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Chapter 2- Overview of Applicable Programs INTRODUCTION 2.1

This chapter provides an overview of the benefits programs operated by ESA which are addressed in this Manual.

ESA determines eligibility for five major benefits programs in the District of Columbia:

 Medical Assistance (MA) ,  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),  General Assistance for Children (GC),  Interim Disability Assistance (IDA), and  Food Stamps (FS)

ESA administers all of these programs except for MA. MA is administered by the Department of Health.

These benefits are available to District residents based on income and other eligibility requirements. Each program operates under different federal and District legislative authority and has its own eligibility requirements, income limits, benefit determination, benefit levels, fair hearing and administrative review procedures, and other provisions.

District residents apply for program benefits at one of the ESA service centers. Following an initial screening interview with ESA staff, applicants can be referred to other agencies or for other benefits and services, including referrals to employment opportunities.

The Department uses a Combined Application (CA) form for MA, TANF, GC, IDA, and FS benefits which collects eligibility information and documentation for all five ESA programs. In addition, an MA-specific application form, the D.C. Healthy Families Application, can be completed by certain applicants. Further, customers wishing to apply only for Food Stamps may use the Food Stamp only application form. Residents have the right to receive and file a benefits application form within the same business day they request an application. Additional rights and responsibilities are held by the applicant, recipient, and Department and are described in detail in Part II: Basic Rights and Responsibilities.

In addition to these five main programs, ESA also offers two programs for refugees: Refugee-Related MA and Refugee Cash Assistance. These programs draw on the policies used by the four main programs. Consequently, the Manual does not highlight the refugee programs in every section. Section 7.5: Refugee- Related Cash and Medical Assistance in Part IV describes the refugee programs and their relationship to the five main ESA programs.

ESA also administers the Burial Assistance Program. This program is discussed in detail in Part IX: Special Local Programs.

The following sections describe each of the five major ESA programs and provide a summary of each program's legislative authority, eligibility criteria, and benefits. More detailed explanations of policies, eligibility, and benefits are provided in later chapters of this Manual.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MA) 2.2