Obtaining Additional Allocation of Food Stamps for District of Columbia Residents

Harris v. D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) and D.C. Department of the Environment (DDOE)

Working with the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath as a project of the firm’s Barbara McDowell High Impact Pro Bono Initiative, Legal Aid sued DHS and DDOE at the Office of Administrative Hearings when the District of Columbia failed to implement the Food Stamps Expansion Act of 2009 on the date on which it became effective. A settlement was reached whereby the District agreed to recalculate Food Stamps benefits for all current and former beneficiaries who were receiving benefits.

The Food Stamps Expansion Act increased Food Stamps allotments by making all beneficiaries eligible to receive the maximum “Standard Utility Allowance” in their shelter cost calculations. This adjustment results in a larger deduction from their countable income for shelter expenses which in turn will lower their net income sufficiently to receive a higher Food Stamps allotment for the household.