DC Department of Human Services

Name

DC Department of Human Services

Legal name

District of Columbia Department of Human Services

Website

https://dhs.dc.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) (92313), Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Public benefits administration
• Social services
• Food assistance (SNAP)
• Homeless services
• Cash assistance (TANF)

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Federal Block Grants: Primary funding from federal government including TANF block grants, SNAP administration funds, Medicaid matching funds, and various social services block grants. TANF is a federal block grant that has remained flat since 1996.
2. Local District of Columbia Appropriations: Local government funding to supplement federal grants and support expanded programs. The District has invested significant local resources to maintain and expand programs beyond federal constraints.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DC Department of Human Services is the District of Columbia's primary social services agency, administering federal and local public benefit programs (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care subsidies), homeless services and housing, and youth and community services to eligible District residents at no cost.

Product overview

DC Department of Human Services operates as a multi-service government agency offering public benefits administration and social services through its core Economic Security Administration (ESA) and Family Services Administration divisions. The agency's portfolio includes benefit programs delivered through the District Direct mobile/web platform (SNAP food assistance, TANF cash assistance, Medical Assistance), with add-on modules including SNAP Employment & Training, TANF Employment & Education, EBT card management via ebtEDGE, and the Child Care Subsidy Program. Homeless Services & Housing represents a major service category encompassing shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and prevention programs (HPP, Project Reconnect, DC Flex, ERAP). Youth & Community Services includes youth diversion programs, Gen2Gen multi-generational support, domestic violence survivor services, and hypothermia/cold emergency response. The agency utilizes third-party integrations with Amazon, Aldi (Instacart), Giant, and Safeway for SNAP online purchasing, and operates Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for case coordination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• District Direct: Mobile application and online portal for DC residents to apply for public benefits
• SNAP E&T (SNAP Employment & Training Program)
• Economic Security Administration (ESA)

