In a Nutshell

Maryland is well-known for its blue crabs, historical significance, and strong economy, but life here isn’t always easy. Persistent inflation, which has continued to push already high living costs even higher, has left more and more residents of the Chesapeake Bay State struggling to make ends meet.

In 2022, 10% of Maryland households earned below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This data highlights the need for support programs to help families cover their basic needs.

The state offers various government and nonprofit assistance programs to address these challenges. These initiatives provide essential support in areas like cash assistance, healthcare, and housing, helping to ease the financial burden on individuals and families across the Old Line State.

Learn about Maryland’s financial assistance programs and how they can help you navigate economic hurdles and achieve financial stability for you and your family.

Government Assistance Programs in Maryland

In Maryland, a range of government assistance programs provide essential support to residents experiencing financial hardship. These programs encompass cash assistance, healthcare, housing, and childcare to alleviate economic challenges and improve the overall quality of life for individuals and families throughout the state.

Cash Assistance Programs

Maryland’s cash assistance programs help individuals and families in need access essential resources and financial support. Cash benefits are issued through the Independence Card, Maryland’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system, allowing recipients to shop securely for food and other necessities.

  • Maryland’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program
  • Cash aid for low-income families with dependent children, preparing program participants for self-sufficiency through work
  • Cash assistance for families facing emergencies related to rent, utilities, or other urgent needs
  • Assistance is available through local departments once every two years (contingent on available funds)
  • Known as the Food Stamp Program (FSP) in Maryland
  • Assists low-income households in purchasing nutritious food

Maryland Stimulus Checks

  • There are no new Maryland stimulus checks scheduled to be issued for 2024 or beyond
  • Using the available federal and Maryland state income tax credits can help reduce income tax bills and potentially increase tax refunds, offering financial relief for those struggling with expenses
  • The state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) are still available for eligible taxpayers

Pregnant and Single Mother Programs

The state of Maryland offers several programs for single mothers to help them navigate the challenges of pregnancy and parenting. These programs provide access to healthcare, financial assistance, educational opportunities, and community services tailored to their unique needs.

  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for eligible pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children up to age five
  • Provides nutrition information, food vouchers, and connections to additional services
  • Focuses on low-income infants, toddlers under age 3, and pregnant women
  • Offers comprehensive child development and family support services
  • The state’s comprehensive health and human services resource database
  • Offers free and low-cost programs for pregnant moms, emphasizing the importance of prenatal care

Child Care Services

Maryland’s child care programs offer financial assistance and resources for quality child care services, ensuring children receive the support they require while parents work or attend school.

  • Formerly known as Child Care Subsidy
  • Financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families
  • Supports children’s growth from birth to age five through early learning, health, and family well-being services
  • Free services include active parental engagement as key to strong child outcomes

Medical Assistance

By working through local government branches and the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), medical assistance programs streamline access to essential healthcare for individuals and families across the state.

  • Comprehensive health insurance for aged, blind, disabled adults, and low-income families
  • Medicaid coverage amounts vary based on income and assets
  • Full health benefits for eligible children under 19 and pregnant women
  • Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, immunizations, lab tests, and prescription medicine
  • Assists eligible Maryland residents with diagnosis and treatment services for breast and cervical cancer
  • Includes diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests, surgical consultations and procedures, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, home health care, and pharmacy services

Food Assistance

Food assistance programs support individuals and families, ensuring access to nutritious meals and alleviating food insecurity.

  • Offers numerous programs that contribute to the wellness and development of young children
  • Services include School Breakfast Program (SBP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Afterschool Meals Program
  • Also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT)
  • Cash assistance to families with school-aged children to purchase groceries during the summer when the normal school lunch program is unavailable
  • Allows seniors, households experiencing homelessness, and disabled SNAP recipients to use their EBT benefits for prepared or hot meals at participating restaurants and delis

Assistance for Veterans

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) supports veterans, active duty service members, and their families in securing benefits earned through military service. The department oversees five major programs:

  • Service and Benefits Program: Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the state of Maryland, and other programs
  • Charlotte Hall Veterans Home: Provides a continuum of care, skilled nursing, and memory care for veterans
  • Cemetery and Memorial Program: Offers final resting places for veterans and their eligible dependents at state veterans cemeteries
  • Communications, Outreach, & Advocacy Program: Keeps veterans informed about available benefits and services from federal, state, and local organizations
  • Maryland Veterans Trust Fund: Provides financial grants to veterans and their families in dire situations

Elderly and Disabled Adult Programs

Maryland programs for elderly and disabled adults provide support and services to enhance the well-being and independence of this vulnerable population.

