Immigration Help For New Marylanders
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Are you new to the United States or do you know someone who is? 211 Maryland is a one-stop resource for immigrants and new Americans.
Get connected to community resources and support for food, housing, immigration, and more. Translation in 150+ languages.
Find help nearby by entering your ZIP code.
Uninsured? Get Health Coverage
If you are in the U.S. under certain immigrant statuses or have applied for certain lawfully present statuses, you may be eligible for a health insurance. It covers a portion of the costs of seeing a doctor.
Maryland Health Connection is the state’s official health insurance marketplace.
You can still apply even if all your family members do not have an immigration status that qualifies them for coverage.
You will not need a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply unless you are requesting financial help and file taxes.
Find out if your status qualifies for this assistance program.
Maryland Children’s Health Program And Medicaid
Non-citizens must have a “qualified” immigration status to qualify for Medicaid.
There is an exception for pregnant women and children under age 21, who must only be lawfully present.
There is also a 5-year bar for certain individuals entering on or after August 22, 1996. There are exceptions to this rule.
Learn whether Medicaid or Maryland’s Children’s Health Program is an option for you and your family.
Free Refugee Health Assessment
Refugees, asylees, parolees, Cuban/Haitian parolees, victims of trafficking, special immigrant visas, and certain Amerasians are eligible for a free refugee health assessment
This assessment can help you identify health problems, receive treatment, and get the required immunizations for residency status, a Green Card, or school.
Mental Health And Substance Use
For immediate mental health and substance use concerns, call 988. You’ll be connected to the Maryland Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support.
Connect with ongoing behavioral health services or inpatient treatment centers in the 988 database, powered by 211. You can filter search options by ZIP code, language, payment method, and age.
Free And Low-Cost Medical And Dental Care
If you need to see a doctor or dentist, free and reduced-cost services may be available.
Each county has its own health department, and that may be an additional resource for immunizations, family planning, and health screenings.
A dental clinic (en Español) may also be available at some health department locations or in a separate location. These clinics provide low-cost support for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Get Help
Start the Naturalization Process
Enroll Children in School
Education
3-Digit Numbers To Call for Help
In addition to the resources above, the United States provides 3-digit numbers for immediate support.
These numbers are free to call. Instead of dialing a typical ten-digit number, dial the 3 digit number, and you’ll be connected.
These are common 3-digit numbers that can help you.
How 988 and 211 Can Help
Learn how 988 and 211 can provide support to individuals. In general:
- 988 provides crisis support for mental health and substance use and a searchable resource database to find providers near you.
- 211 Maryland provides ongoing mental health support through free and confidential programs, behavioral health resources, and help with essential needs like food, housing, employment, health care, child care, and more.
The Maryland Insurance Administration had a Spanish webinar with 988 and 211. Watch below.
Statewide Support for Refugees and Asylees
In addition to immigration and new American resources and support available by dialing 211, agencies provide Welcome Guides explaining the available assistance programs.
Download the Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees (MORA) Welcome Guide (English). You can also download it in other languages like Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Spanish, Ukrainian, and more.
The Refugee Welcome Collective also helps individuals and families explore the available benefits and services in Maryland.
Baltimore immigration support
If you live in Baltimore, you can
- Dial 211
- Visit the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs website for organizations that can help you with home ownership, education, employment, and more.
- Download the Welcome to Baltimore Guide for New Americans, available in multiple languages.
Dial 211
Talk to a caring and compassionate person 24/7. They can also connect you to resources.
Get Identification in Maryland
You’ll need identification for many tasks such as renting an apartment, opening a bank account, getting a job, applying for insurance, and even driving a car.
Photo ID
Maryland Identification Card is an official photo ID that includes your address and age. It can be used to get a job, cash a check, or open a bank account.
You obtain this card from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
You can also go to the MVA to get a driver’s license, which is a photo ID that allows you to drive.
For the required documents for an official Maryland ID, see the Online Document Guide. Select the choices that pertain to your situation and/or available documentation to determine eligibility.
Social Security Number
In addition to a photo ID, a Social Security number is often requested for identification purposes.
Immigrants can request a Social Security number when they apply for a Visa.
To apply for a Social Security Number, call 1-800-772-1213. Interpretation services are available. Hearing-impaired should call 1-800-325-0778.
You can also schedule an appointment for a local Social Security office in Maryland.
Need to find something from Social Security in Spanish? Use the Spanish version of the Social Security website
Citizenship And Naturalization
Welcome to the United States of America. This country is home to individuals from around the world. Citizenship provides rights and responsibilities.
Citizenship shows your commitment to the USA and its government.
When you’re a U.S. citizen, you can:
- Vote.
- Serve on a jury.
- Get a U.S. passport for travel.
- Bring family members to the U.S.
- Get citizenship for children under age 18.
- Apply for federal jobs.
- Become an elected official.
- Keep your residency.
- Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships.
- Obtain government benefits.
Learn if you are eligible to apply to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization.
If you’re eligible for citizenship through naturalization, there is a 10-step naturalization process that you’ll follow. This includes forms, a test, interview and taking the oath of allegiance to the United States.
Find Education Help
Public education is free from Kindergarten to grade twelve. These schools must accept all children, regardless of immigration status or documentation.
Head Start
Preschool programs may be available through Head Start (en Español).
English As A Second Language (ESL)
If you need to learn English, local communities provide English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults and children.
Search 211 resources and find local ESL classes and other educational opportunities (en Español) or enroll children in school (en Español)
Job Training
There are specific programs for New Americans looking for job training and other employment opportunities (en Español).
Find Resources Now
Find community resources for food, health care, and immigration support. Search by ZIP code.
Report Hate Crimes and Incidents
Medical insurance covers a portion of the fees to see a doctor.
A new collaboration between 211 Maryland and the Office of Immigrant Affairs makes it easy to report discrimination, bullying and hate crimes and incidents.
- Dial 211.
- Text MDStopHate to 898211.*
- File a report online.
*211 Maryland offers text message alert programs which provide region-specific resource information or provide disaster alerts. Msg. & data rates may apply and msg. freq. may vary. For Help, text HELP. To opt-out, text STOP to the same number. Full SMS terms at https://211md.org/sms/ (en Español) will also apply.
Learn more about the differences between hate crimes and incidents (en Español) and the new ways to stop hate!
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
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
