District of Columbia
A small, dense jurisdiction with a Medicaid program of its own (DC Healthy Families, EPD Waiver), an unusually generous paid family leave program (DC PFL — up to 12 weeks at high wage replacement), and tax and inheritance rules separate from those of any state. DC's caregiver landscape is shaped by a high cost of living, deep medical infrastructure, and a small geographic footprint.
Under the Universal Paid Leave Act, DC workers can claim up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition (effective October 2022). Wage replacement is among the highest in the country at the lower wage tiers. Funded by a 0.26% employer payroll tax (effective rate subject to annual adjustment).
DC applies the federal 5-year look-back. Long-term care services are delivered through fee-for-service Medicaid plus the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Waiver for home and community-based services. The DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) administers Medicaid; the Department on Aging and Community Living (DACL) coordinates aging services.
Unlike most jurisdictions in this region, DC imposes a state-level estate tax. The DC exemption is approximately $4.873M (2024-25), well below the federal exemption. Estates between the DC and federal exemptions can face DC estate tax even with no federal liability. There is no DC inheritance tax.
Medicare in DC
DC SHIP, Medigap rules in a small market, the dual-eligible coordination problem.
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Medicaid & LTC in DC
DC Healthy Families, EPD Waiver, 5-year look-back, dual-eligible considerations.
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Care Settings & Costs in DC
High DC pricing, limited skilled-nursing capacity, dense home-care market.
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Legal & Financial — DC
DC estate tax, no inheritance tax, POA Uniform Act, probate at DC Superior Court.
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The Caregiver's Life — DC
DC Paid Family Leave, FMLA, federal worker considerations, DC Caregiver Resource Center.
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For when you don’t want to dig
Medicaid agency, Area Agency on Aging, Adult Protective Services, free Medicare counseling, legal aid, official forms, and every statute we cite. All in one page.
OCT 15 → DEC 7
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. DC has fewer plans than neighboring states but still meaningful AEP decisions, especially for federal retirees coordinating with FEHB.
ANNUAL
DC Medicaid renewal cycle
DHCF conducts annual redeterminations. Confirm continued eligibility during renewal review.
VARIABLE
DC Schedule H Property Tax Credit deadline
DC homeowners and renters 65+ with limited income can claim the Schedule H credit (up to $1,375 in 2024). Filed with the DC income tax return.
Recent from District of Columbia
Reviewer to be assigned · May 21
Reviewer TBD · May 21
Reviewer TBD · May 21
Caregiving rules differ meaningfully across state lines. If you’re weighing where to relocate your parent, these comparisons matter.
How we research District of Columbia-specific guidance.
Every state page is built from three sources: the state’s own statutes and regulatory filings, federal CMS and SSA documents that apply, and direct input from at least one credentialed reviewer who practices in or is licensed in that state. We re-review every state page quarterly. District of Columbia was last fully reviewed on May 21, 2026 by Reviewer to be assigned.