Where to Find Food and Help During the Government Shutdown
We know this is a difficult and stressful time. The government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 has stopped SNAP food benefits, and you may be worried about feeding your family. At Priority Partners, we are committed to your health and well-being. We want to make sure you know what help is available and where to find food assistance. Keep in mind that Maryland Medicaid is not affected at this time. Priority Partners is here for you, and we will keep you updated as things change.
What’s Happening
SNAP (Food Stamps) has been suspended. This means thatno SNAP benefits were put on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards in November.
These benefits are STILL working:
- Cash assistance (Temporary Disability Assistance and Temporary Cash Assistance) — Maryland is still issuing cash assistance in November at this time.
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children Program) — Still giving benefits for now. The Maryland Department of Health will provide regular updates to recipients.
- Medical Assistance — All health programs still working.
- Maryland Medicaid — NOT affected right now.
How to Get Food Help
Governor Moore is sending $10 million to food banks and food programs to help families. See the Governor’s Fact Sheet for more information and food resources.
Where to Find Food
- Local food banks — If you live anywhere in Maryland other than Montgomery or Prince George’s counties, find one near you at mdfoodbank.org/find-food. If you live in Montgomery or Prince George’s counties, find one near you at capitalareafoodbank.org/get-help.
- Community food programs — Visit the 211 Maryland website at search.211md.org to locate the nearest food pantry, food bank and other resources.
- Priority Partners Cupboards — Go to one of our many free self-serve mini-pantries in Maryland. These operate on a take what you need, leave what you can basis. Find one near you at ppmco.org/cupboardsproject. Plus, Priority Partners will be adding two new mini-pantries in the area in December!
- FindHelp — Locate free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance and more at FindHelp.org.
- United Way of Central Maryland — Visit uwcm.org/your211 to find help with food and other resources or dial their 211 Helpline. They are adding more staff to the 211 Helpline so more people can get help when they call and speeding up help to people who need food and other basic needs right now.
What You Should Do Now
Keep applying for benefits. Even though SNAP is paused, you should apply for SNAP and other benefits at MarylandBenefits.gov. The Maryland Department of Human Services is still taking new applications. Be sure to update your information on the website. This will help you get benefits faster when SNAP starts again.
Need help? Call 211 to find food resources and other help near you.
For more information and food resources, see the Governor’s Fact Sheet.
We’re in This Together
We at Priority Partners are doing what we can to help Maryland families with our company-wide food drive to support local food pantries and keep our community mini-pantries stocked.
