If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Maryland-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: manage cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim through the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) BEACON portal and certify weekly.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Supplement Program) and Maryland Health Connection (Medicaid and Marketplace) through the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). Check eligibility for WIC through the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).
- Keep the heat and lights on: Apply for OHEP (Office of Home Energy Programs) assistance and LIHEAP through Maryland DHS.
Contact BGE, PEPCO, or Delmarva Power for payment or energy assistance options. - Housing stability: Find rent, mortgage, and eviction prevention help through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and HUD Maryland.
- One-stop referrals: Dial 2-1-1 Maryland or visit the website for statewide help with food, rent, utilities, and legal aid.
🔗 Links & Resources (Maryland)
Income & Jobs
Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance:
🔗 https://labor.maryland.gov/employment/unemployment.shtml
BEACON Unemployment Portal:
🔗 https://beacon.labor.md.gov/
Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE):
🔗 https://mwejobs.maryland.gov/
Food Access
SNAP (Food Supplement Program):
🔗 https://dhs.maryland.gov/food-supplement-program/
Apply via MyMDTHINK:
🔗 https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children):
🔗 https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/wic/Pages/Home.aspx
Maryland Food Bank:
🔗 https://mdfoodbank.org/find-food/
Health Coverage
Maryland Health Connection (Marketplace & Medicaid):
🔗 https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/
Apply for Health Coverage:
🔗 https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/
Community Health Centers:
🔗 https://www.mdpca.org/find-health-center/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP):
🔗 https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance):
🔗 https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/energy-assistance/
BGE Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://www.bge.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx
PEPCO Customer Assistance:
🔗 https://www.pepco.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/Assistance.aspx
Delmarva Power Assistance:
🔗 https://www.delmarva.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/Assistance.aspx
Housing
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD):
🔗 https://dhcd.maryland.gov/
HUD Maryland:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/maryland
Homeless Services Directory:
🔗 https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/HomelessServices.aspx
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 Maryland:
🔗 https://211md.org/
Community Action Agencies in Maryland:
🔗 https://www.maryland-cap.org/
Legal Help
Maryland Legal Aid:
🔗 https://www.mdlab.org/
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland:
🔗 https://probonomd.org/
Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP):
🔗 https://hprplaw.org/
Disability Rights Maryland:
🔗 https://disabilityrightsmd.org/
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.