Montgomery County

Utility Help 

There are state and local programs to support individuals and families who need help paying their utility bills. 211 has detailed information on the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), including eligibility and how to fill out the application. You can also get local help with the state grant applications from the Montgomery County Office of Home Energy Programs.

In Montgomery County, there are also community groups like WUMCO Help which support residents in Western Upper Montgomery County (see specific ZIP Codes below) and the Fuel Fund of Maryland which helps BG&E customers. These organizations may be able to offset the cost of utility bills.

You may also be able to set up a payment plan with your utility provider.

 

Financial Help

If you need financial help, several community groups may be able to help. The service areas are often ZIP Code specific. 211 Information and Referral Specialists can help you find the best organization for your needs and location. Dial 2-1-1.

WUMCO HELP

WUMCO HELP provides financial help to the following ZIP Codes: 20837 (Poolesville), 20838 (Barnesville), 20839 (Beallsville), 20841 (Boyds) and 20842 (Dickerson). They can help individuals and families who qualify for services, assistance with bills associated with daily living.

They also have a food pantry and provide rides to medical or social service appointments.

Gaithersburg HELP

Gaithersburg HELP can financially help Gaithersburg residents (see eligible ZIP Codes) with food, diapers and formulas for babies. They may also offset some costs of prescription medication and provide some transportation to medical or social service appointments within 20 miles of downtown Gaithersburg.

Eligible ZIP Codes include 20877, 20878, 20879, 20880, 20886 and parts of 20850 (west of Shady Grove Rd and north of Piney Meetinghouse Rd), 20855 (west of Redland Rd/Muncaster Rd), 20822 (south of Bring Rd and west of Olney-Laytonsville Rd).

Damascus HELP

If you live in another Upper Montgomery County ZIP Code, call Damascus HELP (20871, 20872, 20882, north of Brink Rd and 20876 from Route 27 north of Brink Rd.) They may also help people who live in Monrovia (Frederick County just over the Montgomery County line).

Other HELP programs and support agencies

In Rockville, you can try Rockville HELP. They also have a specific service area too.

Olney HELP supports Olney, Brookeville, Sandy Spring, Ashton and Brinklow.

Mid-County United Ministries (MUM) supports Kensington, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Rockville and Aspen Hill. They may be able to provide emergency food and financial support to those in crisis. Their goal is to keep utilities on, provide prescription medication to those in need and help feed families.

If you live in another area, call 2-1-1 to find a resource near you.

 

Find Food in Montgomery County

Do you need help with the rising cost of food? If one of the HELP agencies can't help, you can find a Montgomery County food distribution event near you by searching the county's food calendar. Check the details of each event, as some are limited to seniors or certain ZIP codes while others are open to the general public.

Manna Food Center

The Manna Food Center has food programs for families, including a mobile kitchen, pop-up pantry and school-based programs. They collect and share up to 3.3 million pounds of food each year with approximately 12,000 families.

You can place Manna orders, which include a box of pantry staples like beans, pasta, canned vegetables and canned fruits, a box of fresh fruits and vegetables and a bag of frozen meat. Learn about qualification guidelines or find a distribution site in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Manna Choice Market at the Grove or Silver Spring.

211 food resources

You can also search for food with 211's resource database and find resources and information on food stamps and WIC.