DC Local Resources - League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia

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WASHINGTON DC LOCAL RESOURCES

City Services Information and Assistance

311 is a toll-free number and online portal that allows people in the District of Columbia to request assistance with city services and information.

Internet https://311.dc.gov/citizen/s/
Mobile app for Apple and Android Devices – DC311
Text DC311
Call 311 or (202) 737-4404
X (formerly Twitter) @311DCgov

DC Government and Voting

To register to vote and learn the details of voting in the District of Columbia, go to the DC Board of Elections FAQ's. To find your polling location, go to https://dcboe.org/voters/find-out-where-to-vote/vote-center-locator-tool.

For information on candidates that will be on your ballot, go to https://www.vote411.org/district-of-columbia.

Contact Our Elected Officials

Advisory Neighborhood Commission

The District of Columbia is divided into thirty-seven neighborhood areas, each represented by an Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). ANCs are groups of residents, elected by their neighbors, who work to ensure that their individual neighborhoods are well-served by the city government.

Each ANC area is a collection of smaller areas called Single Member Districts (SMDs), each with its own elected Commissioner.

To identify your ANC district and learn more about its work and its members, go to https://oanc.dc.gov/landing-page/ancs-ward.

DC Metro & Bus Service

For detailed information about getting around the District of Columbia by public transportation go to Metro Works Fare.

To plan your trip by public transportation go to MTA Trip Planner.

SmarTrip® is how to pay for fare on all Metrorail stations in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Metro parking garages and lots, Metrobus routes, MTA, and partner regional bus providers. To get a SmarTrip® card online, go to https://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/.

For reduced fares for seniors, get the Senior SmarTrip® card for citizens aged 65 and older at https://www.wmata.com/fares/Reduced-Fare-Programs/.

DC MetroRail Service

Operated by WMATA, the system serves 98 stations in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia with its six color-coded rail lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. For more information, go to https://www.wmata.com/service/rail/.

DC MetroBus Service

Metrobus, operated by WMATA, is a bus service in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, offering 24/7 service on 14 routes in DC, with buses running every 20 minutes or better. For more information, go to

https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/

DC MetroAccess Service

MetroAccess is a shared-ride, door-to-door, paratransit service for people who cannot independently use the accessible bus and/or rail system due to a disability. More information about the service can be found on the MetroAccess page.

Driver Licensing, Vehicle Registration, Parking

DC Department of Motor Vehicles offers online and in-person services for driver licenses and ID cards, vehicle tickets, and business transactions.

Parking

To obtain a residential parking permit, which allows any DC DMV-registered private vehicle to be parked without restriction in the permit area of the vehicle’s registered address, go to https://dmv.dc.gov/service/residential-parking-permits.

The Visitor Parking Pass Program allows guests of District residents to park for more than two hours on Residential Permit blocks.

A database of District blocks and their on-street parking restrictions is available through District Department of Transportation.

Go to parkmobile for a free app to pay for public metered parking.

DC Department of Public Works

The District's Department of Public Works collects trash and recyclables from residents living in buildings with 3 or fewer units. Those living in apartment buildings with more than 3 units do not receive trash collection services from the City. Use the Trash and Recycling Collection Day App to find your collection day(s).

DPW collects large, bulky items by appointment from residential households that receive DPW trash collection service. Call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311 or go to h ttps://dpw.dc.gov/service/bulk-trash-collection-0. You can also download the mobile app now available on the Google Play and Apple App Store. You can also take bulk items to the District’s Fort Totten Transfer Station, which also handles collection of hazardous materials.

Assistance with Water and Sewer Services

The DC Water SPLASH Program helps customers facing financial hardships. It provides up to $350 in assistance to ensure that everyone has access to essential water and sewer services during tough times.

The DC Office of the People's Council advocates for the provision of reliable utility service at reasonable rates to consumers and assists in disputes with utility providers.

Energy Programs and Assistance

The District’s Department of Energy and the Environment offers several programs to assist residents with their utility bills, including financial assistance, discounts, and energy efficiency programs. Go to https://doee.dc.gov for more information.

Composting

DC's Department of Public Works offers residents options for food waste drop-off citywide. Food Waste Smart Bins are available 24/7 throughout the city, and and there are drop-off locations at designated farmers markets and community sites on weekends.

In August 2023, the Department of Public Works' Office of Waste Diversion launched the Curbside Composting Pilot Program to test food waste collection from single-family households in the District of Columbia. After a 12-month pilot, the program has transitioned to the Compost DC: Food Waste Collection program.

For more information, go to https://zerowaste.dc.gov.

Services for New DC Residents and Seniors

The District offers useful information for new DC residents at https://dc.gov/page/new-resident-resources.

Get information for seniors and caretakers from the DC Department of Aging and Community Living.

Immigrant and Minority Resources

The Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, a link between the community and government agencies, includes the Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs,Latino Affairs, African American Affairs, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing and more.

LWVDC hosts a dedicated Immigrant Help webpage to connect immigrants and new citizens with critical support and legal services.

Health Services

For information about DC Health Services, go to https://dchealth.dc.gov.

DC Medicaid is a joint federal-state health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income and disabled adults, children, and families.

Job Training and Unemployment

DC Department of Employment Services provides job seekers with employment opportunities through its American Job Center. Each center provides career counseling, career planning, resume assistance, direct job placement, classroom and on-the-job training, access to America's Job Bank (both online and via the phone), information about local and national labor markets, unemployment compensation and much more.

Apply for unemployment benefits from the DC Office of Unemployment Compensation.

Food Assistance

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps low-income individuals and families by providing monthly benefits to purchase food. Applications are accepted online, via mobile application, in-person, fax (202-671-4400), or through the mail.

DC Housing Assistance

The DC Housing Authority provides assistance to individuals and families in need of safe, affordable housing through its public housing and voucher programs.

Resources for tenants facing eviction can reach out to DC Service for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness.

DC Public and Charter Schools

For information on DC public schools, go to https://dcps.dc.gov/.

For information on DC charter schools, go to https://www.dcpcsb.org/.

DC Parks and Playgrounds

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation provides information on parks and facilities, services and programs at https://dpr.dc.gov/playgrounds.

DC Public Libraries

DC Public Libraries lend books, ebooks, movies and more; provide job and career programs; schedule activities such as events of children and chess players. DC Public Library offers a variety of meeting and study room options for public use, and spaces for rent at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for private events.

To find the nearest library and get a card, go to https://www.dclibrary.org/

DC Metropolitan Police Department

If you witness a crime in progress or have an emergency that requires the police, please call 911.

Look up your police service area at https://dc.gov/service/police-service-area-finder.

For quick notification about crimes in your neighborhood, go to https://mpdc.dc.gov/am/service/dc-police-alert.

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