Support for Residents Navigating Recent Federal Changes

How can I apply for food assistance?

Low-income households can get food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). An application can be completed through your local social services agency or benefits.maryland.gov.

Recent federal legislation expanded the work requirements for SNAP and increased the share of funding that each state is responsible for, which experts say may result in people losing their benefits.

I lost SNAP benefits, or I’m worried I will. Where can I get food?

The Anne Arundel County Food Bank maintains a pantry and resource list with dozens of community-based food pantries across the county. The Maryland Food Bank also maintains a searchable list.

The USDA and Hunger Free America also operate a National Hunger Hotline, which can help you find food resources, food banks, and other social services. You can reach the hotline by phone at 1-866-348-6479 or text the service at 914-342-7744.

Is there food assistance specifically for seniors?

The county’s Department of Aging and Disabilities has meal programs for seniors, including a home-delivered meal program and congregate meals served at locations such as senior centers, senior housing, and community centers.

Is there food assistance specifically for children?

Anne Arundel County Public Schools offers free or reduced-price meals to eligible students. Applications should be completed by a parent or guardian.

How do I know if I’m eligible for Medicaid?

Medicaid is a government program that helps cover medical expenses for families with lower incomes. Eligibility depends on the amount of money you earn, how old you are and how large your family is, among other factors. You can visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website for more eligibility information.

To apply for Medicaid, visit marylandhealthconnection.gov or call 1-855-642-8572. 

It’s important to know that you must renew your Medicaid coverage every 12 months and report changes to your income or household, and that under recent changes made by the federal government, this renewal process will increase in frequency to every 6-months beginning in 2026. Changes that should be reported include getting married or divorced, getting pregnant, having or adopting a child, and certain changes in income, among other things.

What if I lose Medicaid coverage?

You can appeal a decision to deny, suspend, end, or reduce your Medicaid coverage within 90 days of when you received notice. The process for that appeal depends on whether your health care is through Medicaid or a Medicaid-managed plan. More information is available on the state’s Health Department website.

What are my other health insurance options?

If Medicaid is not an option, there are low-cost health insurance options available through Maryland Health Connection, the state’s marketplace for health coverage. 

You can enroll through Maryland Health Connection within 60 days of losing Medicaid coverage, or during the open enrollment period beginning on Nov. 1. There are other opportunities for special enrollment, outlined on the Health Connection website. 

To prevent gaps in health coverage, you can also apply and enroll in a marketplace plan before your Medicaid coverage ends, according to healthcare.gov. 

The Maryland Health Connection is advising that people plan for higher costs in 2026 as the extra savings provided through the “enhanced premium tax credits” are expected to end. 

Where can I get help with medical bills or low-cost medical treatment?

Anne Arundel County’s Department of Health has a list of local low-cost health care resources, including health clinics, dental care locations, and medication providers. The county advises calling for an appointment or further information before visiting the locations. 

Hospitals in Maryland have financial assistance policies, available for review on the Maryland Hospital Association’s website. The People’s Law Library also has a list of special programs to help with prescription costs, including an AIDS drug assistance program and a senior prescription program.

What do I do if I’ve been terminated as a result of the federal shutdown or federal layoffs?

If you have recently become unemployed, you can file for unemployment insurance with the state’s Department of Labor. The state will provide up to 26 weeks of temporary financial assistance to people who qualify. 

If you qualify for the payments, to meet the state’s work search requirements, you will be required to log weekly work search activities and complete a weekly certification in the state’s unemployment insurance portal, BEACON. 

To work toward those requirements, register in the Maryland Workforce Exchange. There, you will be asked to upload or create your resume, complete at least three valid reemployment activities each week and keep a weekly record.

What specific resources exist for former federal workers?

Maryland has created specialized resources for federal workers who have lost their job or been otherwise impacted by recent actions. You can find more information about the actions taken to support that population at response.maryland.gov/federalpublicservants.

The state’s labor department has an FAQ page regarding unemployment insurance. The state has also created a no-interest loan option for former federal workers experiencing financial hardship. 

Additionally, the state has a virtual workshop on Wednesdays from 9 to noon with information targeted towards former federal employees and contractors. To join, you can email fedworker.transition@maryland.gov. 

