AfghanEvac Explainer · Virginia, Maryland & DC
Virginia, Maryland, and DC: stronger nets, but it depends where you live.
The Washington region is one of the largest Afghan resettlement hubs in the country, and its three jurisdictions offer more than most states. But coverage differs sharply across the Potomac. Here is what each one protects, what it does not, and where Afghan families can get help. Read this alongside our national explainer at afghanevac.org/obbb.
Virginia
Virginia: children and prenatal care hold.
Virginia covers lawfully residing children and pregnant women, and funds prenatal care regardless of status, but has little for other adults.
Children and pregnant women
Virginia covers lawfully residing immigrant children and pregnant women through FAMIS and Medicaid, with no five-year wait.
FAMIS Prenatal
Virginia covers prenatal care and 60 days of postpartum care regardless of immigration status. This is a key catch for pregnant Afghan women.
Other adults
Virginia has no broad state-funded coverage for other adults. Many get emergency services only. About 5,800 Virginians are expected to lose full Medicaid on October 1, 2026, and the state has said it cannot backfill it.
No SNAP replacement
Virginia has no state-funded food program to replace SNAP, and proposals for a small state refugee food program were not adopted. Food banks and community clinics remain open to all. State help lines: the Office of New Americans and 2-1-1 Virginia.
Maryland
Maryland: coverage for kids and mothers, food through the network.
Maryland covers lawfully residing children and pregnant women and has leaned on its emergency food network, but its immigrant marketplace buy-in is delayed.
Children and pregnant women
Maryland covers lawfully residing immigrant children through Medicaid and MCHP with no five-year wait, and covers pregnant women regardless of immigration status under the Healthy Babies Equity Act.
No SNAP replacement
Maryland has no per-person food benefit to replace SNAP, and a bill to create one for refugees and asylees was withdrawn in 2026. Its food response is the emergency food network and food banks; the added state food money in late 2025 was one-time. Roughly 4,600 lawful immigrants lost SNAP.
SNAP returns with a green card
Refugees and asylees who lost SNAP under the federal law regain it immediately once they have a green card, with no waiting period.
Marketplace buy-in delayed
Maryland’s plan to let immigrant residents buy marketplace coverage was delayed to 2028, so it is not an option now. State help: the Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees and 2-1-1 Maryland.
District of Columbia
DC: the strongest local coverage in the region.
DC funds coverage regardless of immigration status through the Healthcare Alliance, the strongest local backstop in the region. For one year starting October 1, 2026, it opens to adults of any age, though the rules are in flux, so confirm them.
Children and pregnant women
DC covers lawfully residing immigrant children in Medicaid with no five-year wait. Pregnant women are covered regardless of immigration status through DC’s CHIP From Conception to End of Pregnancy pathway, up to 319% of the poverty level.
DC Healthcare Alliance
The locally funded DC Healthcare Alliance covers District residents regardless of immigration status. Under the FY2027 budget, from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, adults of any age can enroll if income is under about 138% of the poverty level, and specialty care is restored, with dental and vision added.
Confirm the current Alliance rules
These Alliance rules changed with the FY2027 budget, and the DC agency website may not be updated yet, so confirm your eligibility with DHCF directly. The adult age cutoff is scheduled to return October 1, 2027.
No SNAP replacement
DC has no local food benefit to replace SNAP. Food banks and clinics remain open to all. DC uses 311, not 211, for local referrals, and the DC Office of Refugee Resettlement can help.
What to do in the DC region
Find your jurisdiction, then move fast.
Because coverage differs by jurisdiction, start with where you live, and do not assume your neighbor across the river has the same options.
Start with your jurisdiction’s refugee office or help line
Virginia: the Office of New Americans and 2-1-1 Virginia. Maryland: the Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees and 2-1-1 Maryland. DC: the DC Office of Refugee Resettlement and 311. They can tell you what you still qualify for and connect you to local help.
