Maryland financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Maryland
If household costs are hard to manage, Maryland has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, and other basic needs. Start with the statewide options below, then follow the county, city, or local provider route when a program is administered locally.
Money Fit serves Maryland residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
Maryland uses a statewide benefits portal for several core programs, while housing, utility, legal, and emergency services may be handled by local agencies. These three routes cover many of the most common starting needs.
Apply for several state benefits
Maryland Benefits is the state's online application route for programs that include SNAP, cash assistance, Medical Assistance, WIC, and home energy assistance.
Find nearby help statewide
211 Maryland connects residents with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, transportation, legal, family, aging, disability, and other community services.
Get help with utility bills
Maryland's Office of Home Energy Programs may help qualifying households with heating, electric, arrearage, and other home-energy costs. The program year runs from July 1 through June 30.
Maryland uses both statewide and local administration. Maryland Benefits is the main online portal for several public benefits, but local departments of social services, energy-assistance offices, housing authorities, Continuums of Care, and community providers may handle interviews, documents, waiting lists, or direct services. If the correct local office is unclear, call 211 or the state program before traveling.
Food assistance
SNAP is Maryland's main grocery benefit, while WIC supports eligible pregnant and postpartum participants, infants, and young children. For food needed sooner, 211 and regional food-bank networks can help locate nearby pantries and meal programs.
Maryland SNAP
SNAP provides grocery benefits to eligible Maryland households. Residents can apply online through Maryland Benefits, contact a local department of social services, or call the DHS Customer Service Center for application help.
DHS Customer Service: 800-332-6347
Maryland WIC
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Local WIC agencies complete enrollment.
Maryland WIC: 800-242-4942
Food banks, pantries, and meal programs
The Maryland Food Bank maintains a food-assistance locator for much of the state. Montgomery and Prince George's counties are served by the Capital Area Food Bank network. If the correct regional provider is unclear, 211 Maryland can route residents to current pantry and meal resources nearby.
Maryland reset the three-year SNAP work-rule clock on July 1, 2026. Some people who previously lost benefits because of time-limited work requirements may be able to reapply for a new three-month period if they otherwise qualify. Work requirements and exemptions still matter for benefits beyond that period, so use current DHS guidance for the household's situation.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Maryland housing and utility programs are split among state agencies, local housing authorities, local energy offices, homeless-service systems, and legal-aid providers. Funding and waiting lists can change, so confirm current availability with the organization serving the household's jurisdiction.
Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs
OHEP administers programs that may help qualifying households with heating, electric, arrearage, and other home-energy costs. Applications are accepted online and through local OHEP offices. The program year runs from July 1 through June 30.
DHS Customer Service: 800-332-6347
MDHousingSearch.org
MDHousingSearch.org is a free rental-search service for Maryland. Residents can search for available properties and accessibility features, then contact the property directly to confirm rent, eligibility, and current availability.
Housing search help: 877-428-8844
Local public housing authorities
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are administered by local public housing agencies. Waiting-list status and application procedures differ by agency, so contact the authority serving the household's community directly.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
Maryland homeless services by community
Emergency shelter, coordinated entry, homelessness prevention, and supportive services are organized locally. Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development lists community contacts, and 211 can help route residents to current local services.
Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program
Weatherization may help qualifying households reduce energy use and address health and safety needs through approved home improvements. Applications are handled through the local weatherization agency serving the area.
Maryland Legal Aid
Maryland Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to eligible residents. Housing matters may include eviction, landlord-tenant disputes, subsidized housing, foreclosure, and related issues, depending on the case and available services.
Statewide intake: 888-465-2468
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Maryland Medicaid and the Maryland Children's Health Program provide coverage for different eligibility groups. Maryland Health Connection is the state's dedicated health-coverage portal and can also connect residents with free enrollment help.
Maryland Medicaid and MCHP
Maryland Medicaid and the Maryland Children's Health Program provide health coverage to eligible adults, children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities. Applications can be completed online, by phone, or with in-person enrollment help.
Maryland Health Connection: 855-642-8572
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, substance-use, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
There is more than one valid route into Medical Assistance. Maryland Benefits can include Medical Assistance in its combined benefits application, while Maryland Health Connection remains the dedicated health-coverage portal. If the household is unsure which route fits, Maryland Health Connection can provide enrollment help.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Maryland's child-care scholarship program is separate from the Department of Human Services cash-assistance system. Current child-care funding limits make program status especially important to check before relying on an expected start date.
Child Care Scholarship Program
The Child Care Scholarship Program helps eligible Maryland families pay for child care and early education. The program is managed through CCS Central 2 and currently operates with a waitlist because demand exceeds available funding.
CCS Central 2: 877-227-0125
Temporary Cash Assistance
TCA provides temporary cash assistance to eligible families with dependent children. Applications can be submitted through Maryland Benefits or through a local department of social services.
DHS Customer Service: 800-332-6347
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle eligibility, applications, openings, and waiting lists.
Child Care Scholarship remains under a partial enrollment freeze. As of July 1, 2026, Maryland began awarding scholarships to a limited number of families on the waitlist as spaces become available. Families experiencing homelessness are not placed on the waitlist if they meet the other program rules. Families may still apply, but should check the current status before making child-care plans.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
Maryland unemployment insurance
Eligible workers may be able to receive temporary unemployment benefits after losing work or hours under qualifying circumstances. Maryland uses the BEACON system for claims, weekly certifications, payments, and account information.
Maryland toll-free line outside Baltimore: 800-827-4839
Maryland American Job Centers
American Job Centers provide job-search assistance, career services, training information, veteran services, computer access, and other workforce support. Maryland maintains a county-based directory of locations and services.
Maryland Legal Aid
Maryland Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to eligible residents in areas that can include housing, public benefits, consumer debt, family safety, employment, healthcare, and other noncriminal legal matters.
Statewide intake: 888-465-2468
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Maryland Access Point helps residents navigate aging and disability services, while the Department of Human Services coordinates adult support and protective services.
Maryland Access Point
Maryland Access Point connects older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families with long-term services and supports. Local MAP offices can help residents understand programs, community services, and next steps.
MAP Help Line: 844-627-5465
Maryland Office of Adult Services
Maryland's Office of Adult Services coordinates programs for vulnerable adults and adults with disabilities, including in-home support and other services delivered through local departments of social services.
Maryland Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation involving vulnerable adults. Reports can be made through the statewide prevention line or a local department of social services. Call 911 first for immediate danger.
Report suspected abuse or neglect: 800-917-7383
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
Maryland 988
Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24-hour support involving emotional distress, suicide, mental health, or substance use concerns. Maryland's 988 system can connect callers with crisis support and behavioral-health resources.
Call or text: 988
Domestic violence services in Maryland
The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence maintains a county-based directory of local domestic violence service providers. For immediate confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
211 Maryland
211 Maryland provides statewide information and referrals for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, family support, transportation, aging and disability services, legal help, crisis resources, and other community needs.
Call: 211
Maryland and federal disaster assistance
Maryland Emergency Management provides information about disaster recovery and Individual Assistance. FEMA assistance is available only for qualifying declarations, eligible losses, and designated locations, so residents should check current event guidance after a disaster.
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with food, housing, healthcare, child care, or utilities while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, payday loans, or other unsecured debts continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Maryland residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may help organize eligible unsecured debts into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. It is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
