Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Maryland dealing with domestic violence, start with immediate safety. Then connect with an advocate, the court, legal help, and basic needs support.
For danger right now, call 911. For confidential domestic violence support, call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat when it is safe. In Maryland, House of Ruth lists a 24-hour hotline at 410-889-7884 and can help connect survivors to shelter, legal services, counseling, and referrals.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice or a personal safety plan. A domestic violence advocate, lawyer, court clerk, police officer, or licensed professional can help you decide what is safe for your situation.
Urgent help in Maryland
If you or your children may be hurt today, call 911 or go to a safer public place if you can do that without increasing danger. If you are being watched online, use a safer phone, computer, or public device before searching for help.
Call or text now
Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat if it is safe to use your device.
Maryland hotline
Call House of Ruth Maryland at 410-889-7884. The contact page also lists chat and office information.
Find a local program
Use the local DV programs list from the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.
Need other basics?
Dial 211 or use 211 domestic violence resources for shelter, food, legal, health, and other local help.
Where to start
The right first step depends on what is happening today. You may need a safe place, a protective order, child care, food, legal help, or time off work.
Maryland quick reference
| Need | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Emergency help for you, your children, and pets if needed. |
| Safety planning or shelter | National Hotline, House of Ruth, or local DV program | Confidential help, shelter screening, legal referrals, and safer next steps. |
| Court protection | Maryland Courts | Protective order or peace order information and filing options. |
| Court closed | District commissioners | Interim protective order help when courts are not open. |
| Hide address | Safe at Home | Ask about address confidentiality and mail forwarding. |
| Food, cash, Medicaid | Maryland Benefits | Apply online or ask your local DSS office for help. |
Protective orders in Maryland
A protective order is Maryland’s court order that can tell another person to stop abusing, threatening, contacting, or coming near you. The Maryland Courts page says protective orders are for certain family, household, sexual, and child-parent relationships. If your relationship does not qualify, a peace order may still be an option.
You can ask the court for many types of safeguards. Depending on the facts, the court may address no contact, staying away from home, work, school, child care, temporary custody, pets, firearms, use of a home, use of a vehicle, and emergency family maintenance. Ask a court clerk, legal clinic, or advocate for help before you file, if there is time and it is safe.
Maryland courts say you can file during court hours at a courthouse. If the court is closed, a District Court commissioner may handle an interim protective order. Some temporary protective order petitions can also be filed electronically from approved places such as a domestic violence program, sexual assault program, child advocacy center, vulnerable adult program, hospital, or another approved location.
| Order type | When it is used | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Interim protective order | When courts are closed. | A commissioner may issue short-term protection and set the next hearing. |
| Temporary protective order | During court business hours after a judge reviews your petition. | It is temporary. Keep track of the next hearing date and service status. |
| Final protective order | After a court hearing, agreement, or evidence. | Ask for the protections you need for yourself, children, housing, work, and school. |
| Peace order | When the relationship does not qualify for a protective order. | Ask the court if a peace order fits your case. |
Tip for moms with children
If child custody, school pickup, child care, phones, car use, or shared housing are part of the danger, tell the advocate or clerk. A protective order may be able to address some of those issues temporarily, but family law rules can be complicated.
Keep your address and case information safer
If sharing your address could put you at risk, ask the court about address privacy before you file. Maryland Courts has an address privacy page for some court filings.
Maryland’s Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program is run by the Office of the Secretary of State. It can give approved participants a substitute address and mail forwarding. The program is for people and families fleeing or at risk from domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment.
Ask a local advocate how to apply. Safe at Home may be most useful when you recently moved, plan to move, or need a safer mailing address for government records, school, voting, or services. It does not replace shelter, police, a protective order, or a personal safety plan.
If a protective order has been issued, Maryland’s VPO service can send notifications about protective order service or status. Do not rely only on automated alerts for safety. Use it as one tool, along with an advocate and the court.
Shelter, advocacy, counseling, and legal help
Domestic violence programs do more than shelter. Depending on the program and funding, they may help with safety planning, legal referrals, court accompaniment, counseling, support groups, basic needs, housing referrals, and help for children who witnessed abuse.
Start with the statewide or local resources below. Availability changes by county, bed space, staffing, and your safety needs. If one program cannot help, ask it to check nearby counties or connect you to 211.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat when it is safe.
- House of Ruth Maryland: Call 410-889-7884. Its legal clinic helps with protective orders, custody, child support, divorce, address confidentiality, and related issues when services are available.
- Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence: Use the provider directory to find programs by county.
- 211 Maryland: The 211 guide can help you search for domestic violence hotlines, shelters, sexual assault support, food, and other local help.
- Maryland People’s Law Library: Its protective orders guide explains court steps in plain language.
- Maryland Legal Aid: Check Legal Aid help for civil legal services and intake options.
- Maryland Courts Help Centers: Use court help for free help with civil court questions. It does not replace a lawyer.
Housing, work, and crime-related costs
Leaving abuse can affect rent, work, transportation, child care, school, and medical care. Maryland has some protections and help paths, but each has rules.
Lease and housing issues
Maryland law allows some tenants or legal occupants who are victims of abuse to end future lease liability after giving written notice and meeting the law’s proof rules. The lease law is specific, so talk with legal aid or a domestic violence legal clinic before you give notice if you can do so safely.
For more housing help, use ASMOM’s Maryland housing guide and rental help page. Those pages can help you think through shelters, eviction prevention, public housing, and other rent options.
Safe leave from work
Maryland’s earned sick and safe leave rules allow covered workers to use leave related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking for medical or mental health care, victim services, legal proceedings, or temporary relocation. The state safe leave notice explains the basic rule. If your employer is unsafe or has denied leave, talk with a lawyer, advocate, or the Maryland Department of Labor.
ASMOM also has a Maryland page on workplace rights that may help if work, pregnancy, leave, or job safety is part of the issue.
Crime victim compensation
The Maryland Criminal Injuries Compensation Board can help some crime victims with eligible crime-related costs. Start with the official CICB page and ask an advocate to help you gather papers. Do not assume approval or a certain payment amount. The board reviews applications under program rules.
Money, food, health care, and child care
Many single mothers need practical help after abuse: food, Medicaid, cash help, child care, diapers, transportation, and counseling. These programs are not domestic violence programs, but they can help you stabilize.
| Program | What it may help with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Food for your household. | Apply through Maryland Benefits or your local DSS office. | You must apply, interview, and verify details. Some households may get faster SNAP if they meet expedited rules. |
| TCA | Cash help for some families with dependent children. | Use TCA information from DHS. | Rules include work and child support cooperation. If child support contact may be unsafe, ask DSS and legal aid before sharing more. |
| Medicaid and MCHP | Health coverage for eligible adults, pregnant people, and children. | Use Maryland’s Medicaid apply page. | You may need to send proof. Keep notices and ask for help if coverage is delayed. |
| WIC | Food, nutrition help, and breastfeeding support for pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children. | Maryland WIC says to make an appointment through a local agency or portal. Start at WIC apply. | You will need proof of identity, address, income, and the people applying. |
| Child Care Scholarship | Child care costs for eligible families. | Use the CCS program page. | Maryland posted an enrollment freeze for new families starting May 1, 2025. Confirm current status before counting on help. |
For more state-specific help, use ASMOM’s Maryland emergency, Maryland SNAP, Maryland TANF, Maryland WIC, Maryland child care, and Maryland health care pages. For baby items, see Maryland baby gear.
Documents and details to gather if safe
You do not need every paper before asking for help. If gathering documents could alert the person hurting you, ask an advocate what matters most. Bring or save copies only when it is safe.
| For this need | Helpful information | Safety note |
|---|---|---|
| Protective order | Dates, places, threats, injuries, police reports, photos, texts, voicemails, witness names, child safety issues. | Do not store proof where the other person can see it. Ask an advocate about safer storage. |
| Shelter or advocacy | County, ages of children, pets, medical needs, school needs, transportation, language needs, accessibility needs. | You can ask what is confidential before giving details. |
| Benefits | Identity, income, rent, utilities, child care costs, Social Security numbers if available, immigration documents if requested. | If another parent finding your address is unsafe, say that before sharing contact information. |
| Lease or job help | Lease, pay stubs, schedule, employer notices, court orders, police reports, advocate letters, medical notes. | Talk to legal aid before giving a landlord or employer private safety details. |
For broader paperwork help, use ASMOM’s Maryland community page or the local resources guide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an unsafe phone. If the other person can see your texts, calls, browser history, location, or email, use a safer device if you can.
- Waiting for every document. You can call a hotline or advocate before you have proof, ID, or a court case.
- Assuming the court knows your needs. Tell the clerk, advocate, or judge about children, child care pickup, school, pets, housing, firearms, phone contact, and car access.
