Welcome to Open Enrollment: Board Game Edition
It's Your Turn, Advance to Benefits!
Open Enrollment for 2026 DC Government Employee Benefits is Now Open
Open Enrollment for employees with District benefits has begun and ends Monday, December 8th, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your current benefit elections and make any necessary changes. If you are satisfied with your current benefits and have no new dependents to add, take advantage of this Annual Benefits Enrollment period to review your benefit elections for accuracy and update your designated beneficiaries. If no changes are made, all elections except enrollments for Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Saving Accounts will carry over to the 2026 plan year; however, the costs will reflect the 2026 premium amounts.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you need a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2026, you must re-enroll with a new annual pledge every year for healthcare and dependent care programs as current annual pledges do not carry forward into the new plan year.
Coverage Effective Dates
• For employees who are paid biweekly, changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 11, 2026.
• For employees who are paid semi-monthly (some DCPS and UDC), changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1, 2026.
Learn How to Enroll or Change Your Benefits
You can access ESS through PeopleSoft at https://ess.dc.gov on your work computer or any computer with an internet connection.
Accessing your benefits has never been easier! Here are the key highlights to guide you through your options and ensure set yourself up for a winning 2026.
What's New for 2026
Find out what you need to know about the 2026 benefits changes before enrolling in or changing your benefits this year.
- Current 2025 457(b) Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Contribution Limits (2026 Limits Pending): The 2025 elective deferral limit for 457(b) plans is $23,500. The 2025 Age 50 Catch-Up Limit is $7,500 ($31,000 total), and the Pre-Retirement Catch-Up Limit is $20,500 ($41,000 total). Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 14, 2025.
- Health Care FSA Contribution Limit: The 2026 pretax contribution limit for health care FSAs and limited purpose FSAs is $3,400. This is a $100 increase from the 2025 limit of $3,300. The 2026 maximum carryover amount is $680. This a $20 increase from the 2025 limit of $660. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 14, 2025.
- Commuter Benefit Contribution Limit: The 2026 combined pretax contribution limit for transit/vanpool expenses is $340 per month. The pretax parking limit is $340 per month. These have both increased by $15 from 2025. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 14, 2025.
- Health Savings Account Contribution Limit: For participants enrolled in the Aetna CDHP or CareFirst CDHP with HSA, the 2026 pre-tax contribution limit for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) is $4,400 for individual coverage and $8,750 for family coverage. Please visit the respective CDHP (Aetna or CareFirst) plan pages for more information. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 14, 2025.
DCHR will have Hybrid Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs this year. We will host a total of 15 events with 9 onsite fairs and 6 days of virtual sessions. Join the in-person fairs and webinars for the latest benefit updates and personalized expert guidance to align your choices with your unique needs.
Benefits In-Person Fairs
Get a chance to meet and connect with the healthcare vendors and DCHR benefits team in person at our 9 onsite fairs at the following DC Government locations:
DCHR – November 12
DDOT – November 12
DCPS – November 13
DBH – November 18
DCHR – November 19
DCPL – November 20
DCHA – November 25
DOB – December 2
DC Council – December 3
DGS – December 4
Benefits Virtual Fairs
We're hosting 6 days of multiple one-hour virtual sessions where healthcare vendors and the DCHR benefits team will present the 2026 employee benefits package.
Please note: You don't have to commit to the entire day; you can participate in individual sessions as needed.
View the complete daily schedule of the virtual sessions below.
All unused funds from 2025 for Commuter Benefits (Transit & Parking) Flexible Spending Accounts will roll over into 2026.
Account balances and access will be uninterrupted.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you need a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2026, you must re-enroll with a new annual pledge every year for healthcare and dependent care programs as current annual pledges do not carry forward into the new plan year.
Important rollover limits for the plan year 2026
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Plan |
Contribution Limits |
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Health Care Flexible Spending Account |
Maximum Annual Contribution: $3,400 |
Maximum: $680 |
|
Dependent Care Flexible Account |
Maximum Annual Contribution: $7,500 |
Unused funds will be forfeited |
|
Commuter Benefits Program(Transit & Parking) |
Maximum Monthly Contribution: $340 |
All unused funds rollover to next plan year |
For more information on Flexible Spending Accounts, please click HERE.
For additional plan resources and details, please visit our 2026 Benefits Plans and Contacts page.
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Benefit
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Plan Options
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Who Pays
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How to Enroll
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Medical Insurance
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Dental Insurance
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Vision Insurance
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Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
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*You must be enrolled in the Aetna or CareFirst CDHP to be eligible. |
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
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Indemnity Insurance
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Disability Insurance
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Retirement Plans
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Commuter Benefits
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*may enroll anytime |
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Savings Plans
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Employee Assistance Plan
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ALEX® is an interactive tool that will ask you a few questions about your health care needs, crunch some numbers, and educate you about the plans that best fit your personal and family needs. It's that easy!
Get started with Alex now..
Take a Sneak Peek at Your 2026 Benefits with Alex Now
How long does it take go through ALEX?
Going through the entire ALEX experience and clicking every possible button can take about 30 minutes or so, but the actual duration of your experience will depend on your needs. Most users spend about 7 minutes with the tool. Also, you can always save your place in ALEX and return later simply by providing your email address.
Medical Premium Plan Rates
2026 Medical Premium Costs for Employees Hired Before October 1987
Please visit the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Health Care Plan Information page for 2026 medical premiums. In addition to the biweekly and monthly premiums, you can also find the total premiums, the amount the government pays, and the change in your portion of the premium compared to last year.
