Financial

Emergency Grants from Non-Profits or Churches

If none of the resources below fit your clients need, call Maryland 2-1-1.

For a list of other assistance programs click here.

Catonsville Emergency Assistance serves greater Catonsville residents with emergency food, eviction prevention, and utility turn-off intervention. Grants may be available for those faced with legal evictions, utility turn-offs, and occasionally, prescription medications.

Dial 410-747-4357 for assistance

Emergency Food: provides eligible families a weeks worth of food once a month. 

• • Eligibility depends on if client lives in Greater Catonsville area and income. Click here for income specifics.  

  • Once eligible, client must arrange an appointment by calling 410-747-4357 or fill out a request online. Proper documentation needed for appointment can be found here.

Utility Turn-Off: CEA assists qualifying clients that have received a turn-off notice 

• • Eligibility: Client must live in greater Catonsville area, meet the Fuel Fund Guidelines, and receive a MEAP referral. 

  • Client can apply online for CEA Energy Assistance online or by phone at 443-636-8567.

Eviction Prevention: provides assistance to those that have received a court document of eviction for the most recent month’s rent

• • Eligibility: must live within greater Catonsville area

  • Client must set up an appointment by phone 443-636-8185 or online. 

  • Required documentation for appointments can be found here.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured," meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. For people who are unable to work due to MEDICAL conditions (expected to last 1 year or more).

This need should be used for clients who request assistance applying to receive benefits through SSDI. 

Please note: SSDI and SSI are different!

*Be sure to check with your client to make sure you are opening the correct need.*

Step- by- Step Instructions: 

1.  Identify if client qualifies for SSDI by checking the eligibility guidelines by using BEST screening tool online.

2.  Discuss the expected length of time for eligibility to be determined. It can take anywhere from 6-12 months.

3.  You can apply for Disability benefits online, or if your prefer, you can apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.

    Please note: Make sure your client is aware of the documents needed for application. The checklist is provided below. 

4.  Follow up to ensure that client has submitted application.

    *Note that many SSDI applicants are denied in their first application. Your client should appeal for reconsideration with legal assistance.

5.  Your client should be prepared for a 1-hour interview if application is not submitted online or by phone.

    Social Security Office: 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (for those who are deaf or hard of hearing)

    Success = Client confirms receipt of approval letter from agency. 

    Target time for successful resolution = 3-6 months

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). 

•  It is designed to help people who are elderly, people who experience blindness, and people living with a disability who have little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

This need should be used for clients who request assistance applying to receive benefits through SSI. 

Please note: SSDI and SSI are different! 

*Be sure to check with your client to make sure you are opening the correct need.

Who is eligible?

• Aged (age 65 or older) or blind or disabled

• Has limited income; limited resources

• Has limited resources; and is a U.S. citizen or national, or in one of certain categories of undocumented immigrant 

  • In general, an undocumented person who is subject to an active warrant for deportation or removal does not meet the citizenship requirement.

• Is a resident of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands

• Is not absent from the country for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more

• Is not confined to an institution (such as a hospital or prison) at the government's expense

• Applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible, (for example, pensions, Social Security benefits)

• Gives SSA permission to contact any financial institution and request any financial records about you and files an application

• Meets certain other requirements

How do clients apply?

Adult with Disability:

• Schedule an appointment with a local Social Security office to file an application. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local Social Security office

• Find out if your client is eligible to receive Social Security Disability Benefits. Learn more and start the disability process at Apply Online for Disability Benefits page

Child with Disability:

**Your client will need to complete an Application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) AND a Child Disability Report. The report collects information about the child’s disabling condition and how it affects his/her ability to function.

***At this time, only the Child Disability Report can be completed online. Please contact SSI by phone or visit in person to schedule an appointment to complete the SSI application. They will help your client in person or by phone.

Step-by-step on how to apply when a client has a child, or children, with a disability:

1. REVIEW the Child Disability Starter Kit. This kit answers common questions about applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for children, and includes a worksheet that will help your client gather the information they need.

2. CONTACT Social Security right away to find out whether the income and resources of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits, and to start the SSI application process.

3. FILL OUT the online Child Disability Report. At the end of the report, they will ask your client to sign a form that gives the child's doctor(s) permission to give them information about his/her disability. They need this information so that they can make a decision on the child’s claim.

A person aged 65 and up:

• Call SSI at 1-800-772-1213. If your client is deaf or hard of hearing, they can call 1-800-325-0778 

• Your client may also visit their local Social Security office

  • Call first to make an appointment!

SSI Screening Tool

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Website

**If your client is eligible they must contact Social Security to file an application.

Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)

Also known as "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)" or "Welfare"

Eligible families receive monthly checks for a maximum of 60 months over a lifetime.

1. Determine if your client is eligible for TCA

   • Must be a resident of Maryland, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a citizen, or meet immigrant status rules, and have low or no income.

   • Adults do not have to be legally married to be considered part of the household.

   • Your client must be willing to participate in work activities and training for a least 30 hours a week

     • Workforce development activities must be completed through the DSS's certified programs around the city.  Workforce development includes but is not limited to: resume building, interview preparation, job skills training programs, etc.

   • Your client must be willing to pursue child support (if applicable).

   • Your client must be willing to take a drug test and be enrolled in a recovery program (if applicable).

2. Collect the required documents:

   • Proof of citizenship or legal status for members in the house - birth certificates, social security cards.

   • Proof of income - pay stubs, letter from someone else who is supporting that family, proof of other income benefits, most recent W-2s.

   • Proof of address - bills, lease

   • Photo ID

   • Any other pertinent documents you have proving your expenses (rent receipts, medical expenses, child care receipts, bills, bank statements, etc.)

3. It is best to apply in person at your client's local DSS where you will be interviewed by a DSS worker.  Alternatively, you can submit an application at myDHR.

4. If your client qualifies for TCA, he or she will be notified within 30 days of submitting the application.

443-423-7800

DSS Southwest Center

1223 W. Pratt St., Baltimore

Locate client's nearest DSS using myDHR.

*Families who receive TCA are automatically eligible for Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Food Stamps, and Child Care Subsidy.  Your client can apply to all of these programs on one application.

*INDIVIDUALS who are interested in receiving cash assistance must already be connected to other DSS programs (Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc.).  The individual should contact their caseworker about receiving an "Emergency Assistance Grant" of $600 every two years.  You should continue to search for alternatives with your client, since these funds are not guaranteed.

*Undocumented clients can apply on behalf of their documented children.  When completing the Maryland SAIL application, leave the field requesting the social security number of the head of household blank (as well as for other undocumented members of the household).  When you are asked, "Are you applying for this person?" do not click "yes" for any family member who is not documented. 

Many of the undocumented clients have found it more successful to apply for this benefit in person at the DSS. Discuss this with your client to see if this is a possibility for them.

Visit the website here. 

See below for FAQs from the Family Investment Administration.