Helping the Hungry in Montgomery County Through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 10, 2020

            In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Maryland’s request to issue emergency SNAP payments to currently enrolled households for April and May 2020. This means residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive the maximum amount allowed per month from April 1 through May 31.  If eligible, a one-person household will receive $194, and a two-person household will receive $355 in food benefits. Maryland has also removed work requirements associated with SNAP during this crisis. SNAP provides monthly financial benefits to individuals and families to buy food. 

            There are thousands of people in our community every day who do not have enough food to meet their daily needs and the need is increasing due to the pandemic,” said Raymond Crowel, director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “Through the SNAP food assistance program and in partnership with local organizations who work to fight hunger, we are working hard to help our neighbors in need at this critical time.” 

            While DHHS’s Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS) is closed to walk-in services, drop boxes for paper applications and documents are available at all sites, and services are available through online applications. Residents can apply online at myDHR or call OESS at 240-777-1003 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Visit the DHHS website for more information on applying for SNAP and other financial assistance benefits.

            Residents can also call the Maryland Benefits Center at 1-833-373-5867, Maryland Hunger Solutions at 1-866-821-5552, or Spanish Catholic Center 301-453-5560 to get help in applying for SNAP and other benefits.  

            For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.

 # # #

Release ID: 20-185
Media Contact: Julie Parker 2407776507