If you are updating your Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), please complete Standard Form SF-2809 and email to [email protected].
2026 Medical Premium Costs for Employees Hired On or After October 1, 1987*
Aetna CDHP with HSA
► View Aetna CDHP HSA Health Plan Summary
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$62.89
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$136.25
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Self + 1
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$123.61
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$267.81
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Family
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$181.71
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$393.70
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Aetna HMO
► View Aetna HMO Open Health Plan Summary
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$150.75
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$326.61
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Self + 1
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$298.27
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$646.25
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Family
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$432.71
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$937.54
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Aetna PPO
► View Aetna PPO Health Plan Summary
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$140.06
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$303.46
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Self + 1
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$275.30
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$596.48
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Family
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$404.72
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$876.89
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For more information, please visit the Aetna DC Government Microsite.
For Aetna's formulary (prescription drugs), please visit the Aetna Formulary Page.
CareFirst CDHP
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$54.16
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$117.34
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Self + 1
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$103.44
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$224.11
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Family
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$158.67
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$343.79
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CareFirst HMO
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$107.63
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$233.20
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Self + 1
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$212.04
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$459.41
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Family
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$311.06
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$673.95
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CareFirst PPO
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$125.69
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$272.32
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Self + 1
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$240.07
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$520.14
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Family
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$368.27
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$797.90
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For more information, please visit the Carefirst DC Government Microsite.
For CareFirst's Formulary (Prescription Drugs), please visit the CareFirst Formulary Page.
Kaiser Permanente HMO
► View Kaiser Permanente Plan Summary
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$101.25
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$219.36
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Self + 1
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$193.38
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$418.98
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Family
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$296.63
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$642.70
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For more information, please visit the Kaiser Permanente DC Government Microsite or contact Kaiser Permanente Member Services.
For Kaiser Permanente's Drug Formulary, please visit the Kaiser Permanente Drug Formulary (Covered Drugs) Page and Kaiser Permanente list of Covered Drugs.
UnitedHealthcare Choice Open Access HMO
► View UnitedHealthcare Choice Open Access HMO Plan Summary
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$124.56
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$269.87
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Self + 1
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$237.90
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Family
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$364.94
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$790.70
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UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus PPO
► View UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus PPO Plan Summary
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$118.73
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$257.23
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Self + 1
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$226.76
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Family
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$347.85
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$753.68
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For more information, please visit the UnitedHealthcare DC Government Microsite or contact UnitedHealthcare Member Services.
For UnitedHealthcare Formulary (Prescription Drugs), please visit the UnitedHealthcare Prescription Drug List.
In the event the plan rates listed here do not match the provider's listed rates, always default to the rates listed with the provider.
Click here for 2025 rates.
2026 Vision Plan
Vision coverage is available at no cost to eligible employees. DC Government pays 100 percent of the premium. For more information, please see the Vision Summary Plan Description or visit the VSP Vision Care Microsite.
2026 Dental Plan
Cigna Dental HMO: The District pays for 100 percent of the premium costs for the DHMO benefit.
For more information, please see the Cigna Dental HMO Patient Charge Schedule.
Cigna Dental PPO: For more information, please see the Cigna DPPO Summary.
2026 Cigna DPPO Premium Rates
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Type
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2026 Biweekly Premium
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2026 Monthly Premium
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Self Only
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$26.71
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Self + 1
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$37.91
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$82.14
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Family
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$49.16
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$106.51
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In the event the plan rates listed here do not match the provider's listed rates, always default to the rates listed with the provider.
Click here for 2025 rates.
Open Enrollment Resources
Play your cards right with our list of open enrollment resources to select the best benefits that fit your life.
Meet Alex, the Virtual Benefits Counselor
Talk to Alex
Join Open Enrollment Benefits Virtual Fair
View Schedule
View Benefits Plan Comparisons at a Glance
Compare Plans
Attend Open Enrollment Benefits In-Person Fair
View Schedule
Get Benefits Support with HR Desk
Submit a Ticket
2026 Open Enrollment Checklist
The Open Enrollment Checklist provides step-by-step guidance to ensure you can make timely and appropriate updates to your benefits elections for 2026.
2026 Health Care Premiums Plan Rates and Changes
Explore the 2026 Healthcare Premiums Plan Rates and Changes for a clear view of upcoming premium changes to find the best coverage for you and your family.
2026 How to Enroll or Make Changes Guide
The How to Enroll or Make Changes Guide is a step-by-step, guide for enrolling or making changes in your DC Government Benefits through Employee Self Service (ESS).
2026 DC Government Employee Benefits Guide
The DC Government Benefits Guide provides comprehensive information about your DC Government employee benefits.
2026 DC Government Employee Benefits at a Glance
The DC Government Benefits At a Glance provides key information about your DC Government employee benefits.
2026 Health Care Plan Comparison at a Glance
Compare your DC Government employee healthcare plans at a glance and speed up your decision-making in choosing the best coverage for you and your family.
DCHR will be closed Tuesday, November 11,
in observance of Veterans Day.
You can still log in to Peoplesoft to access your Open Enrollment window to make benefit changes.
Contact the DCHR Benefits & Retirement Administration
Visit the HR Desk Portal to access self-service resources or get your benefits questions answered. For assistance, submit a ticket to the DCHR Benefits and Retirement Team.
The DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following:
Phone: 202.442.7627
Payroll Concerns & Questions
For issues regarding payroll or paychecks, please contact the Office of Pay and Retirement Services.
Phone: 202.741.8600
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