I need help with my job search, where can I look?

The Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation offers a wide range of services designed to meet your unique career needs, including a featured jobs list, hiring fairs and career readiness workshops, and other reemployment assistance including individual career coaching, resume and interview preparation, and skills training. 

Individuals can also receive resume help, career guidance, a skills assessment and other offerings through the state’s American Job Centers and the Professional Outplacement Assistance Center. The Maryland Department of Labor also has a list of upcoming recruitments and job fairs. 

Anne Arundel County is dedicated to ensuring federal employees can easily apply for open Anne Arundel County Government positions. For a list of current job openings with the county, click here. 

Residents can also take advantage of many free and valuable educational services available at the Anne Arundel County Public Library, including resume help and interview coaching with JobNow, skills training through LinkedIn Learning and Udemy courses, Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout, and other resources.

I need work or volunteer hours for federal benefits. Where can I find volunteer opportunities?

Volunteer opportunities with county agencies include: 

• Assisting a local library branch with books, crafts or projects
• Volunteering at local parks
• Becoming a youth sports coach
• Assisting with Department of Aging & Disabilities programs
• Helping the police or fire departments
• Assisting citizens register to vote 

You can also volunteer with local nonprofits. Anne Arundel County’s nonprofit events hub has a database of service activities and events. Other resources to find volunteer opportunities include justserve.org, idealist.org and Americorps.gov/join/findvolunteeropportunity. 

I own my own business or am thinking of starting a business, how can I get help?

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation provides a wide array of valuable resources including confidential, no-cost business consulting and mentorship, regulatory and real estate guidance, economic research, and low-interest loans with flexible payment terms.

How can I find help paying my rent?  How can I get help with paying my mortgage?

The state Department of Housing and Community Development operates a Resources for Renters page, which includes helpful information around finding affordable housing, rental assistance, eviction or homelessness prevention, and links for veterans, individuals with disabilities, and older adults. For example, you could apply at a local department of social services for the Homelessness Prevention Program, or fill out an application for Emergency Assistance to Families with Children, which can go toward rent, utilities or other emergency payments.

Anne Arundel County’s Housing Resource Portal offers a broad range of housing-related resources and allows residents to search for programs and resources that serve their needs including financial assistance, eviction or foreclosure prevention, temporary and permanent housing, mortgage assistance programs, and emergency assistance for individuals who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness. 

One state benefit you might consider applying for is the state’s renter tax credit, which is premised on the notion that renters indirectly pay property taxes as part of rent and could mean a payment of up to $1,000 from the State of Maryland. 

The state’s 211 system can also help connect you to local agencies for help with rent.

Where do I go for questions about housing vouchers?

Your go-to for questions or applications for housing vouchers, which are rental subsidies funded by the federal government for families or individuals to use for housing payments, is the local public housing agency. 

In Anne Arundel County, that is the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County. The office’s in-person resource center is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at its Glen Burnie office and available by phone at 410-222-6205. 

Information about registering or getting onto a housing waitlist is available at hcaac.com/apply.

What are my rights around housing?

The Attorney General of Maryland has an overview of rental housing laws and the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. The website offers guidelines around applications, leases, security deposits, eviction and other topics. The office also offers a more detailed guide published in English and Spanish. 

The People’s Law Library of Maryland similarly has an FAQ page for a variety of potential disputes and topics. 

If your issue rises to the level of requiring a mediator, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division may be able to help to resolve a dispute, if you qualify.

Where can I find information about childcare options?

Maryland EXCELS is a state ranking system that helps families to identify childcare options that reach national quality standards. Its database of programs – including school-age programs, child care centers, family child care homes, and public pre-K offerings – is located at findaprogram.marylandexcels.org. 

The state’s Division of Early Childhood, part of the Department of Education, has guidance on how to contact and interview potential providers. 

Are there scholarships available for childcare?

The state’s Child Care Scholarship Program has been temporarily paused, as of May 1. 
However, you can still apply for the program and, if you qualify, you’ll be added to a waitlist, also known as a “frozen status” list. When the freeze is lifted, you could receive a scholarship. 

Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Temporary Cash Assistance or Supplemental Security Income aren’t subject to the frozen status and can apply at any time. Families who are already receiving a scholarship and would like to add a new child are also not subject to the freeze.

How can I find information about prekindergarten, or pre-K?

There is a publicly funded pre-K program in Maryland for four-year-old children from lower income families or from families who are experiencing homelessness. 

The program, delivered by each county in Maryland, helps children develop and maintain the skills they’ll need to be successful in subsequent grades. 

To enroll your child, the state advises you contact your neighborhood school directly. A county-by-county directory , including Anne Arundel’s schools, is available at the Department of Human Services’ website.

What financial assistance exists for families with children?

You may be eligible for other financial benefits, such as Temporary Cash Assistance, the Food Supplemental Program or Social Security benefits. More information is available at childcare.gov. 

The Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families’ Systems of Care is a warmline answered in English and Spanish by specialists who help connect children, youth, and their families to community resources. Their hours of operation are 9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Where can I turn to for mental health resources?

The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency’s website has a list of resources available to you. 

The county’s crisis warmline, which provides 24/7 support for mental health and substance use disorder support, can be reached at 410-768-522. For immediate help in an emergency, please call 911. 

National support hotlines include the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which you can call or text at 988; the SAMSHA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990; and the NAMI Teen and Young Adult Hotline at 1-800-950-6264.

Additionally, the county’s substance use treatment referral line is available during business hours, Monday through Friday, at 410-222-0117. 
For further resources, you can also visit the county’s Behavioral Health Bureau website. 

What are my rights around immigration and ICE?

Anne Arundel County’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) has a 2025 Resource Guide available online that includes guidelines for interacting with enforcement agencies and family preparedness suggestions. The guide is translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Urdu.

Guidance is also available from CASA, which serves and advocates for immigrant communities nationwide, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a national organization dedicated to protecting Constitutional rights, and the National Immigration Law Center. 

Immigration enforcement information for Marylanders is also available online through the state’s Department of Human Services.

How does Immigration Enforcement work in Maryland schools?

Children have a right to public education regardless of the immigration status of their parents or guardians, as noted in the state Department of Education’s guidance. Federal and state laws protect education records, as well as personal information. 

To learn more about the process and for specific resources for families or educators, the department’s website has a series of links, memos and guides.

Are there local resources to help support immigrant communities?

Anne Arundel’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is geared toward partnering, collaborating, and assisting the county’s diverse populations. The office’s website has more information on initiatives and ways to get involved.

The office also has information about a public-private partnership called the Family Protection Initiative that aims to support nonprofits working to provide legal assistance and crisis support services to vulnerable residents.

Where do I turn for health and mental health resources?

For help with a mental health or substance use emergency, you can call 988 at any time of day or night. Though the federal government has mandated changes to the 988 Helpline, local Maryland call takers through the 988 system are trained to provide resources to the LGBTQIA+ community and can point callers toward local and national resources.

The Trevor Project, dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, is also a resource for crisis support – and can be reached via online chat, phone and texting. The Trans Lifeline provides peer support and connection to resources. 

The state Department of Health has a list of LGBTQ+ health care services, including transgender health services, connection to HIV/AIDS treatment or testing, and support for intimate partner or domestic violence.

What organizations in Maryland are available to help the LGBTQIA+ population?

The Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs has a long list of resources, including local pride centers and PFLAG chapters. In Anne Arundel, that includes PFLAG Annapolis/Anne Arundel County, the Anne Arundel Affirming Alliance and Annapolis Pride.

FreeState Justice is a legal advocacy organization that can assist low-income LGBTQ+ Marylanders through policy work and free legal services.

Where can I go for support as a veteran or military family? 

The county’s Veterans Services Coordination Center is a single access point for local, state, and federal government services and resources available to veterans and their families. Individuals can call 410-222-3500 to get connected.

What care is available for older adults?

The Information and Assistance Program serves as the Maryland Access Point (MAP) for Anne Arundel County. This single entry point system can help older residents and their families seeking long-term support services connect to community resources. 

What transportation services are available to me?

The Office of Transportation operates a variety of fixed route and on-demand transit services throughout the county. All transit routes are free.