Get Help / Financial
Financial Get information on financial assistance resources.
If you are struggling financially, please visit our other Get Help pages for resources that can help you with various needs (especially our Multiple Needs page, which contains information on organizations that provide financial assistance, in addition to other types of help).
If you cannot find what you're looking for from the information below, call us at (240) 777-4940 (Mon to Fri, 9am—5pm) or visit us at one of our locations to ask about programs that can help you.
COVID-19 Resources
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund
- Assists homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments or other housing costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For assistance applying, call 833-676-0119, Mon-Fri, 8am to 7pm
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- Financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.
Montgomery County Financial Assistance Resources
- Find information on financial resources, unemployment insurance, and more.
COVID-19 Financial Relief Guide (State of Maryland)
- Provides information for consumers, including student loan relief, foreclosure prevention, avoiding scams, and more.
Utilities
Montgomery County Information on Utility Assistance
- Visit link above to learn what to do if you are unable to pay your utility bills.
- Provides help with past due bills for heating and electricity, as wells as an ongoing benefit. If you are at risk of a shut off, call 240‐777‐4450.
- See the presentation from the 2023 Community Navigation Forum for more information about the County's Utility Assistance and Weatherization programs for low-income residents. (Powerpoint presentation: Slides 14-25) (Presentation recording)
Financial assistance programs for water and sewer bills
- Call 1-800-332-6347 to have an application mailed to you, or visit http://mymdthink.maryland.gov/ to apply.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
- Provides financial assistance for water and/or wastewater bills.
- Financial assistance for energy bills
- What to do in case of utility shut off or late fees
- Provides information on how to get help with your utility bills, including Community Resources Guides in English and Spanish.
Unemployment Insurance
Maryland Department of Labor: 667-207-6520
- If you have lost your job, visit the Maryland Department of Labor website to find out if you are eligible for unemployment insurance and file a claim.
- Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Recreation
Montgomery County Recreation's Financial Aid Program
- Rec Assist is provided by Montgomery County Recreation to make financial assistance available to County residents who receive public assistance.
General Resources
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Administers public benefit programs such as SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Temporary Cash Assistance, Temporary Disability Assistance, emergency housing, burial assistance, utility assistance programs, etc.
- Get information on how to apply for programs during COVID: English / Español.
- For questions about program eligibility, contact the Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS) at 240-777-1003 or OESS.MOCO@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Emergency Financial Assistance Desk Guide:
- Provides information on County programs and nonprofit organizations which can assist residents with emergency financial assistance needs, including rent and utility assistance, prescription assistance, etc.
Catholic Charities: 301-942-1790 option 0, 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902
- Provides rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.
- Emergency Financial Assistance: 240-641-6307
- See the presentation from the 2023 Community Navigation Forum for more information about Interfaith Works' Emergency Financial Assistance program, and the Emergency Assistance Coalition for providers who serve low-income residents. (Powerpoint presentation: Slides 1-13) (Presentation recording)
- Clothing and Home Goods Assistance: 301-424-3796
- Food Assistance: 301-905-6123
Salvation Army Emergency Assistance : 301-277-6103, Monday-Friday 9am to 3pm; 20021 Aircraft Drive Germantown, MD 20874
- Provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities.
Neighborhood Safety Net Program (Sheppard Pratt)
- Gaithersburg: 301-840-3240; East County: 240-777-4479
- Case management, referrals, assistance applying for government programs. Can provide emergency financial assistance in limited circumstances.
- Provides financial assistance for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and medical care for Muslims in need. Also provides social services and referrals.
Tax Preparation Assistance
VITA Program: 240-777-1123; VITA@montgomerycountymd.gov- Free in-person and virtual appointments available for Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $60,000 or less. Visit website for information on how to make an appointment and other helpful tax resources. All VITA sites serve taxpayers filing with ITINs.
- Free tax preparation for low and moderate income taxpayers at many locations throughout the County.
- Free tax preparation services for Maryland residents with household incomes of $60,000 or less. Can also assist with ITIN applications. CASA is a membership-based organization.
- Can schedule online and in-person appointments for assistance with state taxes.
- To get answers to general questions and get free assistance on Maryland income taxes:
- Call Taxpayer Services at: 410-260-7980 or 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937), or e-mail your tax questions to: taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov
- IRS Free File lets you prepare and file your federal income tax online using guided tax preparation, at an IRS partner site, or Free File Fillable Forms. ( English) ( Español) (More languages available on IRS Free File site)
- Learn about free tax preparation for qualifying taxpayers, including seniors, persons with disabilities, limited-English speaking individuals, and those making $60,000 or less. ( English) ( Español) (More languages available on IRS website)
Financial Education & Coaching
Money Management International (English) (Español): 866-889-9347- Free help in English and Spanish for debt management, housing (foreclosure and eviction) counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and financial education.
- Provides free financial coaching and education to Montgomery County residents.
- Provides free financial coaching to residents of the City of Gaithersburg (zip codes served: 20877, 20878, 20879). In-person appointments available at Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center's Gaithersburg office, Fridays, 10am-2:30pm. See flyer (English / Español) for details.