Montgomery County
Whether you live in Silver Springs, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, White Oak, Glen Echo, or anywhere else in Montgomery County, help is available.
Find food pantries, housing support, and utility assistance near you. Search the 211 Community Resource Database for the type of help you need and your ZIP code.
Utility Programs
Help is available for individuals and families struggling to pay utility bills.
The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), administered by the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), helps eligible households with heating costs. Additional programs are also available through OHEP to help with electric bills and other energy expenses.
The Montgomery County Office of Home Energy Programs is available to help with completing the OHEP application.
Learn about eligibility, how the program works, and how to apply in 211's Guide to Utility Assistance.
In addition to state programs, local organizations in Montgomery County may be able to help with utility bills and other household expenses.
WUMCO Help helps provide financial assistance to eligible residents in Western Upper Montgomery County (see specific ZIP Codes below), including help with utility bills, household bills, and other daily living expenses.
Eligible BGE customers may also qualify for assistance through the Fuel Fund of Maryland to help prevent utility shutoffs.
Payment plans may also be available directly through utility providers to help manage past-due balances.
Food and other Essential Help in Montgomery County
Several community organizations in Montgomery County provide financial assistance, food, and other essential services. Some serve residents throughout the county, while others provide support based on specific ZIP codes.
211 Information and Referral Specialists can also help you find the best organization for your needs and location. Simply dial 211.
Manna Food Center
The Manna Food Center provides food boxes for Montgomery County residents at locations throughout the county, including Gaithersburg, Germantown, Manna Choice Market at the Grove, and Silver Spring.
Call the main office to get food at 301-424-1130, choose a day and distribution site, and then pick up the food with a valid ID showing a Montgomery County address.
Each food box includes pantry staples, fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat.
WUMCO HELP
WUMCO HELP provides financial assistance and other essential services to eligible Western Upper Montgomery County individuals, including:
- food pantry
- transportation for social services and medical appointments
- financial assistance (household bills like utilities)
- healthcare access
- English as a second language classes
There may be eligibility for some of the programs. WUMCO Help offers assistance to people living in the following ZIP codes:
- 20837 (Poolesville)
- 20838 (Barnesville)
- 20839 (Beallsville)
- 20841 (Boyds)
- 20842 (Dickerson)
WUMCO HELP also provides a mobile health clinic several times a month for primary care, dental services, and mental and behavioral health services.
Gaithersburg HELP
Gaithersburg HELP can provide financial assistance to Gaithersburg residents (see eligible ZIP Codes) for:
- food
- baby food or formula
- baby formula
- prescriptions
- the cost of vision exams and prescription glasses
- transportation (up to 18 rides per year for seniors and adults with a disability)
Gaithersburg HELP may also provide additional financial assistance for gas if needed to get to and from work, school, or medical appointments. They also offer some bus tokens and Goodwill vouchers.
Eligible ZIP Codes include:
- 20877
- 20878
- 20879
- 20880
- 20886
- 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)
Bethesda Help
Food help is available from Bethesda Help for residents living in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, and parts of Potomac, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. Enter your address to see if you're within the service area.
They deliver food to eligible residents.
Damascus HELP
If you live in another ZIP Code in Upper Montgomery County, Damascus HELP may be able to provide assistance.
They offer help to people living in these ZIP codes:
- 20871 east of I-270
- 20872
- 20882 north of Brink Rd
- 20876 from Route 27 north of Brink Rd.
- Monrovia (Frederick County) on a case-by-case basis
- 20841 only at Rt. 355 to I-270
Rockville HELP
For Rockville residents, connect with Rockville HELP. They offer financial help when referred by a social worker. They also offer food help, with no referral needed. And provide limited help with rent and utility payments.
Their service area is bounded by Redland Road, Needwood Road, and Muncaster Mill Road on the north, and by Norbeck and Rock Creek Trail on the east. The boundaries on the southern end of Montgomery County are Randolph and Montrose Roads, and then the Rockville City limits on the west.
Olney HELP
For those living in Olney, Maryland, connect with Olney HELP. They've been supporting the local community since 1969.
Olney HELP offers emergency food assistance, providing a 3-5-day supply of basics. They also offer limited financial help to prevent eviction, foreclosure, utility shut-offs, and to help buy essential medications. They also work with other community providers to make referrals.
Go Rides (Greater Olney Rides) provides free rides for seniors to medical appointments, social gatherings in Montgomery County, or the store.
Montgomery County Food Calendar
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.
Other Resources
The Upper Montgomery Assistance Network (UMAN) is a single point of entry for help. They can help with housing, preventing homelessness, and provide assistance for those who've lost a vital utility service.
Assistance provided is paid directly to the utility company or landlord.
They help families in certain Gaithersburg (20877, 20878, 20879, 20882), Germantown (20874, 20876), and Derwood (20855) ZIP codes who are facing eviction or utility shut-off.
To receive help, applicants will need a court order or a disconnect notice.
Mid-County United Ministries
They offer support to residents living in these ZIP codes:
- 20853
- 20895
- 20896
- 20901
- 20902
- 20906
- 20910
- 20912
Mid-County United Ministries offers rent help to prevent eviction, utility disconnection, access to emergency medications, and food.
Request an appointment for help.
Connect with 211
Search for food using the 211 Community Resource Database. Search by ZIP code and essential need like food, housing, or utilities to find nearby resources.
Need food assistance like food stamps/SNAP or WIC? Read 211's guides to these assistance programs.
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
