Help in Maryland
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 25 places in Maryland, most of them in Baltimore, Rockville and Landover, plus 10 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people after prison or jail (17) and leaving homelessness (16).
211 Maryland
Free, confidential information line for anyone in Maryland looking for shelter, food, utility help, mental health or substance use care, legal referrals, or transportation. Specialists answer around the clock and can sign you up for text-message check-ins, including a Reentry keyword track.
Division of Vital Records
Where Marylanders born in the state get a certified birth certificate, the first document most people need before an ID, benefits or a job. Order online through VitalChek, by mail with a photocopy of your ID, or in person by appointment only at the Baltimore lobby. Some local health departments also issue certificates.
Maryland Identification (ID) Card
State photo ID for Maryland residents who do not drive. You apply in person at an MVA branch by appointment, bring proof of identity, legal presence, Maryland residency and your Social Security number, pay the fee, and get a temporary card the same day with the permanent card mailed in 7–10 business days.
Maryland Benefits Portal (SNAP, Medical Assistance, Cash)
Single online application for Maryland public benefits, including SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, and temporary cash assistance. One form screens for several programs at once; you can also apply at any local Department of Social Services office.
Helping Up Mission
Baltimore residential recovery program for men, and for women and children, who are facing addiction and homelessness. Offers overnight shelter, hot meals, counseling and a long-term Spiritual Recovery Program on one campus. A 24/7 Get Help line takes calls from people who need a bed or a way into the program.
Maryland Legal Aid
Free civil legal help for low-income Marylanders through 12 offices statewide, covering housing, benefits denials, family matters, expungement and consumer problems. Intake runs by phone and online; walk-in intake is limited. No fees are charged.
Montgomery County Crisis Center
The county's 24-hour mental health crisis and emergency shelter gateway. Single adults in Montgomery County who are about to lose housing or are already on the street call or walk in here for a shelter referral; the same team handles psychiatric crises and trauma support.
Prince George's County Homeless Hotline
The county's single phone entry point for emergency shelter in Prince George's County. Call the hotline to be screened and matched to available shelter; the Homeless Services office in Landover coordinates placements.
Our Daily Bread Employment Center
Maryland's largest hot-meal program, serving lunch every day starting at 10:30 a.m. on the Fallsway in downtown Baltimore. The same building offers employment counseling, job training including CDL and HVAC certifications, legal and dental clinics, benefits enrollment, mail service, phone charging and AA/NA meetings.
Baltimore City Shelter Hotline
Every bed in a Baltimore City-funded shelter is assigned through this hotline. Call during weekday business hours to find out if space is open that night; there is no waiting list. After hours and on weekends, call shelters directly, such as Weinberg Housing and Resource Center at 443-824-5326 or the HEBCAC Nest youth shelter (ages 18–24) at 410-759-8374.
Weinberg Housing and Resource Center
Baltimore's largest emergency shelter for single adults, operating 24/7 with meals, laundry, mail pickup, case management, housing voucher help and workforce training under one roof. Beds are assigned only through the city's Coordinated Entry line, not at the door.
Shepherd's Table
Silver Spring meal program and resource center for people in Montgomery County who are hungry, homeless or housing-insecure. Serves daily meals, runs a social services desk and offers a culinary job-training track. Interfaith Works' Progress Place drop-in center, with showers, laundry and case management, is upstairs in the same building.
Interfaith Works Essential Needs Center
Appointment-based free clothing center and choice food pantry in Rockville for Montgomery County households in hardship. First-time visitors bring ID, proof of county residency and proof of program qualification; one adult shops per appointment. Wednesdays are reserved for seniors and people with disabilities. IW Connections (240-641-6307) refers people to county rent and utility assistance.
Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees (MORA)
Coordinates resettlement services for refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, SIV holders, certain humanitarian parolees and trafficking survivors who have settled in Maryland: cash and medical assistance, health screening, English classes, job placement, case management and youth programs delivered through resettlement agency partners.
Esperanza Center
Baltimore's immigrant resource center in Fells Point, offering low-cost immigration legal services, a health clinic, English and education classes, family reunification help and victim services case management for immigrants who have experienced crime or trafficking. Each service has its own direct line.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Maryland
Maryland's call, text and chat line for mental health or substance use emergencies, answered 24/7 by trained specialists. Press 1 for veterans, press 2 for Spanish; deaf and hard-of-hearing callers can use ASL videophone.
National lines that work in Maryland
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.