- Missing hearing dates. If you file for a protective order, track every hearing and ask the court what happens next.
- Sharing a new address too quickly. Ask about address privacy, Safe at Home, and safer mailing options before giving a new address to agencies or the other parent.
- Relying on one program. Shelter, benefits, legal aid, child care, and housing help can each have limits. Work several paths when safe.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If a hotline, shelter, or legal office cannot help right away, ask for a referral to another county or nearby program. Ask 211 to search by ZIP code, language, disability access, pets, and children’s ages.
If benefits are denied or closed, save the notice and appeal deadline. Ask DSS what proof is missing. A domestic violence advocate or legal aid office may help you explain safety concerns, address confidentiality, missed appointments, or problems with child support cooperation.
If court paperwork feels confusing, call the Maryland Courts Help Center, ask the clerk for forms, or contact a domestic violence legal clinic. For child support concerns, ASMOM’s Maryland child support page can help you understand the basic system, but talk with an advocate if filing could create safety risks.
Backup options
When the first door is closed, try another path:
- Ask House of Ruth or another DV program to check nearby counties for shelter or legal help.
- Ask 211 for food pantries, hotel voucher programs, community action agencies, and crisis housing in your ZIP code.
- Ask your child’s school counselor or social worker about McKinney-Vento homeless education help if you had to leave home.
- Ask a health clinic, hospital social worker, or therapist for domestic violence referrals and documentation help.
- Use ASMOM’s Maryland mental health guide if counseling or trauma support is needed.
- Use ASMOM’s Maryland grants guide for a wider list of public benefits and local support paths.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a domestic violence hotline
“Hi, I am in Maryland and I need confidential help. I have children with me. I need to know my safest options for shelter, court, and legal help. Can you tell me what information you need and what stays private?”
Calling the court or commissioner
“I need information about filing for a protective order. Is the court open now? If not, where is the nearest District Court commissioner? I also need to ask how to keep my address private.”
Calling DSS about benefits
“I am a single parent in a domestic violence situation and need food, cash, Medicaid, or emergency help. How do I apply today? Before I share an address or child support information, can someone explain safety and confidentiality options?”
Calling an employer or HR
“I need to use safe leave related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Please tell me what notice or documentation you require and how you will keep my information private.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato en Maryland, llame al 911. También puede llamar a la Línea Nacional de Violencia Doméstica al 1-800-799-7233 o enviar START al 88788. En Maryland, House of Ruth Maryland tiene una línea de ayuda las 24 horas: 410-889-7884.
Puede pedir ayuda para seguridad, refugio, una orden de protección, asistencia legal, comida, Medicaid, cuidado infantil y vivienda. Si compartir su dirección puede ser peligroso, pregunte sobre privacidad de dirección y el programa Safe at Home antes de dar una dirección nueva.
Esta guía es información general. No es consejo legal ni un plan de seguridad personal. Hable con una defensora, abogada, tribunal, policía, clínica o agencia oficial para recibir ayuda para su caso.
FAQs about domestic violence help in Maryland
Who should I call first if I am unsafe in Maryland?
Call 911 if you or your children are in immediate danger. If you need confidential planning, shelter referrals, or emotional support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or House of Ruth Maryland at 410-889-7884.
Can a single mother file for a protective order in Maryland?
Yes, if the relationship and facts fit Maryland protective order rules. Maryland Courts says eligible relationships include spouses, former spouses, certain relatives, people with a child together, some sexual relationships, vulnerable adults, and certain sexual assault situations. If the relationship does not qualify, ask about a peace order.
Can I file when the court is closed?
Maryland uses District Court commissioners for interim protective orders when courts are closed. A commissioner can review an emergency petition and set the next court hearing if an order is issued.
Can Maryland help keep my address private?
Maryland Courts has address privacy forms for some court filings. The Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program may also give approved participants a substitute address and mail forwarding. Ask an advocate how to apply.
Can domestic violence affect benefits or child support rules?
It can. Some benefits, such as TCA, may involve child support cooperation or contact with the other parent. If that could put you or your children at risk, tell DSS and contact legal aid or a domestic violence advocate before you share unsafe details.
Can I get help with rent or moving after abuse?
Maybe. Maryland law has a lease termination path for some tenants or legal occupants who are victims of abuse, but the rules are specific. Talk with legal aid or a domestic violence legal clinic before giving notice if you can do so safely.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.