Tzedek DC

06/05/2026

Check out our latest financial counseling newsletter on how to keep cool this summer without breaking the bank. Read more on what you need to know about summer energy costs, plus programs that can help!

Why are my bills so high? What does this mean during hot summer weather? Many DC residents are already seeing unusually high electricity bills this year, even before the hottest months arrive. With summer approaching, rising energy costs and uncertainty about assistance programs are making it hard

06/04/2026

Tzedek DC was proud to be part of the working group that helped shape updates to DC’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

This bill strengthens protections for residents by expanding who can be held accountable in consumer transactions, making clear that abusive practices are illegal, and closing loopholes that have made it harder to challenge harmful conduct. It also increases available damages and improves enforcement tools so residents, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection can more effectively hold bad actors accountable.

These updates help ensure the law reflects how consumer harm happens in the real world and provides stronger, more meaningful protections for DC communities.

New protections passed on June 2 by the DC Council will strengthen bans on abusive practices to ensure bad actors can be held accountable. Through participation in a consumer rights stakeholder group, Tzedek DC helped shape the bill—the Enhancing Consumer Protection Procedures Amendment Act of 202

06/03/2026

On June 13 and 14 at Regal Gallery Place, DC DOX Festival is proud to present the DC premieres of two films centering disabled voices: Joybubbles and Kids Like Me. We’re excited to watch and check out the filmmaker Q&As! Open captions and audio descriptions will be available.

About Joybubbles: Born blind and searching for connection, Joe Engressia discovers he can manipulate telephone systems by whistling precise tones, leading him into the world of early “phone phreaks” and revealing how one boy’s curiosity helped shape the beginnings of hacker culture.

About Kids Like Me: Oliver, a 12-year-old with a rare genetic condition and a passion for murder mysteries, sets out to make his own film with the help of friends and community members in this uplifting story about creativity, resilience, and belonging.

Join us in celebrating bold nonfiction storytelling, representation and empowerment screen. Go to DC DOX Festival or www.dcdoxfest.com to learn more and get tickets.

DC/DOX is a documentary film festival in the nation’s capital, celebrating bold voices, innovative visions, and dedicated truth-seekers in the art of non-fiction storytelling.

06/02/2026

Big news for DC patients!

The Council of the District of Columbia has passed the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act, a major step toward protecting more than 90,000 residents living with medical debt. This legislation will help prevent medical debt from damaging credit, limit harmful collection practices, and ensure patients are screened for financial assistance before bills are sent to collections.

Medical debt can follow people for years, affecting their ability to secure housing, employment, and even access care. This bill begins to change that and ensure patients have access to care in the District regardless of income.

We are grateful to Councilmember Christina Henderson for her leadership on this issue, and to Staff Attorney Jennifer Holloway for her leadership of Tzedek DC’s Medical Debt Project that helped catalyze this effort.

Huge thanks to Attorney General Brian Schwalb, National Consumer Law Center, Legal Aid DC, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - ACS CAN, Roosevelt Institute, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, and Blood Cancer United for joining us in testimony supporting the bill. And thanks to all who helped us to reach this milestone!

The DC Council on Tuesday approved major medical debt reform legislation shaped by recommendations from Tzedek DC , advancing new protections for District residents facing medical debt and collection actions. The Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act , introduced by Councilmember Christina He

06/01/2026

We joined a coalition of organizations supporting the Child Support Improvement Amendment Act of 2026 to help make DC’s child support system work better for families. The bill would ensure that all child support payments go directly to families and set a clear limit on how long old debts can be collected, so support reaches children when it matters most. These changes would help reduce financial stress, support stability, and create a fairer system for parents and kids across the District.

D.C. limits child support payments for parents receiving government cash assistance and uses the rest of the money to pay for administrative costs.

05/29/2026

Having thousands of National Guard members from states far away patrol DC streets is unlawful and is a harmful attack on DC and on any notion of trust in law enforcement. Thank you to the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs & the ACLU of the District of Columbia for leading our amicus brief.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Linda Paris, [email protected] ACLU-DC, [email protected] WASHINGTON – A group of D.C.-based civil rights and legal services organizations have filed an amicus brief urging the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to stop the deplo...

05/29/2026

Today is ! 529 College Savings Plans are one of the most powerful and underused tools for increasing educational opportunity—and they can be confusing! Check out this article busting myths and providing resources so you can start saving today.

Do you know how 529 College Savings Plans work (hint: most families don’t)—or that you can start saving for a child’s educational future with just $25? May 29 (5/29) is more than just a date—it’s National 529 Day, created to raise awareness of one of the most powerful (but underused) tools...

05/28/2026

Check out our latest , featuring our awesome new Development & Communications Associate Sarah Foster, plus some awesome updates from last month—including media features and a new program launch!

Sarah Foster is Tzedek DC's Development and Communications Associate. Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Political Science with concentrations in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies from York College of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining T...

05/27/2026

Wishing everyone celebrating a joyous and peaceful Eid al-Adha!

05/26/2026

Happy Memorial Day from all of us at Tzedek DC!