Section 50-921.84 - [Not funded.] Eligibility.(a)(1) A person shall be eligible to receive a subsidy under the Program if the person: (A) Provides DDOT with proof of District residency;(B) Certifies that the person is 5 years of age or older; and(C) Is not, at the time of application or renewal, a recipient of: (i) Another subsidy paid by the federal government that is deposited on a SmarTrip card issued by WMATA or any other transit card; or(ii) Free transit fares from the Kids Ride Free Program pursuant to section 6044 of the Student, Foster Youth, Summer Youth Employee, and Adult Learner Transit Subsidies Act of 2019, effective September 11, 2019 (D.C. Law 23-16; D.C. Official Code § 35-243).(2) DDOT may enter into an agreement with a District or federal agency to share information necessary to determine a person's eligibility pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection.(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, DDOT may, by rule, further restrict eligibility to receive a subsidy under the Program to applicants who do not, at the time of application, receive another subsidy paid by the District government or the applicant's employer that is deposited on a SmarTrip card issued by WMATA or any other transit card.(4) DDOT may require a minor's parent or guardian or school to file an application on behalf of the minor to participate in the Program.(b)(1) DDOT shall:(A) Establish a process for persons to apply for a subsidy under this title, which, at a minimum, shall include accepting applications online through the DDOT website and in hard copy via mail; and(B) Develop an application and a website that includes information on the Program, how to apply, and on the non-profit assistance available pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.(2) The Mayor shall make the application available online on the DDOT website and in hard copy at Department of Parks and Recreation and District of Columbia Public Library facilities open to the public.(c) DDOT shall promulgate a list of the documentation or other proof that an applicant, who is not otherwise presumed to be a District resident pursuant to this subsection, may submit to prove that the applicant is a resident of the District; except, that an applicant shall be presumed to be a District resident if:(1) During the previous year, the applicant filed an income tax return, pursuant to Subchapter VI of Chapter 18 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code, as a resident of the District;(2) The applicant is currently having District income tax withheld from their wages;(3) The applicant receives public assistance, as that term is defined in section 101(6) of the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982, effective April 6, 1982 (D.C. Law 4-101; D.C. Official Code § 4-201.01(6)), administered by a District agency; or(4) An organization certified by the Department of Human Services to document the homeless status of an individual has completed a social service proof of residency form certifying that the applicant is a District resident.(d)(1) Twelve months after first receipt of a subsidy under the Program, and every year thereafter, a participant shall recertify the participant's eligibility for the Program.(2) DDOT shall confirm that, at the time of application, the participant remains eligible under subsection (a) of this section.(e)(1) DDOT shall maintain a list on its website of nonprofit organizations that offer services to assist persons with applying for the Program or recertifying their eligibility.(2) DDOT shall provide notice on both the online and hard copy applications for the Program that nonprofit organizations are available to provide assistances. Such notice shall include a link to the list of nonprofit organizations on DDOT's website required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.(3) DDOT may provide grants to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of: (A) Assisting applicants with applying for the Program or recertifying their eligibility, including providing proof of residency;(B) Purchasing SmarTrip or other transit cards for participants;(C) Providing guidance on Program eligibility; and(D) Providing other services necessary for residents to access the subsidy provided under the Program. Added by D.C. Law 24-335,§ 2, 70 DCR 001562, eff. 3/22/2023.