How to Apply for District of Columbia Medicaid
Updated August 2026
DC's Income Maintenance Administration operates five service centers serving residents across all eight wards. Each processes Medicaid applications for low-income families, children, and pregnant women.
DC Medicaid IMA Service Centers
Source: DHCF Medicaid page (dhcf.dc.gov/service/medicaid). TTY: 711. Call (202) 727-5355 to confirm current hours before visiting.
- Anacostia: 2100 Martin Luther King Ave., SE — (202) 645-4614
- Congress Heights: 4049 South Capitol St., SW — (202) 645-4525
- Fort Davis: 3851 Alabama Ave., SE — (202) 645-4500
- H Street: 645 H St., NE — (202) 698-4350
- Taylor Street: 1207 Taylor St., NW — (202) 576-8000
What to bring when applying
- Proof of DC residency — utility bill, lease, or government mail showing your address
- Proof of identity — DC driver's license, DC ID, birth certificate, or passport
- Social Security number for each household member applying
- Proof of income — pay stubs, employer letters, Social Security or disability award letters
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status
- If applying for a child: documentation of the child's relationship to you
Other insurance — what DC Medicaid requires you to know
DC Medicaid operates as a payer of last resort. Per DHCF, if you have any other health insurance — employer-sponsored, COBRA, Medicare, workers' compensation, or liability coverage — you must report it to DHCF. When Medicaid and other insurance both apply, your primary insurance must be billed first.
DC Medicaid requires members to assign their rights to medical payments from any source to DHCF. This is a standard condition of enrollment — it allows DHCF to recover amounts paid for services that were also covered by another party (e.g., auto accident liability coverage). Failing to report third-party coverage can affect eligibility.
Related guides
How to Apply
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application process and what you'll need.
Read more →Eligibility Requirements
The income, household, age, and state rules that determine who qualifies.
Read more →Approval Time
Federal processing deadlines and what affects your approval timeline.
Read more →