211 can help connect you to resources in Baltimore City. You can:
- Call 2-1-1
- Search for resources in the 211 database, based on your need.
- Call a Baltimore City Community Action Partnership (BCCAP) Center. It's a one-stop resource for utilities, water, and rental help. There are CAP centers in the following ZIP codes: 21213, 21212, 21215, 21225, 21224. Find a CAP center and the appropriate transit routes to get there.
- If you're a new American, download the Welcome to Baltimore Guide, available in multiple languages or find services by category from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Baltimore City has financial assistance programs you may qualify for. Learn about the programs for water bills, housing, security deposits, internet, taxes, and other financial support below.
Baltimore City Water Bill Assistance
Do you need help paying your Baltimore City water bill? There are alternative payment plan options, medical exemptions and the water discount program – Water4All assistance program, which replaced BH20.
CAP Centers can also help with these programs.
What Is Water4All?
It’s a water billing discount program that provides equitable access to water for all residents. It also provides a fair process for customers before service is shut off or a lien is imposed.
The program lasts for one year, and then you need to reapply.
Who Qualifies For Baltimore City Water Program?
The Water4All program is available to households with income below 200% of the federal poverty level. As of recent guidelines, a family of four would have a household income of less than $55,000 per year.
In addition to the income requirement, the Baltimore City resident must also have their name on the water bill and be responsible for paying the city for the service.
Tenants who do not have their name on the water bill, may also qualify if their lease states they are responsible. Read the city’s FAQs for detailed eligibility requirements.
Utility Assistance
If you need help paying your other utility bills, there are programs available to help through the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP). Grants are available for heat, electricity, past-due accounts and weatherization.
The Arrearage Retirement Assistance program helps customers pay large, past-due bills. These are bills greater of $300 or more. Customers are eligible for up to $2,000 on past-due balances once every five years.
BGE also has programs available to lower the amount you pay each month. pay a past-due balance and lower your monthly usage and costs.
The Fuel Fund is also an option for eligible BGE customers.
You can learn more about the utility assistance available to Maryland residents and how to apply for the grants on 211’s utility assistance resource guide or reach out a Baltimore City CAP center for help applying for an OHEP program.
Get Up To $45 For Internet
If you need help paying for the internet, you may qualify for a discount of up to $45 a month. You'll get:
- $30 a month from the federal Affordable Connectivity Program plus
- $15 a month from the Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit (MEBB)
You may also qualify for up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer.
Do I qualify?
Qualifications may change, but typically you're eligible if you:
- Have income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
- Receive other assistance like SNAP (food stamps), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Lifeline, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, etc.
- Receive Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Receive benefits from the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program
View the most recent qualifications guidelines.
How to enroll
To get the federal and Maryland benefit, up to $45, you have to apply to the federal Affordable Connectivity Program.
Here are the steps the enroll:
- Apply to the program.
- Contact an internet company to get your benefit. Both the federal and Maryland benefits require federal registration.
- Get a monthly discount.
Free Food
There are several options for free food in Baltimore. The Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success has a resource center for youth and family meals to find free food near you.
You can also search the 211 resource database for food or call 2-1-1 to find pantries and other food resources in Baltimore City.
If you need help paying for groceries, you can apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly food stamps) or use the SHARE Food Network to buy reduced-cost groceries. The nonprofit provides healthy groceries at about half the retail cost. Menus are updated every month.
Baltimore City Housing Help
Baltimore City has two housing programs that can help you. One is a navigation program to help you navigate the housing process and the other program provides financial help with a security deposit.
Baltimore City Housing Navigation
The Baltimore City Housing Navigation program can help you understand your housing situation and find short-term and long-term support. The navigators are available for free at five Pratt Library locations.
They'll help you identify community resources to prevent a housing crisis or support you if you're homeless. They'll connect you to an emergency shelter if available, complete the application for housing resources if you're homeless, and help you find long-term housing.
Housing navigators are available throughout the week, typically Monday through Friday from 11 am to 4 pm. The hours are slightly different at the Southeast Anchor Library. Help is not available on Tuesday at that library, but you can receive help on Saturday.
You can call the program at each library for additional information:
- Central Library - 443-401-9750 - 400 Cathedral Street
- Pennsylvania Avenue Library - 443-401-9759 - 1531 W. North Ave.
- Waverly Library - 410-458-9113 - 400 E. 33rd Street
- Southeast Anchor Library - 443-571-3679 - 3601 Eastern Ave.
- Brooklyn Library - 443-615-1232 - 300 E. Patapsco Ave.
Baltimore City Security Deposit Help
Baltimore City’s Security Deposit Assistance program helps eligible families secure housing by paying up to $1,800 for the security deposit. It's a one-time grant. You can't use the grant to cover housing that is subsidized or if you receive federal housing help.
It's a program through the Mayor's Office of Children & Family Success.
Who Is Eligible?
Baltimore City tenants are eligible for the security deposit help if they have experienced negative financial impact from COVID-19 and have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Media Income. The qualifying income varies each year, but recent guidelines set the qualifying income at $78,500 for a family of four. The thresholds can change and $54,950 for a single-person household.
Financial Support
If you need other financial support, cal 2-1-1 to speak with a trained resource specialist who can help you find local resources near you.
Department Of Social Services
The Department of Social Services (DSS) may also be able to help. They have discretionary funds, subject to availability, to assist with emergencies. The Emergency Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC) grant provides support once every 24 months, when funds are available, to families experiencing a household emergency such as a utility bill. You must have a related child living in the home under the age of 21.
There are also several other grants and assistance programs available through DSS to provide emergency support to families. These may cover vehicle repairs needed to get a job, job-related equipment, household emergencies or needs of a child reunifying with their family.
There are DSS Public Assistance Centers located throughout Baltimore City in ZIP codes 21213, 21225, 21229, 21217 and 21223.
There are also local nonprofit organizations that may be able to support your needs. Call 2-1-1 to find an organization near you or search the database for additional resources.
Free Tax Preparation in Baltimore
In Baltimore, the Cash Campaign of Maryland provides free tax preparation help. Individuals or households who earn $60,000 or less may qualify for free tax help. Call 410-234-8008 Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for an appointment. You can also make an appointment for tax assistance in Baltimore through the CASH Campaign's online scheduling tool.
Locations are spread out throughout Baltimore including Central, West, Northwest, North, and East Baltimore. There are also locations in Baltimore County.
Learn more about free tax assistance programs in Maryland or search the 211 database for a location near you.
