Last updated: September 30, 2026
If money is tight or your health makes work hard, Maryland has benefits programs that may help. This guide covers 14 of them, from disability income and health coverage to food, energy, tax credits, and child care, with what each does and the official place to apply.
Maryland benefits programs at a glance
| Program | What it helps with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| SSDI | Monthly income when a disability stops you working | Apply with Turnout |
| SSI | Monthly income for disabled or older adults with little income | Apply with Turnout |
| VA Disability | Monthly payments for service-connected conditions | Maryland DVMF |
| Medicaid | Free or low-cost health insurance | Maryland Department of Health |
| ACA Subsidies | Lower monthly premiums for marketplace health plans | Maryland Health Connection |
| Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy | Help using Medicare coverage | Apply with Turnout |
| SNAP | Monthly money for groceries | MarylandBenefits.gov |
| WIC | Healthy food for pregnant people, new parents, and young children | Maryland WIC |
| LIHEAP | Help paying heating and electric bills | Maryland energy assistance |
| TANF | Monthly cash for families with children | MarylandBenefits.gov |
| EITC | A tax refund for working people with lower incomes | IRS |
| Child Tax Credit | A tax credit for families with children | IRS |
| Child Care Assistance (CCAP) | Help paying for child care | MSDE Scholarship Family Portal |
| IEP / Education Advocacy | Special education services for a child with a disability | Apply with Turnout |
Disability and income
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays a monthly benefit to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but now have a medical condition that keeps them from working for at least a year. It is federal, but Maryland's Disability Determination Services (DDS), part of the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), reviews your medical records and makes the disability decision. Amounts change each year, so check the official links. If the paperwork feels like a lot, you can apply with Turnout and get one-on-one help from an advocate.
Official resources: SSA disability benefits, SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet, Maryland Disability Determination Services
SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays a monthly benefit to people with disabilities and adults 65 or older who have little income and few resources. The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs it, and Maryland DDS handles the medical review. Getting SSI also makes you eligible for Maryland Medicaid without a separate application. Where you live and who helps with your bills can change your SSI amount, and Maryland runs Public Assistance to Adults for people in licensed assisted living. You can apply with Turnout for one-on-one help with your SSI application.
Official resources: SSA Supplemental Security Income, How living arrangements affect SSI, Maryland Public Assistance to Adults
VA Disability
VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service. Maryland adds benefits of its own, including a state property tax exemption for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities and their surviving spouses. The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) offers free help from VA-accredited benefits specialists who can help you apply for VA benefits. Turnout does not represent veterans in VA claims.
Official resources: VA disability compensation rates, Maryland DVMF tax exemptions, Maryland state property tax exemptions for veterans
Health coverage
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health insurance for people with limited income, including children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) runs it, and many Marylanders call it Medical Assistance. Maryland expanded Medicaid, so adults can qualify on income alone, and children in families who earn a bit too much may qualify for the Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP), the state's CHIP. Most people apply for Maryland Medicaid through Maryland Health Connection; people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled apply through MarylandBenefits.gov or a local social services office.
Official resources: Maryland Medicaid, Medicaid.gov Maryland state profile
ACA Subsidies
ACA subsidies are federal tax credits that lower the monthly premium on a private health plan bought through a marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Maryland runs its own marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, instead of HealthCare.gov. One application checks you for Medicaid, MCHP, and premium tax credits at once, and Maryland adds its own subsidy, Maryland Premium Assistance. Open enrollment is each fall, and a life change like losing a job can open a special window. Start at Maryland Health Connection to compare plans and see what you might save.
Official resources: Maryland Health Connection financial help, HealthCare.gov lower costs
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and many younger people with disabilities, and healthcare advocacy is one-on-one help using that coverage well. In Maryland, the Department of Aging runs the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free counseling on plan choices, enrollment, and appeals, plus Medicare Savings Programs that help pay Medicare costs. If you want ongoing support with denied claims or medical bills, you can get healthcare advocacy through Turnout and work one-on-one with a trained advocate.
Official resources: Medicare.gov, SSA Medicare, Maryland SHIP Medicare help
Food and nutrition
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) puts money for groceries on an electronic benefits (EBT) card each month for households with limited income. The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) runs it. If you have very little income or cash on hand, you may qualify for expedited benefits, which can arrive within days after a short interview. You can apply online at MarylandBenefits.gov, where one application can also cover cash and energy help, or in person, by mail, or by fax through your local department of social services.
