report Medicare fraud and billing errors

DC Senior Medicare Patrol

AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly

Checked 2026-10-18 on smpresource.org

Insurance questions and complaints

Consumer Services Division

DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

Checked 2026-10-18 on disb.dc.gov

Scams and consumer complaints

Consumer and Tenant Response Hotline

Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia

Checked 2026-10-18 on oag.dc.gov

National help lines

Social Security national line

Social Security Administration

Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.

Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.

Checked on www.ssa.gov

1-800-MEDICARE

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.

This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.

Checked on www.medicare.gov

Medicare quality help line (QIO)

Commence Health

Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care.

Checked on www.commencehealthqio.cms.gov

Eldercare Locator

U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)

Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.

TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.

Checked on eldercare.acl.gov

National Elder Fraud Hotline

U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime

For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.

Checked on www.justice.gov

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)

Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.

Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.

Checked on 988lifeline.org

See all national help lines

Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18