Montgomery County Young Democrats COVID-19 Resources
The coronavirus has affected tens of millions of Americans, and claimed over 80,000 lives. Below is a list of resources for residents of Montgomery County whose health, economic well-being, or lives have been impacted by the pandemic.
Please reach out to us at mocoyoungdems@gmail.com or michaeldelong94@gmail.com if you have any questions or resources to add to the list. For additional resources not listed here, call the 24/7 Maryland helpline by dialing 211, or visit governor.maryland.gov/marylandunites.
FOOD AND FINANCES:
- Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefits: The new BEACON application is now available through the Department of Labor. Contractors, self-employed individuals, and gig workers are now eligible to get benefits plus $600/week for up to 39 weeks.
- Montgomery County’s Emergency Assistance Relief Payment: Available to eligible low-income individuals who live in the county and who will not benefit from Federal and State relief programs.
- Visit the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services for food resources and to learn about emergency assistance programs, including: SNAP (click here for more information, and click here for the application), Medicaid, and long-term care.
- Montgomery County Food Council Food Assistance: Map of all free food sites in the county.
- Manna Food Center: Local food bank in Silver Spring.
HEALTH AND HOUSING:
- Maryland Health Connection: An emergency special enrollment to apply for health insurance is open through June 15, 2020.
- Montgomery County Housing Stabilization Services: Emergency eviction and homelessness prevention/resources, call (240) 777-3075 or visit the link for office hours.
- Montgomery County Utility Assistance Program: The programs help low-income residents pay their heating costs and electric bills. Call 240-777-4450 for more information.
- Housing Initiative Partnership: Bilingual counselors that will help with unemployment, food stamps, and more.
- Free Housing Legal Advice:
- CASA (Bilingual) Hotline: (301) 960-8698
- Montgomery County Legal Aid: (240) 314-0373
SENIORS AND FAMILIES:
- Montgomery County Public Schools: Free meals sites, backpacks, and laptop distribution for students. montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus.
- Locate Child Care: Referrals for essential personnel. Visit the link or call 1 (877) 261-0060.
- Seniors Daily Call Check Program: A free, opt-in, telephonic service to check on Maryland’s older residents during COVID-19. Call 1 (866) 502-0560 or visit the site to register.
- Meals on Wheels Delivery: Free meal delivery nonprofit for seniors. Call (301) 434-1922 for more information.
- Grocery Stores with Senior Only Shopping Hours: For seniors and at-risk individuals to shop during special hours.
SMALL BUSINESSES:
OTHER RESOURCES:
- CASA’s Solidarity Fund provides support to struggling immigrant families who will receive no assistance from unemployment, small business loans, or any federal help. More information at https://wearecasa.org/.
- Volunteers are needed in the afternoons on Sun/Mon/Wed/Thurs to drive donated meals to families in 20902, 20904 and 20906 zip codes. For more information, email: food4highlandfamilies@gmail.com.
- HarvestShare helps residents grow extra food in their gardens to donate to Manna Food Center. For more information email: https://www.harvestsharemd.org/about. Please grow “an extra row” in your garden for donation to Manna.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Since so many blood drives have been cancelled, there is a critical and immediate need for blood during this crisis. Make an appointment to the Red Cross to donate here.
Interested in delivering food boxes in a socially distant way? Email Martiza Solano at msolano@wearecasa.org. CASA is working with Capital Area Food Bank, and she is coordinating food deliveries.