Official resources: Maryland DHS SNAP, USDA SNAP
WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five. In Maryland, the Department of Health oversees WIC, but services come from local WIC agencies in each county and Baltimore City. You do not need other benefits to qualify. To get started, apply for Maryland WIC by calling your local agency or scheduling an appointment through the online client portal.
Official resources: Maryland WIC, USDA WIC
Home and cash help
LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households with limited income pay heating and electric bills. In Maryland, the DHS Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) runs it alongside state programs like the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP). Eligibility is based on income, you do not need a turn-off notice, and you can apply year-round. You can apply for Maryland energy assistance online, by mail, by phone, or in person at your local energy office.
Official resources: Maryland local home energy program offices, LIHEAP Clearinghouse Maryland profile
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds monthly cash help for families with children who are struggling to cover basic needs. In Maryland, it is called Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and is run by DHS. To keep receiving TCA, parents generally take part in work activities and cooperate with child support. Families on TCA also skip the Child Care Scholarship waitlist. You can apply online at MarylandBenefits.gov or at your local department of social services.
Official resources: Maryland Temporary Cash Assistance, ACF state TANF programs
Tax credits
EITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit for people who work and earn a lower or moderate income, and it can lower the tax you owe or add to your refund. Maryland has its own state EITC too, and you may qualify even if you file with an ITIN. You claim it by filing a tax return, even if you are not required to file. See the rules on the IRS Earned Income Tax Credit page, then file for free through IRS Free File.
Official resources: IRS 2026 tax inflation adjustments, IRS Free File, Comptroller of Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a federal tax credit for families with a qualifying child under 17, and part of it may be refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit even if you owe no tax. You and each child need a Social Security number valid for work. Maryland residents claim it on their federal return. Amounts and rules change from year to year, so check the current tax year before you file. See who qualifies and how to claim it on the IRS Child Tax Credit page.
Official resources: IRS Free File
Children and education
Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
Child care assistance helps parents who work or attend school pay for child care. In Maryland, the program is called the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) and is run by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). A partial enrollment freeze began in May 2025, so eligible new families go on a waitlist until funding opens. Families on TCA or SSI, and since July 1, 2026 families experiencing homelessness, skip the waitlist. To apply, create an account on the MSDE Child Care Scholarship Family Portal and apply.
Official resources: MSDE Child Care Scholarship Program, MSDE enrollment freeze and waitlist, ACF Office of Child Care
IEP / Education Advocacy
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan that gives a public school student with a disability the services they need under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In Maryland, the MSDE Division of Special Education oversees services from birth through age 21, and COMAR 13A.05.01 spells out the right to a free appropriate public education. Start by asking your child's school in writing for an evaluation. If meetings feel overwhelming, you can get education advocacy through Turnout and work one-on-one with an advocate who reviews records and attends IEP meetings.
Official resources: U.S. Department of Education IDEA, MSDE Division of Special Education, COMAR 13A.05.01
What this means for you
- Pick the programs that fit your situation right now. Many people qualify for more than one.
- Gather the basics: photo ID, Social Security numbers for your household, proof of income from the last 30 days, and a recent utility bill or lease.
- Use the combined applications. MarylandBenefits.gov covers SNAP, TCA, and energy help in one form, and Maryland Health Connection checks Medicaid, MCHP, and premium help together.
- Ask for help. Local social services offices, WIC agencies, SHIP counselors, and DVMF specialists are free, and Turnout can guide you through disability, healthcare, and education applications.
FAQ
Can I apply for more than one Maryland benefit at the same time?
Yes. MarylandBenefits.gov takes SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance, and energy assistance applications in one form. Maryland Health Connection checks you for Medicaid, MCHP, and premium tax credits at the same time.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get benefits in Maryland?
It depends on the program. Some, like WIC and the Child Care Scholarship, do not require the parent to be a citizen, while others have rules for noncitizens. Check each program's official page before deciding not to apply.
How long does a Maryland disability decision take?
Maryland Disability Determination Services reviews SSDI and SSI applications, and a first decision often takes several months. Complete medical records and quick replies help avoid delays, though no one can promise a timeline or an approval.
Does Turnout charge for help with benefits in Maryland?
Turnout's benefits scan is free, and each service explains its fees before you commit. Disability advocacy is paid only if your claim is approved; other services use a flat fee. Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice.
It's your turn
You do not have to sort through all 14 programs alone. Run Turnout's free Maryland benefits scan to see which programs you may qualify for in a few minutes. From there, apply on your own using the links above or get one-on-one help from a Turnout advocate.