Disability services in District of Columbia
150 Confirmed Profiles and 3,469 Registry Listings across 21 counties, plus organizations that serve the whole country.
Search by area in District of Columbia
Intellectual and Developmental
Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and ADHD.
980listings, 126 Confirmed ProfilesMental and Behavioral Health
Mental illness, PTSD and trauma, substance use, and eating disorders.
1,958listings, 66 Confirmed ProfilesPhysical and Mobility
Spinal cord injury, amputation and limb loss, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, and speech and language.
930listings, 59 Confirmed ProfilesSensory
Blind and low vision, Deaf and hard of hearing, and DeafBlind.
534listings, 53 Confirmed ProfilesNeurological and Chronic Health
Brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, dementia, and medically complex needs.
951listings, 53 Confirmed ProfilesVeterans and Military Families
VA health, claims and benefits help, veterans service organizations, Vet Centers, housing, jobs, and military family support.
623listings, 52 Confirmed ProfilesEverything in District of Columbia, on a map
Every listing in the state by county and ZIP code, plus 175 organizations that serve the whole country.
3,619listings in allKey statewide contacts
Agencies and networks that serve people with any disability in District of Columbia. Each area's Resources and data tab lists the contacts for that area.
Protection and Advocacy (1)
The legal advocacy agency for people with disabilities in your state, set up under federal law. Free help with rights, abuse and neglect, and discrimination.
Vocational Rehabilitation (1)
The state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job.
Assistive Technology Act program (1)
Try, borrow, or get help paying for assistive technology, from communication devices to mobility equipment.
Centers for Independent Living (2)
Run by and for people with disabilities: peer support, skills training, advocacy, and help moving from an institution to the community.
Statewide Independent Living Council (1)
Plans and monitors independent living services across the state.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (1)
One place to start for long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities.
Parent Training and Information Centers (1)
Free help for families of children with disabilities, including special education rights and IEPs.
How to get services in District of Columbia
Most long-term supports are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the program that fits. Many programs have a waiting list, so apply early.
Start here DC Medicaid · DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) and DC Department of Human Services (DHS)
Apply online (opens in a new tab) · Call (202) 727-5355 · A DHS Economic Security Administration service center
Yes. DC gives Medicaid automatically to people who get SSI.
DC Medicaid covers low-income and disabled people. People with long-term care needs may qualify for nursing facility care, ICF/IID care, the EPD Waiver, the IDD Waiver or the IFS Waiver.
For children: Katie Beckett Eligibility Pathway. Children under 19 with a disability who need an institutional level of care can get Medicaid based on their own income.
If you work: None. DC does not have a Medicaid buy-in for working people with disabilities.
Steps
- Apply online at District Direct or with the District Direct app.
- Or visit a DHS service center. Call 202-727-5355 to find the closest one.
- For a child with a disability, apply for regular Medicaid first, then send the Katie Beckett packet to DHCF.
- For long-term care or a waiver, contact the program front door listed for that waiver.
- Answer any letters by the due date.
Have these ready
- ID
- Social Security number
- Proof of DC address
- Proof of income
- Health insurance cards
Intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism
Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD Waiver) No waiting list
DC residents 18 and older with an intellectual or developmental disability that began before age 22 who meet ICF/IID level of care.
Start with: DC Department on Disability Services, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Intake · (202) 730-1700 · Website (opens in a new tab)
DC reported no I/DD waiting list in the 2026 KFF survey.
Medicaid and this program are applied for together.
Steps
- Call DDS at 202-730-1700 to make an appointment, or walk in at 250 E Street SW.
- Complete the Front Door Tool (person-centered questionnaire) with intake staff.
- Fill out the DDA intake application with help from an Intake and Eligibility Coordinator.
- If found eligible, you get a service coordinator and an Individual Support Plan.
- Your service coordinator helps with the separate waiver eligibility process.
Have these ready
- Birth certificate or government ID
- Social Security card
- Proof of DC residency (lease or utility bill)
- Proof of health insurance
- Records showing disability before age 22
- Annual medical evaluation
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Individual and Family Support (IFS) Waiver No waiting list
DC residents 18 and older with an intellectual or developmental disability at ICF/IID level of care who live alone or with family or friends and do not need residential services.
Start with: DC Department on Disability Services, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Intake · (202) 730-1700 · Website (opens in a new tab)
DC reported no I/DD waiting list in the 2026 KFF survey.
Medicaid and this program are applied for together.
Steps
- Call DDS at 202-730-1700 to make an appointment, or walk in at 250 E Street SW.
- Complete the Front Door Tool (person-centered questionnaire) with intake staff.
- Fill out the DDA intake application with help from an Intake and Eligibility Coordinator.
- If found eligible, you get a service coordinator and an Individual Support Plan.
- Your service coordinator helps with the separate waiver eligibility process.
Have these ready
- Birth certificate or government ID
- Social Security card
- Proof of DC residency (lease or utility bill)
- Proof of health insurance
- Records showing disability before age 22
- Annual medical evaluation
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Older adults and people with physical disabilities
Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities Waiver No waiting list
DC residents 65 and older, or 18 to 64 with a physical disability, who need nursing facility level care and meet financial rules.
Start with: DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) Medicaid Services Enrollment Unit · (202) 724-5626 · Website (opens in a new tab)
DC reported no waiting list for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in the 2026 KFF survey.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Call DACL at 202-724-5626 or email epdwaiver.dacl@dc.gov.
- Ask to apply for the EPD Waiver.
- DACL helps you put together and submit the application.
- Complete the level of care assessment.
- DACL links you to an EPD Waiver case manager.
Have these ready
- Proof of DC residency
- Social Security number
- Proof of income and resources
- Medical information
Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.
About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Rules change. Check with the agency before you rely on this. Checked October 2026.
How District of Columbia pays for services
District of Columbia ranks 22 of 51 on Medicaid waiver funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See its spending, waiting list, every named program, service rates, and its vocational rehabilitation agency.
How District of Columbia is graded
Rank 18 of 51 on State of Support
ConnectIDD's report card for services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Access to servicesB-
- Community livingB-
- Family supportB-
- Real workC
- Direct support workforceC+
- Quality of lifeF
- State investmentA
- TransparencyC+
A map for every stage of your family's journey in District of Columbia
Eight stages most families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pass through, from the first diagnosis to planning for the years ahead. Each stage shows what to do now, what to start planning, and the services to look for nearby, with a free printable guide.