Filing a Wage and Hour Claim - District of Columbia

Washington, DC does not have overtime laws that are different from federal overtime law.

Washington, DC’s minimum wage is $17.50 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Washington, DC does not have any rest break requirements that are different from federal law.

If you have a wage/hour claim, do not delay in contacting the Department of Employment Services to file a claim. There are strict time limits in which wage claims must be filed. In order for the agency to act on your behalf, you must file within three years from the date that the claim arose.

Do not wait to file your claim until your time limit is close to expiring. You may wish to consult with an attorney prior to filing your claim, if possible. Yet if you are unable to find an attorney who will assist you, it is not necessary to have an attorney to file your claim.

In Washington, DC, a private attorney can file a private lawsuit to recover past compensation plus attorney’s fees and reasonable costs.

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Madeline Messa

Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.