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Transferring SNAP (Food Stamps) from Maryland to District of Columbia

Food benefits stay with the state that issued the case, not with you. Leaving Maryland means ending that case and starting over with District of Columbia SNAP. Apply immediately after arriving — approval can take up to 30 days and starts from your filing date.

Both states apply the same gross income limit (200% of the federal poverty level), so if you qualified in Maryland, income alone should not disqualify you in District of Columbia.

Official District of Columbia SNAP agency: District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) ↗ (application page)

Your step-by-step checklist

Before you move

  1. 1

    Tell Maryland Department of Human Services you are moving out of state

    Report your move to your local department of social services or call the DHS helpline at 1-800-332-6347 and ask to close your Food Supplement case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.

    Maryland Department of Human Services ↗

Moving week

  1. 2

    Keep your EBT card — the balance still works

    Benefits already on your EBT card remain yours and the card works at SNAP retailers in any state. Spend-down is not required before moving.

After you arrive

  1. 3

    Apply with District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) right away

    File the day you arrive if you can — approval can take up to 30 days, and benefits start from your application date, not your arrival date. Stated processing: up to 30 days.

    Online application ↗
  2. 4

    Ask about expedited SNAP

    If you have very low cash and resources after the move, federal rules require expedited service — benefits within 7 days.

Maryland vs District of Columbia: the numbers that decide it

 Maryland (old state)District of Columbia (new state)
Program nameFood Supplement ProgramDistrict of Columbia SNAP
AgencyMaryland Department of Human ServicesDistrict of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS)
Broad-Based Categorical EligibilityYesYes
Gross income limit200% of the federal poverty level200% of the federal poverty level

Verified 2026-08-08 (Maryland) and 2026-08-08 (District of Columbia) against the official sources cited below.

Moving with more than one benefit?

The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.

Build the full Maryland → District of Columbia checklist

Common questions

Will my EBT card from Maryland work in District of Columbia?

Yes. EBT is interoperable nationwide, so any balance already issued spends normally at SNAP retailers in District of Columbia. The card keeps working until the balance is used, even after your Maryland case closes.

Can I get SNAP in both states during the moving month?

No — receiving SNAP from two states in the same month is a program violation. Close the Maryland case for the month you leave, then apply in District of Columbia. Benefits in District of Columbia start from your application date.

How fast can District of Columbia approve my new SNAP case?

Federal rules give District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) up to 30 days, or 7 days for expedited service if your household has very low cash and resources after the move. Stated timing: up to 30 days.

Where do I actually apply in District of Columbia?

Through District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) (online application linked above). Official SNAP pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.

Related guides

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified