Garrett County Community Resources
211 Maryland hears from residents in Garrett county who need help paying utility bills, finding mental health providers, accessing food pantries, finding shelter and offsetting housing expenses.
You can enter any of those keywords, or another one, in the 211 Community Resource database.
Financial Help With Rent Or A Heating Bill
211 refers many people to the Garrett County Department of Social Services (DSS) in Oakland, Maryland.
Their Emergency Assistance for Families & Children (EAFC) program provides emergency cash to help families avoid eviction. The funds also help address emergency fuel/heating shortages.
The funds are available every 24 months, and there must be a child under 21 living in the household. You’ll also need to show proof that you can maintain ongoing rent and utility bills.
State Energy Assistance Grants
There are also Maryland Energy Assistance grants available from the Office of Home Energy Programs. 211's guide to utility assistance makes it easy to navigate the application, so your request for utility assistance doesn’t get delayed.
If you need further help with the utility grant application, the Garrett County Community Action Committee offers assistance. Avoid long wait times with an appointment.
Emergency Help
Have you turned to other agencies for help but are still not getting the resources you need?
For more than 40 years, the House of Hope in Oakland has offered short-term emergency help to those who can’t get help anywhere else. The goal is to serve as a safety net to make sure nobody falls through the cracks.
The House of Hope is a nonprofit “network of concern” whose members assist with unmet critical emergency needs in Garrett County. That includes:
- food
- heating oil
- emergency housing
The nonprofit has four free emergency food pantries in Hoyes, Grantsville, Deer Park and Oakland.
Find Help in A Neighboring County
Help may also be available in nearby counties. Some organizations provide help to the neighboring areas. Find the top resources in Allegany County.
Dial 211
Talk to a caring and compassionate person 24/7. They can also connect you to resources.
explore assistance programs
Learn about benefit programs and how to connect with support.
Housing
Rental payments, eviction prevention, homeless shelters.
Utilities
Electric, gas, and water bill assistance programs.
Taxes
Free tax preparation help, software, tax credits
explore assistance programs
Learn about benefit programs and how to connect with support.
Utilities
Electric, gas, and water bill assistance programs
Housing
Rental payments, eviction prevention, homeless shelters
Taxes
Free tax preparation help, software, tax credits
