Maryland Community Resources

If you are not sure where to start, call 211.

Maryland 211 connects residents with local help for food, housing, utility assistance, healthcare, mental health, substance use support, aging services, transportation, and other essential needs. Maryland 211 is free, confidential, and has translation support available in many languages.

Best for:
Food help, housing help, utility bills, healthcare resources, medication support, transportation, crisis resources, and local programs.

Text Your ZIP code to 898-211

SNAP helps eligible low-income households buy food. In Maryland, residents may apply online through Maryland Benefits or through their local Department of Social Services. Applicants generally must complete an application, interview, and eligibility review.

Best for:
Adults, families, seniors, and individuals needing help buying groceries.

WIC supports pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under age 5 with nutrition support, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals. Maryland WIC requires an appointment with a local agency or scheduling through the WIC client portal.

Best for:
Pregnant women, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children under 5.

Maryland 211 and the Maryland Food Bank can help residents find food pantries and food distribution sites nearby. Maryland 211 lists food resources including SNAP, WIC, and summer food support.

Best for:
Anyone who needs groceries, emergency food, or help finding local food programs.

Maryland has community meal programs for older adults, including meal sites and nutrition programs. Maryland’s benefits site notes that there are over 250 places in Maryland where older adults can get a meal.

Best for:
Older adults, seniors, caregivers, and adults with limited mobility.

Maryland Medicaid, also called Medical Assistance, provides free or low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Best for:
Adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities who need health coverage.

Get Medical Assistance

The Maryland Children’s Health Program provides full Medicaid coverage for eligible children through Maryland HealthChoice managed care organizations.

Best for:
Children and families needing health insurance coverage.

Learn About Children’s Health Coverage

Older adults and people with disabilities may need help understanding Medicare, Medicaid, prescription coverage, and local benefits. Maryland Access Point is Maryland’s “No Wrong Door” resource for older adults and people with disabilities.

Best for:
Seniors, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and families helping someone navigate care.

Visit Maryland Access Point

Prescription medications can be expensive. Maryland 211 lists prescription assistance resources and notes that patient assistance programs through pharmaceutical companies and local nonprofit groups may help lower medication costs.

Best for:
Patients who cannot afford medications, have high copays, are uninsured, or need local medication assistance.

Prescription Help

Senior Drug Assistance

Drug Cost Help

Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs helps low-income households with energy costs and utility bill assistance.

Best for:
Households needing help with electric, gas, heating, or utility bills.

Maryland offers emergency assistance programs for families with children who need urgent help with rent, utilities, or other emergency needs.

Best for:
Families with children facing urgent financial hardship.

Maryland’s Temporary Cash Assistance program, Maryland’s TANF program, provides cash assistance to eligible families with dependent children when resources do not fully meet the family’s needs.

Best for:
Families with children needing temporary financial help.

Maryland’s Temporary Disability Assistance Program provides cash benefits to eligible disabled individuals. A licensed medical practitioner must verify the disability as part of eligibility.

Best for:
Adults with disabilities who need temporary financial support.

Learn About Disability Assistance

Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship program helps eligible families pay for high-quality child care and early education.

Best for:
Working parents, low-income families, and families needing help paying for childcare.

Apply for Child Care Scholarship

Each Maryland county has a local Department of Social Services office that can help with SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance, emergency assistance, child support, and other programs. Maryland DHS lists local offices and statewide support resources.

Best for:
Anyone needing in-person or local benefit support.

Maryland Access Point helps older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families find services and support. It can connect residents with resources for food, medical care, housing, benefits, insurance, and aging services.

Best for:
Seniors, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and families caring for an older adult.

Visit Maryland Access Point

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, suicidal, or in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Call or text 988

988 Lifeline

WIC

Maryland Food Bank

Food Pantries / Free Food

Senior Meal Programs

Summer Food Programs for Children

Maryland Children’s Health Program

Medicare Support

Maryland Access Point

Local Health Departments

Pharmacy Discount Programs

Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs

Local Nonprofit Medication Support

Emergency Assistance for Families

Child Care Scholarship

Child Support Services

WIC and Pediatric Nutrition Support

Meals for Older Adults

Disability Assistance

Caregiver Support

Transportation Resources

Energy Assistance

Utility Bill Help

Emergency Rent Assistance

Shelter and Housing Resources Through 211