Community Support for Single Mothers in Maryland

Where to start

Quick guide to Maryland community support

State benefits and county emergency help

Maryland Benefits is the main online door for programs such as SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance, and energy help. You can also call the Maryland Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347.

If an online case is confusing or urgent, use the local office directory to contact the Department of Social Services serving your county or Baltimore City. Ask whether the office accepts documents online, by email, fax, mail, or in person.

Emergency Assistance to Families with Children

Emergency family assistance may help with rent, utilities, or another emergency. The household must have at least one child under age 21 living in the home. Maryland says the funds are available through the local department once every two years when funding is available.

This is not guaranteed emergency cash. The local office reviews the emergency, household information, other resources, and current funding. For immediate attention, state guidance says to follow up with the local department after applying.

Ask the county worker how Emergency Assistance differs from ongoing Temporary Cash Assistance and whether a separate application or interview is required.

Food, groceries, WIC, and baby needs

The Maryland Food Bank locator lists partner pantries across much of the state. Its main warehouses do not normally distribute groceries directly to families, so use the locator and call the listed partner before going.

Montgomery and Prince George’s County families can also use the Capital Area food map. The map includes pantry and distribution information, but hours can change.

For groceries that last beyond one pantry visit, apply for SNAP through Maryland Benefits. Some households with little or no money may qualify for faster service after an application, identity check, and interview. ASMOM’s Maryland SNAP guide gives a fuller application checklist.

Pregnant parents and children under five may also qualify for WIC. It is separate from SNAP and may provide specific foods, nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and referrals. See ASMOM’s Maryland WIC guide for local clinic steps.

Ask pantries, WIC clinics, pediatric offices, schools, and family centers about diapers, formula, clothing, car seats, and other children’s essentials. ASMOM’s Maryland baby guide lists more starting points.

Housing, shelter, eviction, and legal help

Maryland homelessness services are coordinated locally through Continuums of Care and Local Homeless Coalitions. The local housing contacts page lists county and regional entry points for shelter, prevention, and supportive services.

Some families with children enrolled in Maryland community schools may be able to use the school rental program. It provides emergency financial support for qualifying students and families facing rent problems, eviction, or homelessness. Ask the school’s community-school coordinator whether the school participates and what proof is needed.

If you have eviction or subsidy-termination papers, use Maryland eviction counsel to ask whether you qualify for representation. Contact the service before the court date, even if a rent-assistance application is still pending.

The Maryland Court Help Centers give free limited legal help in civil cases, including landlord-tenant, family law, debt, small claims, protective orders, and expungement. The statewide phone number is 410-260-1392. Help Center lawyers provide information and form help but do not represent you in court.

Use ASMOM’s Maryland housing guide for shelter, vouchers, rental programs, and waitlists. The Maryland legal guide covers civil legal-aid paths.

Utility and energy assistance

Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs provides year-round help with heating and electric costs. A household does not need a shutoff notice to apply. The program year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Call the utility first and ask for the exact amount needed to stop shutoff, a payment arrangement, and any medical or budget-billing options. Then apply through Maryland Benefits or a local energy office. OHEP is supplemental help and may not cover the whole bill.

Households approved for SNAP or Temporary Cash Assistance may be categorically eligible for energy assistance after their benefit redetermination. Other households must provide income and household documents under current OHEP rules.

ASMOM’s Maryland utility guide covers current income limits, arrears grants, acceptable documents, and shutoff steps.

Child care, parenting help, and family centers

The Child Care Scholarship helps eligible families pay for regulated child care and early education. The program currently has a waitlist because demand is greater than available funding.

As of July 1, 2026, Maryland began awarding scholarships to a small number of families from the waitlist as spaces become available. Families experiencing homelessness are not placed on the waitlist when they meet the other scholarship rules and show a need for child care.

Use LOCATE child care to search for regulated care by location, schedule, cost, and child needs. Ask each provider whether it accepts the scholarship and currently has an opening.

Maryland Family Network’s Patty Center programs support families with infants and toddlers. Services vary by center and may include parent-child activities, parenting groups, child development checks, adult education, job readiness, on-site infant-toddler care during programs, and one-to-one referrals.

ASMOM’s Maryland child care guide explains the scholarship application, provider search, documents, and waitlist steps.

Health, disability, caregiving, and crisis support

Maryland Access Point is the state’s No Wrong Door resource for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Call 1-844-627-5465 for help sorting long-term services, transportation, food, housing, benefits, equipment, and caregiver needs.

For a mental health, emotional, or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 crisis support. The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. Call 911 when there is immediate physical danger.

For domestic violence support, the Maryland provider list gives county hotlines and programs that may offer confidential advocacy, counseling, shelter, and legal referrals. Use a safer device when possible if another person monitors your phone or browser.

Use ASMOM’s Maryland health guide for coverage and clinics, the disability support guide for national program paths, and the Maryland safety guide for confidential local options.

Community Action agencies, schools, and local support

The Community Action map helps you find the agency serving your county. Services differ by agency and funding. They may include energy assistance, Head Start, employment help, housing support, food, financial coaching, or referrals.

ASMOM’s Community Action guide explains how to ask what is open without assuming every agency provides the same service.

Your child’s school can also be an important door. Ask the school social worker, counselor, family liaison, community-school coordinator, or homeless-education liaison about meals, clothing, transportation, afterschool care, rental referrals, and school stability. A family living temporarily with others because of housing loss may still qualify for homeless-student protections.

Documents and details to gather

Do not wait for every document before calling. Ask what alternative proof is accepted. Use ASMOM’s documents checklist to keep records in one place.