Assistance Programs for Single Moms in Maryland

Single moms can receive help and assistance in all cities and counties across the state of Maryland. Assistance programs aid with free food, housing costs, rent, energy bills, mortgages, free health care, and more.

Maryland Child and Adult Care Food Program
Meals and snacks served in eligible child care centers, adult day care centers, family child care homes, and after-school programs are being reimbursed by the Maryland Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals and snacks must meet specific nutrition requirements, in order to be eligible for cash reimbursement. For more information on the program, please call 410-767-0214.

Maryland School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Schools can now offer a nutritious school breakfast and lunch with the help of the funding provided by the School Breakfast and Lunch Program. Provided that the meal meets established nutrition standards, schools receive Federal funds for each breakfast served. For each meal served to children who qualify because of family income, for free or reduced-price meals, additional funds are provided to schools. For more information call 410-767-0214.

Maryland Special Milk Program
By reducing the cost of milk served to enrolled children, the Special Milk Program assists schools, summer camps, child care centers, and non-profit organization. For more information about eligibility and benefits please call 410-767-0214.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Low-income pregnant, breastfeeding postpartum women and single moms, infants and children up to the age of 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk can receive supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, from the WIC Program. Applicants must be determined by a health professional, at no cost, to be a nutritional risk in order to be fully eligible for the program. For more questions about the WIC program call the Maryland WIC Program at 800-242-4942.

Summer Food Service
Organizations can receive reimbursement from the Maryland Summer Food Service Program for the meals and snacks served to children in areas where at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program, or when 50 percent of the children enrolled in a program qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Reimbursements are offered to organizations for up to two meals or snacks per child per day. Call 410-767-0214 for more information.

Temporary Cash Assistance
When available resources do not fully address the family's needs, one of the components of the Family Investment Program, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) is that provides cash assistance to needy single moms with dependent children. The program also prepares participant for independence through work. For more information, please call 800-332-6347.

Head Start
Head Start is a Federal program that aims to enhance the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children from birth to age five from low income families making sure they are school ready. Language, literacy, and social and emotional development are some area where the program can support a child’s growth. The role of parents is emphasized by the program as their child’s first and most important teacher. To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, call 866-763-6481.

Maryland Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Rental assistance in the form of monthly subsidies or vouchers can be provided to low income single moms with the help of this program. On behalf of the federal government and U.S. Housing and Urban Development department a number of non-profit agencies and public housing authorities administer this program. 800-955-2232 for more questions about the program.

Credit Assistance
Single moms can get help to pay and reduce debts, be offered housing counseling, and be administered general budgeting and financial advice from a number of non-profit organizations across the state of Maryland. To contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling call 800-388-2227.

Financial Aid
Every county across Maryland has a Salvation Army center. Single moms can receive referrals, case management, and as funding allows, may be able to also receive financial assistance for utilities, medications, rent, and other bills.

Maryland Medical Assistance Program
Low-income single mothers and their children can get their medical bills paid for by Medicaid, also called Medical Assistance. The program pays medical bills with Federal and state funds and is administered by the state.
Medicaid coverage is automatically granted to single mothers receiving other public assistance, such as Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Foster Care. Low-income families, pregnant women, children, and aged, blind, or disabled adults may also qualify for Medicaid. You can be eligible for Medicaid and have private health insurance at the same time. The kinds of medical care covered are different for different groups and the rules are different for different groups as well. You should find out for sure about your eligibility for Medical Assistance by filing an application at your Local Department of Social Services, if you need help paying for your own or your family’s medical bills.
Eligibility requirements and benefits are standard across the state. 800-322-6347.

Children’s Health Program (SCHIP)
Single moms, pregnant women of any age, and children up to age 19 who meet income guidelines can receive full health benefits from the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP). Through the Maryland HealthChoice Program, MCHP enrollees obtain care from a variety of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Contact MCHP by calling the department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) MCHP Hotline at 800-456-8900.

Legal Assistance
Providing residents and single mothers with free legal aid, the state of Maryland offers access to lawyers and non-profit law firms. Pro-bono legal assistance for civil matters is also offered. In order to contact Maryland Legal Aid for legal assistance, please call 800-666-8330.

Unemployment Insurance
If eligibility requirements are met, financial assistance is provided through Unemployment Insurance benefits to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. You must have worked in Maryland during the past 12 to 18 months and have earned at least a minimum amount of wages, in order to qualify for this benefit program. Please call the Claimant Information Service for more questions at 800-827-4839.

Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Assistance with home heating bills is offered by the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) to single moms across the state. Your utility company will receive payments on your behalf. For replacing broken or inefficient refrigerators and furnaces there is limited assistance under this program. Contact the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for more information on this program at 800-756-0119.