Medicaid Renewal Restart Frequently Asked Questions

– Danielle Lewis-Wright
Trustee & Health and Wellness Committee Chair
(2021-2023)

During the March 2023 LRCA meeting, the LRCA Health Committee presented on the Restart of Medicaid Renewals for District residents. Below are frequently asked questions about the Medicaid renewal restart process.

Q1. What is the Medicaid renewal process?

A renewal is a review of current eligibility factors (like current income or DC residency) to determine if someone enrolled in Medicaid, also known as a beneficiary, remains eligible for the Medicaid program. Medicaid renewal for each beneficiary occurs once every twelve (12) months. However, the renewal process was put on hold due to the COVID-Public Health Emergency since March 2020 but renewals will restart in April 1, 2023 and continue on a monthly, rolling basis for the next 14 months based on the date the beneficiary is scheduled to renew coverage.

Q2. Why are Medicaid renewals restarting now?

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020), the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE). During the PHE, Medicaid continued health care coverage for all beneficiaries. Recent federal legislation changed this, so the District of Columbia is restarting Medicaid renewals effective April 1, 2023, to comply with these updated federal requirements.

Q3. When will Medicaid renewals restart?

The first renewal packages will be mailed to some beneficiaries on April 1, 2023, for one households whose coverage is due to renew on May 31, 2023 and some households whose coverage is due to renew on June 30, 2023. Renewals will continue on a monthly, rolling basis for a year thereafter based on the date the beneficiary is scheduled to renew coverage.

Q4. Will everyone on Medicaid have to renew their coverage in April 2023?

No, the Medicaid Renewal process will take 14 months. When it is time for a beneficiary to renew their coverage, they will receive a notice in the mail.

Q5. What can District residents do to prepare for the restart of Medicaid renewals?

If you have moved in the last three (3) years, do not wait to update your contact information. You can go to District Direct to check if the agency has your current contact information by going to https://districtdirect.dc.gov/. You may also call the Public Benefits Call Center at 202-727-5355 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. to update your information.

Q6. Will everyone enrolled in Medicaid have to fill out a renewal form?

No, not all beneficiaries will have to fill out a renewal form. The beneficiary’s eligibility information like current income and residency will be checked using electronic data sources. If the beneficiary remains eligible, then they will receive an approval notice in the mail. This process is known as a passive renewal and no action is needed from the beneficiary.

Q7. What is the process if the eligibility system cannot complete a passive renewal?

Beneficiaries will receive a renewal form in the mail to complete and return by the date listed on the renewal cover letter.

Q8. How can Medicaid beneficiaries renew their coverage and submit their renewal form?

It is important to highlight that Medicaid beneficiaries will have several ways to submit their renewal form:

Online: By using the District Direct eligibility system that allows beneficiaries to complete their renewal, report changes, submit verifications, and view notices online or through the mobile app. Beneficiaries may visit https://districtdirect.dc.gov/ or download the mobile app through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

By Mail: Beneficiaries may mail their renewal to:

Department of Human Services | Economic Security Administration

Case Record Management Unit

P.O. Box 91560

Washington, DC 20090

In Person: Beneficiaries may submit their completed and signed renewal form to one of the Department of Human Services

service center:

Location

Address

Anacostia Service Center

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, DC 20020

Congress Heights Service Center

4049 South Capitol St. SW, DC 20032

Fort Davis Service Center

3851 Alabama Ave. SE, DC 20020

H Street Service Center

645 H St. NE, DC 20002

Taylor St. Location

1207 Taylor St. NW, DC 20011

By Fax: Fax the Renewal to (202) 671-4400

Once you receive your renewal notice, make sure to complete all questions on the form and report all changes in your household. These changes may include if someone becomes pregnant, has a new baby, moves in or out of your home or has an income change—or any other changes that may affect your benefits. Make sure to sign your renewal form before submission. For forms submitted on-line an electronic signature option is available.

Review Presentation

News & Information

DPW Helping Hand Neighborhood Cleanup

Mar 1, 2022 | Community Notices, Events & Activities

Thank-you for coordinating a Helping Hand Neighborhood Clean-Up. This program is used in collaboration between District Government and Neighboring Communities. These instructions provide general guidelines about the Helping Hand Program, and information required to complete the application process.

Submit Helping Hand Application Forms:

Application forms must be received at least (2) weeks in advance of a scheduled clean-up event NO EXCEPTIONS. The application may be sent by mail to 3220 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20019 or via fax (202) 645-5066. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will only provide services for an event that has been confirmed by the SWEEP office. SWEEP inspectors will deliver tools, help organize the clean-up and provide technical support.

Application form may be found at: https://dpw.dc.gov/page/dpw-helping-hand-neighborhood-cleanup

Designate Contact Person:
Application forms must include the name, address, and phone number(s) of the designated Contact Person. The contact person is responsible for (a) overall coordination of clean-up event and communication with DPW Helping Hands program staff: (b) receiving and retaining tools loaned by the Department of Public Works, as well as securing the $20.00 deposit for each tool kit(s), (c) ensuring that all trash generated at the event is placed at no more than three locations for collection by the Department of Public Works and (d) informing the SWEEP office by calling (202) 645-7190 no later than 3pm the day before your event, if you are cancelling your event, any cancellations confirmed after 3pm, call (202) 359-0635.

Identify Locations for DPW Collection:
The bags of trash collected during the clean-up must be placed at no more than three (3) pre-designated pick-up points. All scheduled clean ups should be completed by 1 pm the day of clean-up to ensure trash pick-up for that day. Any scheduled clean ups concluding after 2 pm will in most cases be picked up the next day. (Sunday) There will be no trash pick-up for unscheduled clean-ups Saturday or Sunday. Uncollected trash will be picked up between Monday and Wednesday.
NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

Tool Kits:
The Department of Public Works will loan your group tools to assist your clean-up efforts. Each tool kit contains: 5 rakes, 5 brooms, 2 shovels and 20 trash bags. Toolkits will not be broken up. A $20.00 deposit is required for all tool kits loaned under the Helping Hand Program. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the DC Treasurer. Refunds will be made after all tools are returned in good condition. Lost equipment must be paid for or replaced by articles of equal value.

What is collected by the Department of Public Works?

1. Only trash in bags that have been provided by DPW or bundled debris at the designated point of collection.

2. Wood and tree limbs must be cut into four-foot lengths, no wider than 6″ in diameter weighing no more than 60 lbs. each.

3. Absolutely NO BULK will be collected (furniture, appliances, construction debris). For information on how to dispose of such materials, please call the Sanitation Information Center at (202) 727-1000.

4. Trash pick-up for neighborhood clean-ups only. Special, major, or minor events (block parties, gospel fest, etc.) must be coordinated through Special Events Coordinator at (202) 727-6161.

If you have any questions about the Helping Hand Program, please call us at (202) 645-7190