Products and services

• District Direct Mobile application and web portal enabling District residents to apply for public benefits (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid), complete recertifications and mid-certifications, upload verification documents, view benefit information and notices, and update household information.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Federal food assistance program providing monthly benefits on an EBT card to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets, convenience stores, and select online retailers. Formerly known as Food Stamps.
• SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Voluntary program assisting SNAP recipients in achieving career goals through occupational training, education, work readiness, job placement services, and the SNAP Volunteer Program (Workfare). Participants receive reimbursements for transportation, childcare, and other expenses.
• Know Before You Go (Verification Checklist Tool) Online tool that helps residents build a personalized checklist of verification documents needed for public benefit applications based on their specific circumstances.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash assistance program providing regular direct cash payments to income-eligible families with dependent children, along with supportive services including employment coaching, childcare subsidies, and behavioral health support. Uses a two-generation approach.
• Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Joint federal/state health insurance program providing coverage including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health services, and transportation. Covers Medicaid, Alliance Program, and DC Healthy Families programs.
• Cash Assistance Programs Category including TANF, Interim Disability Assistance (IDA), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), and Burial Assistance programs providing direct cash payments to eligible individuals and families.
• DC Child Care Subsidy Program Program helping DC families pay for child care costs based on income and need. Families can receive subsidies at licensed child development facilities or select in-home providers.
• Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Cards Electronic system allowing SNAP participants to pay for food using benefits loaded onto an EBT card. Includes ebtEDGE mobile app and Cardholder Portal for balance checking, card security features (freeze, block transactions), and PIN management.
• Homeless Services & Housing Comprehensive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness including low-barrier shelter, day centers, street outreach, homelessness prevention, diversion services, and housing programs (Rapid Re-Housing, Transitional Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing).
• Youth Homeless Services Services for youth aged 16-24 experiencing homelessness including Youth HOPE program (prevention, reunification, stabilization), drop-in centers, emergency shelters, and partnerships with community organizations for housing and outreach.
• Coordinated Assessment & Housing Placement (CAHP) Standardized access and assessment system (Coordinated Entry) for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Ensures referrals for housing based on service needs and length of homelessness.
• Homeless Prevention & Diversion Programs (HPP, Project Reconnect, DC Flex, ERAP) Prevention and diversion programs helping residents remain housed, including the Homeless Prevention Program, Project Reconnect diversion/rapid exit, DC Flex flexible rent subsidy (up to $7,200/year for individuals or $8,400/year for families), and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program for residents below 40% AMI.
• Vital Documents & Identification Cards No-fee birth certificate program (partnership with DC Health) and no-fee non-driver identification card program (partnership with DC DMV) for residents experiencing homelessness.
• Hypothermia/Cold Emergency Response Cold weather shelter and outreach services during hypothermia season (November - March). Includes Cold Alerts (16-32°F) and Extreme Cold Alerts (below 15°F), 24/7 shelter hotline, hypothermia shelters, and transportation to shelter.
• Youth & Community Services Crisis support services for youth and families including diversion from juvenile justice system, family-based prevention programs, teen parenting support, and community block grants.
• Gen2Gen DC Multi-generational programs addressing needs of parents, children, and grandparents including Fatherhood Initiative, Grandfamilies Support Group, One Congregation One Family, and READY Center for returning citizens.
• Strong Families Program Prevention and early intervention support for residents in crisis experiencing multiple complex challenges. Provides social work intervention, case planning, and referrals for families facing fire, building closure, or natural disaster.
• Domestic Violence Survivor Supports Grant-funded programs providing emergency and transitional shelter, case management, counseling, advocacy, and outreach to survivors of domestic violence through community partners including DC Safe, My Sister's Place, and House of Ruth.
• DC SUN Bucks Federal summer nutrition program providing food benefits to children to support families during summer break.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 in 3 District residents receive Medicaid coverage through DHS-administered programs
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTCP serves as the DC CAHP (Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement) System Administrator, overseeing the coordinated entry system that ensures standardized access and assessment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• United Planning Organization (UPO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUPO is the designated Community Action Agency (CAA) that coordinates approaches to address poverty in the District through its network of service providers, administering CSBG funds.
• DC Department of Health (DC Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide no-fee birth certificates for residents experiencing homelessness through the DC Vital Records Division.
• DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to assist residents experiencing homelessness in obtaining DC identification cards at no cost through DHS verification of residency status.
• Latin American Youth CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDrop-in center providing housing crisis services to youth at 3045 15th Street NW including food, clothing, showers, case management, and referrals.
• Sasha Bruce YouthworkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMultiple programs including Bruce House emergency shelter for ages 17 and under, drop-in services at Capitol Hill location, and youth services coordination.
• Covenant House Greater WashingtoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMultiple youth shelters including The Sanctuary (18-24 yrs), The SHINE (LGBTQ+ 18-24 yrs), Safe Haven, and referrals through the Safe Place Hotline.
• SAMU First ResponsecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDrop-in center services for youth facing housing crises at 650 Pennsylvania Ave SE.
• Zoe's DoorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYouth drop-in center at 900 Rhode Island Ave NE operating 24/7 providing services to youth facing housing instability.
• DC SafecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence providing emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform. Operates DC Victim Hotline.
• My Sister's PlacecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerShelters, supports, and empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children while providing leadership and education to build a supportive community.
• District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides access to safe housing options and comprehensive services to ensure no survivor has to become homeless as a result of abuse.
• House of RuthcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFounded 1976 - empowers women, children, and families to rebuild lives through enriched housing, trauma-informed daycare, and free counseling services.
• Community Family Life ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSince 1969 - provides tools for children, families, and adults to move beyond poverty including transitional housing, mentoring, employment coaching, and emergency services.
• Mary's CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides domestic violence resources including case management, safety planning, shelter placement, and legal assistance through trained staff.
• Asian Pacific Islander DVRPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAddresses, prevents, and ends domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian/Pacific Islander communities while empowering survivors to rebuild their lives.
• SNAP E&T Service Providers (17 providers)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork of 17 providers offering occupational training, education, work readiness, job placement, and related services for SNAP recipients.
• Fidelity Information Services (FIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationDC's EBT card distribution company that mails new and replacement cards to customer addresses. Handles EBT card activation and customer support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New York City Department of Social Services (DSS): NYC's municipal human services agency administering SNAP, Cash Assistance, Medicaid, and shelter services for the NYC homeless population; the closest direct functional peer to DC DHS given overlapping program portfolios and an over-$18B combined operating budget referenced in the source data.
• Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance: Massachusetts's state agency administering SNAP, TAFDC (TANF), EAEDC cash assistance, and emergency housing — direct functional peer to DC DHS at comparable scale, focused on the same federal entitlement programs.
• Philadelphia Department of Human Services: Philadelphia's municipal human services agency administering TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, child welfare, and homeless services — comparable to DC DHS as another large city-level human services agency with similar program mix and population demographics.
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services: LA County's public social services agency administering CalFresh, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, and homeless services — comparable to DC DHS in operating model (county/municipal-level integrated human services administration) though at much larger scale.
• NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA): NYC's HRA administers SNAP, Cash Assistance, Medicaid, and emergency housing assistance for New Yorkers — closely mirrors DC DHS's ESA division in delivering federal entitlement programs at municipal scale.

Broad incumbents

• California Department of Social Services (CDSS): California's state-level social services agency administering CalFresh (SNAP), CalWORKS (TANF), Medi-Cal, child care, and homeless services — operates at state scale with the same federal entitlement programs as DC DHS but with broader geographic footprint.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Texas's consolidated state health and human services agency administering SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and housing supports — analogous to DC DHS as a state-equivalent integrated human services administrator with comparable program mix.
• Florida Department of Children and Families: Florida's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and homeless/domestic violence services — comparable to DC DHS in program scope though at a far larger state scale.

Regional players

• Maryland Department of Human Services: Maryland's state human services agency administering SNAP, TANF, Temporary Cash Assistance, and child care subsidies — directly comparable to DC DHS in program portfolio and mid-Atlantic regional context, serving adjacent jurisdictions.
• Virginia Department of Social Services: Virginia's state social services agency administering SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care, and homeless services — closely comparable to DC DHS in portfolio and regulatory environment, serving the DC metropolitan area.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DCHumanServ
• Facebookfacebook.com/DHSDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dc-department-of-human-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/DCHumanServ

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DC Department of Human Services