Keep coverage for children and pregnant women
All three jurisdictions cover lawfully residing children and pregnant women. In Virginia, prenatal care is covered regardless of status through FAMIS Prenatal. Do not let this coverage lapse.
DC residents, check the Healthcare Alliance
If you live in the District, the Healthcare Alliance may cover you regardless of status. Enrollment rules were narrowed in late 2025, so confirm your eligibility now rather than assuming.
For food, use the food bank network
None of the three has a SNAP replacement, but food banks such as the Capital Area Food Bank serve everyone regardless of status. Call your jurisdiction’s help line to find a pantry.
Make sure you were not cut off illegally
You must get written notice before coverage ends, and you have the right to a fair hearing. If your status still qualifies, or the notice looks wrong, challenge it and respond by every deadline.
Get to permanent status
A green card is what restores federal eligibility. Use V-PRIC to see your pathway, and the legal organizations below, several of which run Afghan asylum and adjustment help, to move your case.
Where to turn
Organizations serving Afghan families across the region.
These organizations offer resettlement, benefits navigation, and immigration legal help across Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Confirm current capacity, since federal funding cuts in 2025 reduced staffing at many agencies.
Jurisdiction offices and help lines
Virginia Office of New Americans (VDSS)
dss.virginia.gov/community-and-volunteer-services/ona
Virginia’s refugee and immigrant services office. Cash and medical assistance, employment, and referrals.
2-1-1 Virginia
Free statewide referrals to food, health, and local help in Virginia.
Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees
dhs.maryland.gov/maryland-office-for-refugees-and-asylees
Maryland’s refugee office. Cash assistance, employment, and youth programs, plus a newcomer resource hub.
DC Office of Refugee Resettlement
202-374-6807 · dhs.dc.gov/service/refugee-assistance
Cash assistance, health, employment, and case management for refugees, asylees, and Afghan parolees in the District.
Resettlement and family support
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
One of the region’s largest Afghan resettlement agencies, serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Resettlement, behavioral health, and Dignity immigration legal services.
Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)
Arlington-based national resettlement agency and a major Northern Virginia provider. Resettlement, employment, and integration.
IRC in Silver Spring
301-562-8633 · rescue.org/united-states/silver-spring-md
Resettlement, housing, health, food, employment, and legal services across the DC metro.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington
ccda.net/find-help/immigrants-refugees/refugee-services
Migration and Refugee Services: resettlement and refugee services across Northern Virginia.
Homes Not Borders
Furnishes homes and provides employment and resettlement support for refugees and asylum seekers across the DC metro.
NOVA RAFT
Volunteer family-support teams for resettled refugees, including Afghans, across Northern Virginia.
Immigration legal help
Amica Center for Immigrant Rights
Free legal representation and advocacy for immigrants across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Formerly the CAIR Coalition.
Catholic Charities DC, Newcomer Network
240-858-0958 · catholiccharitiesdc.org/program/newcomer-network
Immigration legal help and case management for newcomers, a primary provider for the DC refugee office.
LSSNCA Dignity legal services
Immigration legal services and pro se asylum workshops for Afghan allies, part of Lutheran Social Services. Legal intake line.
Verify before you rely. Capacity is tight and contacts shift, so confirm hours and services before traveling to any office. Afghan-led and Afghan-serving legal teams often provide the most culturally grounded help.
Go deeper
The national picture, and your pathway.
This regional guide sits alongside our national explainer of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For the full breakdown of what changed federally and how permanent status restores benefits, start there, and use V-PRIC to map your pathway.
This guide summarizes federal, Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia policy for informational purposes and is not legal advice. It reflects the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025) and state and local program rules as of September 24, 2026, including the DC Healthcare Alliance changes effective October 2025. Eligibility rules and programs change frequently and often turn on your specific immigration category and where you live. Confirm your own situation with your jurisdiction’s benefits office, a qualified immigration attorney, or a Department of Justice accredited representative. AfghanEvac is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.