Find Help in Worcester County
Are you looking for help in Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines, Sinepuxent, Newark, Whiteburg, Newark, Pocomoke City or another Worcester County community?
Get connected to community support by searching the 211 Community Resource Database. Enter your ZIP code and need to find help nearby.
Utility Assistance
ISHORE UP! Worcester County can help with energy assistance applications for the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP). Individuals can get help with:
- Home heating - Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
- Low-income turn-off prevention during the heating season - Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
- Electricity - Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
- Past due bills - Arrearage Retirement Assistance
211's guide to OHEP programs walks you through these programs, eligibility, and other utility assistance options. Knowing how to fill out the forms will help prevent application delays. Read 211's guide to utility assistance.
You can also drop off paper applications at SHORE UP! in Newark, Maryland, or at locations in nearby counties, including Salisbury in Wicomico County and Princess Anne in Somerset County. Find a location near you.
You must reapply every fiscal year, which runs from July to June.
Energy efficient home Improvements
Shore UP! can also help refer eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners to energy-efficiency home improvement programs through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
These improvements can lower your energy use and losses, and improve efficiency.
Emergency financial help
Emergency financial help is available in Worcester County from the Giving Other Lives Dignity (GOLD) nonprofit. However, you must access this support through 211 or a community partner as the GOLD program is not open to the public.
Programs available include:
- eviction prevention
- First month's rent for individuals without permanent shelter who are moving to long-term housing.
- utility assistance
- emergency health care needs
- food
- household items
- clothing
- emergency employment help (phone minutes, clothing/equipment, license fees)
If you need help with one of these essential needs, connect with 2-1-1 or a Worcester County community partner.
Food Pantries
There are food pantries throughout Worcester County. The Health Department keeps a list of dates, times, and contact information for them in cities like Snow Hill, Girdletree, Pocomoke, Berlin, and Whaleyville. Find a food pantry.
Worcester County Social Services
Contact the Worcester County Department of Social Services if you need help applying for government benefits like food stamps or SNAP, the child care scholarship, or another program
Legal Help
Legal Aid also offers help with civil legal issues, including:
- housing
- family law
- employment
- public benefits
- consumer/financial issues
The Salisbury office serves the Lower Eastern Shore, including Worcester County.
The Family Law Project
If you're representing yourself in court, the Family Law Project provides legal help and advice to complete forms for divorce, domestic violence, custody, a name change, visitation, and a child support modification.
The clinic offers help on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn about the clinic hours.
Find Help In a Nearby County
If you can't find what you need in Worcester County, organizations in nearby counties may be able to help.
Need Something else?
211 has information and referrals for other essential needs. Learn about assistance programs available for food, housing, utility assistance, and more!
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