  • Focuses on the needs of elderly and disabled adults, promoting safety, stability, and independence
  • Programs include Social Services to Adults (SSTA), In-Home Aide Services (IHAS), and Project Home
  • Offers cash benefits to eligible low-income individuals with disabilities 
  • Supports those with short-term disabilities or awaiting federal disability approval
  • Covers care costs and personal needs allowance for individuals in MDH-licensed assisted living facilities and Certified Adult Residential Environmental Homes (Project Home)

Utility Bill Assistance

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) in Maryland supports low-income households by assisting with energy costs. OHEP administers several grants and services, such as:

  • Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP): Cash assistance with home heating bills, with payments made directly to fuel suppliers and utility companies 
  • Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP): Financial aid for electric bills, placing eligible customers on budget billing plans to manage monthly payments. 
  • Arrearage Retirement Assistance: Assists customers with significant past-due electric and gas bills 
  • Utility Service Protection Program (USPP): Protects low-income families from utility shut-offs during the heating season 
  • Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Services: No-cost home improvements that reduce utility bills and make the living space more comfortable throughout the year

In addition to the financial resources outlined here, Brad Reichert, founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC, highlights the importance of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This federal initiative aims to assist lower-income residents struggling with current or past-due rent payments due (in part) to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reichert explains that ERAP is administered through each state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). He goes on to say, “The program operates under the Maryland Eviction Partnership program, where benefits go directly to the respective landlord or property management entity on behalf of eligible tenants in Maryland.”

“Tenants residing in eligible multifamily rental properties, who have received state or federal funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (MDHCD), may be eligible for the Assisted Housing Relief Program. Household income is limited to a maximum of 80% of the statewide area median income (AMI) for Maryland, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)” Reichert further adds.

Transportation Assistance

Maryland’s transportation assistance programs make mobility more accessible for Maryland residents, allowing them to benefit from reliable options that meet their needs.

  • Provides reliable used vehicles to eligible low-income families for two years or 24,000 miles
  • Helps recipients overcome transportation barriers to find employment and achieve financial independence
  • The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) offers several special fare programs that provide no-cost or reduced fares
  • Services include seniors, mobility/paratransit, and disability-reduced fare programs

Divorce and Other Legal Assistance

  • Maryland’s Family Court Help Centers provide free legal assistance for family law cases, including custody, child support, divorce, and more
  • Maryland Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to financially eligible individuals

Assistance for Unemployment

Unemployment assistance provides support to help individuals navigate the challenges of job loss and find new employment opportunities.

  • Temporary financial support to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own
  • The maximum Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) is determined by the claimant’s earnings during the “base period” and is calculated as 1/24 of your highest-earning quarter within that period.
  • Requires participants to be able and actively seeking work
  • Provides jobseekers with extensive online services and resources, hosting thousands of job postings from employers actively seeking candidates  
  • Includes tools for résumé building, virtual recruiters, free training, and interview practice

Housing and Homelessness Assistance

Housing assistance programs offer essential support and resources to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness find stable living solutions.

  • The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) offers ongoing resources for individuals at risk of becoming homeless
  • Offers support for eviction prevention, food pantry access, and utility bill payments
  • Assistance for individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis  
  • Offers small, one-time crisis grants to help prevent eviction and maintain safe housing

Nonprofit Assistance Programs in Maryland

Maryland’s nonprofit organizations offer vital support to individuals and communities across the state. Through various privately funded programs and initiatives, nonprofits provide essential services like shelter, food, and healthcare to those in need.

  • Offers several food programs and resources to meet the immediate needs of food-insecure Marylanders
  • Use the Maryland Food Bank Food Finder to locate nearby assistance options
  • Focuses on meeting the basic needs of individuals facing poverty, including at-risk women and their children, older adults, and people with disabilities  
  • Provides grants for direct services in the areas of housing, health, jobs, education, and aging
  • Comprehensive list of grants related to financial support, housing, disaster relief, and other basic needs
  • Funding opportunities across multiple sectors, such as education, research, arts, healthcare, and entrepreneurship

How Do You Get Financial Help in Maryland?

Maryland offers several financial assistance programs to help residents overcome economic hardships. Still, managing high-interest credit card debt or overwhelming medical bills can be challenging. If you’re feeling weighed down by debts, partnering with a trusted debt relief company like TurboDebt can be a true game-changer.

TurboDebt provides effective Maryland debt relief programs to help residents escape the endless debt cycle. In 2023 alone, we helped thousands of Marylanders save an average of 56% on their total debt before fees.

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