Mayor Bowser extends Public Emergency to “continue to respond expeditiously and safely to COVID-19 and its ongoing impacts.”

The Council measure will allow up to an additional 200 DCPS elementary and 150 DCPS middle school students under the age of 12 to switch to virtual learning.  Students are eligible if doctor recommends they stay at home or live with a relative at high risk.

This presentation was compiled based on the best information available on DC Superior Court and the OAH operations during the COVID-19 judicial emergency. Nothing should be considered legal advice or  relied on as definitive guidance. There is no guarantee the information is accurate or that an individual’s experience will be the same as presented here.

See the attached chart that provides the dates for the stepped approach to end of the moratorium.

The DC Council passed legislation that significantly expands the DC Paid Family and Medical Leave programs. These changes go into effect on October 1, 2021 – and could benefit you and your family!

Find out how you can get up to $3,600 for every child 5 and under, plus up to $3,000 for every child aged 6-17!

Court operations continue to be limited at least through December 31, 2021.  Remote hearings in most cases continue although in-person filings are permitted.

DC has had three special unemployment programs that expire September 4, 2021: Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

The letter asks President Biden and Members of Congress to secure our children’s futures by making the Child Tax Credit expansions permanent and fully inclusive.

To reduce the spread of COVID, the Mayor has reinstituted mask mandates for public indoor settings.

This permits DC to continue to, among other things, request and access federal disaster relief, and issue guidance to maintain safe operations.

The Act marks the first major revision of the debt collection laws first passed in 1971 and will meaningfully expand consumer protections as the COVID-19 public health emergency measures expire.

The DC Council approved a bill that would phase-in evictions and utility shut-offs, with new filings permitted to commence on October 12, 2021. Provision for exceptions for later phase-ins if assistance was requested by the tenant/consumer.

DC Government is expanding in-person services that were either paused or only available by appointment, over the phone, or online. Some online processes and programs that were created during the pandemic will stay in place even with the return of in-person options.  See attached for examples of those expanded government services.  

On July 12, 2021, the Anacostia, Congress Heights and H Street Services Centers will reopen to the public!  You can still apply online.

All clerks’ offices and public counters for the Court of Appeals and Superior Court will open for in-person filings on July 12, 2021.

This provides some guidance on how to reduce summer utility costs as well as the protections still in effect related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This provides helpful guidance for landlords and utility providers on how to access the STAY DC program.

Please note that you can also provide self attestation if do not have the required documents.  Make sure to ask about this option.

See what libraries are open and what you can do at the library!  Expanded services are now available.

New, temporary federal food benefits started in May 2020 for families whose children receive free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) at their school or preschool.  P-EBT benefits are intended to cover breakfast, lunch, and a snack.

When you speak with a “Financial Navigator”, you will be talking to a live person who will provide you guidance over the phone to help you manage financial issues, identify immediate action steps and make referrals to available programs all at no cost to you!

Mayor Bowser’s FY 2022 Budget will shape whether DC has a fair and equitable COVID-19 recovery.

The Order extends the public health emergency indefinitely (although the DC Council has permitted her to extend until July 25, 2021).  Most capacity limits on businesses and gatherings are lifted as of May 21, 2021, and large entertainment venues as of June 11, 2021.  In general, fully-vaccinated persons do not have to wear masks.

Find out about vaccine availability and how to register.

STAY is a new DC rent and utility relief program.  It is administered by the Department of Human Services and replaces the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP).  The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) remain active.  View the DC STAY  Eligibility Checklist below, or go online at: https://stay.dc.gov/

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides for a third round of stimulus payments, as follows: $1,400 per eligible individual; $2,800 for married joint filers; and an additional $1,400 for each dependent (including older children in college and adult dependents).

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 makes several temporary changes (for 2021 only) that expand the child tax credit, primarily for low-income taxpayers.

The American Rescue Plan extended four UI programs. Claimants receiving PUA or PEUC will not have to reapply to continue benefits. For the 2020 tax year, federal taxes are waived on UI benefits (up to $10,200 for individuals and $20,400 for married couples) for households with an adjusted gross income of less than $150,000.

Find out about how ERAP works and what new benefits are available during the public health emergency.

Key Takeaways: FRSP subsidies extended through June 2021; temporary SNAP benefit increase through Sept 2021; re-certifications for TANF/SNAP restarted March 2021; one-time 6 month extension for all TANF/SNAP customers; mid-certifications waived through June 2021; TANF/SNAP interviews waived; 3 ESA Service Centers open for application pick up and drop off only.

Find out more about the online portal and local and federal rental assistance programs.

All protections regarding evictions, utility cutoff, and debt collections continue through this extension.  The Order also provides for some modifications to Phase Two Reopening.

Find out how to ensure you receive all your stimulus payments and/or recovery rebate credit.

Here is a list of programs that offer free tax prep help to DC households that make less than $57,000.

Read about the housing assistance programs and resources you may be eligible for.

Find out about rental and utility assistance programs and where to call for help accessing these programs.

Key Takeaways: Increased income eligibility; Increased rental assistance cap  average rental amount of $10,205; You may now apply more than once until you reach the assistance cap, within a twelve (12) month period during a public health emergency; Residents are now able to self-certify if they are unable to provide supporting documents.

In response to our Petition, the DC Council unanimously voted in favor of the FOIA Tolling Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (Bill 23-1017), which will repeal the COVID-related suspension on response times for DC government FOIA requests starting January 16, 2021.

We understand the Chair of the DC Council has introduced legislation to repeal the FOIA suspension at the December 1st DC Council Legislative Meeting.

The Amendment allows parents or other legal caregivers of a child to designate a Standby Guardian to care for the child if the parent or other caregiver becomes too ill to do so because of a complications from a COVID-related illness. Click below for a copy of the DC KinCare Alliance COVID-19 Standby Guardianship packet.

The App is free and available through Google Play and Apple App Store.

Find out how to sign up to use your SNAP EBT card to purchase groceries through Amazon. Available in English (p. 1) and Spanish (p. 2).

$5 million of the Relief Package will go towards undocumented workers who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment or other benefits.

The letter explains that the Children’s Bureau cannot waive statutorily required judicial proceedings but “expects that courts and states will work together to determine how best to balance child-safety related statutory requirements against public-health mandates.”

The letter outlines some of the
most urgent concerns and recommends both legislative and administrative solutions.

The letter asks for clarification of DHS’ plan to transfer families out of family shelters during the public health emergency.