Get Help / Financial
Financial Get information on financial assistance resources.
If you are struggling financially, please visit our other Get Help pages for resources that can help you with various needs (especially our Multiple Needs page, which contains information on organizations that provide financial assistance, in addition to other types of help).
If you cannot find what you're looking for from the information below, call us at (240) 777-4940 (Mon to Fri, 9am—5pm) or visit us at one of our locations to ask about programs that can help you.
Utilities
Montgomery County Utility Assistance Program
- Provides help with past due bills for heating and electricity, as wells as an ongoing benefit. If you are at risk of a shut off, call 240‐777‐4450.
- See the presentation from the 2023 Community Navigation Forum for more information about the County's Utility Assistance and Weatherization programs for low-income residents. (Powerpoint presentation: Slides 14-25) (Presentation recording)
Maryland Office of People's Counsel
- Provides information on how to get help with your utility bills, including Community Resources Guides, also available in Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish.
WSSC Water Financial Assistance Programs
- Financial assistance offered by WSSC Water to support customers and make water and sewage bills more affordable.
- BGE offers programs and services to help those in need, including energy assistance, help for customers with special needs, and ways for neighbors to help neighbors.
- Provides emergency financial assistance to BGE clients in low-income households that are facing energy crises, such as having a utility disconnect notice.
- Pepco offers programs and services to help those in need, including energy assistance, help for customers with special needs, and ways for neighbors to help neighbors.
Unemployment Insurance
Maryland Department of Labor: 667-207-6520
- If you have lost your job, visit the Maryland Department of Labor website to find out if you are eligible for unemployment insurance and file a claim.
- Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Recreation
Montgomery County Recreation's Financial Aid Program
- Rec Assist is provided by Montgomery County Recreation to make financial assistance available to County residents who receive public assistance.
City of Rockville's Recreation Financial Assistance Program
- The City of Rockville's Recreation and Parks Department offers assistance programs for youth, seniors, and children between 3 to 10 years old with autism.
Montgomery Parks Fee Reduction Program
- Montgomery Parks, of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, operates campsites, playgrounds, courts, parks, and more. The Fee Reduction Program provides financial assistance to Montgomery County residents.
Child Care
Working Parents Assistance (WPA) Program (PDF): 240-777-1177; [email protected]
- County program that helps County residents pay for child care for children 13 years or younger (up to 19 years if the child has a disability and needs care). Visit website for more information and other eligibility factors.
State of Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (PDF)
- Helps eligible families pay for high-quality child care and early education programs for children 13 years or younger (up to 19 if the child has a qualifying disability). Families receive a scholarship covering part of child care costs and are responsible for paying a co-payment and any other amount not covered by the scholarship.
- Visit website for more information, and to learn other eligibility factors. Submit applications online.
General Resources
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Administers public benefit programs such as SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Temporary Cash Assistance, Temporary Disability Assistance, emergency housing, burial assistance, utility assistance programs, etc.
- For questions about program eligibility, contact the Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS) at 240-777-1003 or [email protected].
Emergency Financial Assistance Desk Guide:
- Provides information on County programs and nonprofit organizations which can assist residents with emergency financial assistance needs, including rent and utility assistance, prescription assistance, etc.
Maryland Department of Human Services, MarylandBenefits
- Gateway to access health and human services, including family services, health and disability services, job readiness support, unemployment assistance, food and cash assistance, child protective services, adult services, housing and energy assistance, and more.
Catholic Charities: 301-942-1790 option 0, 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902
- Provides different financial support like rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, financial assistance to single mothers with cancer, and support with completing applications for benefits and financial assistance.
Interfaith Works: 240-641-6307, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20851
- Refers individuals to many types of services, including emergency financial, rental, and utility assistance
- See the presentation from the 2023 Community Navigation Forum for more information about Interfaith Works' Emergency Financial Assistance program, and the Emergency Assistance Coalition for providers who serve low-income residents. (Powerpoint presentation: Slides 1-13) (Presentation recording)
Salvation Army Emergency Assistance: 301-515-5354; Monday-Friday 9am to 3pm; 20021 Aircraft Drive Germantown, MD 20874
- Provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities.
Islamic-American Zakat Foundation: 301-907-0997; 4641 Montgomery Avenue, LL-30, Bethesda, MD 20814; [email protected]
- Provides financial assistance for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and medical care for Muslims in need. Also provides social services and referrals.
Tax Preparation Assistance
VITA Program: 240-777-1123; [email protected]- Free in-person and virtual appointments available for Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $69,000 or less. Visit website for information on how to make an appointment and other helpful tax resources. All VITA sites serve taxpayers filing with ITINs.
- Free tax preparation for low and moderate income taxpayers at many locations throughout the County.
- Free tax preparation services for Maryland residents with household incomes of $64,000 or less. Can also assist with ITIN applications. CASA is a membership-based organization.
Comptroller of Maryland: Montgomery County Office: 301-942-5400; 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 408, Wheaton, MD 20902
- Can schedule online and in-person appointments for assistance with state taxes. Online services include option to file taxes online, download individual tax forms, check status of tax refund, pay tax obligations, and tax debt assistance.
- To get answers to general questions and get free assistance on Maryland income taxes:
- Call Taxpayer Services at: 410-260-7980 or 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937), or e-mail your tax questions to: [email protected]
- IRS Free File lets you prepare and file your federal income tax online using guided tax preparation, at an IRS partner site, or Free File Fillable Forms. (English) (Español) (More languages available on IRS Free File site)
- Learn about free tax preparation for qualifying taxpayers, including seniors, persons with disabilities, limited-English speaking individuals, and those making $60,000 or less. (English) (Español) (More languages available on IRS website)
- Free tax preparation services for taxpayers with incomes under $69,000 per year
Financial Education & Coaching
Money Management International (English) ( Español): 866-889-9347- Free help in English and Spanish for debt management, housing (foreclosure and eviction) counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and financial education.
- Offers financial coaching that focuses on financial goal-setting, debt management, improving credit score, investments, and retirement. Also offers workshops around financial education and empowerment.
- Provides free financial coaching to residents of the City of Gaithersburg (zip codes served: 20877, 20878, 20879). In-person appointments available at Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center's Gaithersburg office, Fridays, 10am-2:30pm. See flyer (English / Español) for details.
- Periodically offers trainings and workshops related to financial wellness. Visit website for updated information on upcoming events.
- Periodically offers trainings and workshops related to financial wellness. Visit website for updated information on upcoming events.
- Free financial classes, planning, coaching, and resources.
- Free online educational tool, offering practical tips and step by step guidance on managing your finances.
- Offers micro-courses on different financial topics like improving your credit, building a budget, understanding taxes, or making smarter money choices.
- Offers webinars, online classes, online educational resources, and a free helpline that distribute financial planning resources.