Emergency Services 
Phone (240)777-4448  Fax (240)777-4254

Emergency Services provides emergency financial assistance and shelter services to Montgomery County residents facing a crisis: eviction, foreclosure, utility disconnection, transportation, moving/storage, emergency shelter, and burial assistance. Also offers Employment Support Grants to TCA recipients and Welfare Avoidance Grants to eligible customers for employment-related emergencies.

MEAP
MEAP helps people pay their winter heating bills.   It is a grant amount that depends on the cost of the heating fuel you use, the size of your household, and your income.
MEAP also offer:

USPP - Utility Service Protection Plan
This plan provides MEAP eligible households access to an even monthly payment program and turn-off protection.

If the client qualifies for MEAP, he/she may be eligible to participate in USPP. When the client joins USPP, and his/her MEAP grant is paid directly to the utility company, the client will pay the same amount every month unless there is a change in their gas or electric usage. The MEAP grant is subtracted from the amount of gas and electricity used at home during the past 12 months. The amount leftover is divided into 12 monthly payments.

EUSP
The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) is a new state program to help low-income electric customers to pay their electric bills. Help may be available whether the client has active electric service currently, or if the client does not have service. This new program may help eligible electric customers in three ways: Their past due electric bills, current electric bills and weatherization services.

Rental Assistance Program
Phone (240)777-4400
The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is a Montgomery County funded program to help low-income households meet their rental expanses.   Assistance is available to legal residents who are disabled, elderly or households of two or more.
Households receive between $50 and $200 per month for one year.

HOC
Gaithersburg Phone (240)777-4027
Kensington   Phone (301)929-6700

SECTION 8 (HOC)  (301)-933-9750
A voucher program where qualified applicants pay only 30% of income on rent.  The applicant has to find an apartment and HOC pays 70% of rent.

Bethesda Cares
Phone (301)907-9244
Fax (301)652-1781
Located in Bethesda but funded in part by Montgomery County.   Grants limited to $75 once per year to people facing eviction and utility-cutoffs.   Checks are mailed directly to vendors.   Checks are issued when other contributions are secured.   Referral needed from UMAN, ES or other agencies.

Salvation Army
Phone (301)515-5354
Fax (301)515-7328
Salvation Army assists people with court eviction, utility disconnection, and water bills through the WSSC Water Fund.  It also administers the WAFF (Washington Area Fuel Fund) for clients using gas as main source of heat.   Available Jan 1 - May 31, with cutoffs notice).   All clients are required complete application to receive help.  Appointment necessary.  It also provides referrals for food and clothing assistance, a food pantry and Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance.

WUMCO  
Phone (301)972-8481
Fax (301)916-3236
It provides assistance to residents in the western part of the county.   It provides emergency help with rent and mortgage, medical expenses, utilities, car repairs, transportation, prescription medicine and limited childcare subsidies.   It operates a holiday basket and toy program in the area.   It also coordinates the Paratransit type bus service for seniors and disabled in the area.

Friends in action  
Phone (301)762-8682 exts. 113, 112
A program of Community Ministry of Montgomery County.  Matches families with support teams.  No financial assistance but support in improving situation through goal setting, educational counseling.  Clients should be told of the program and if they are interested and have a social worker managing their case, a referral may be made by UMAN staff to Fiends in Action (Application forms in office).

City of Gaithersburg, Citizen Services  
Phone (301)258-6398
This program provides information and referrals to the City of Gaithersburg and nonprofit emergency assistance providers.   It also coordinates the city's holiday basket project and educational workshops in city schools.

Gaithersburg Help  
Phone (301)216-2510
Emergency food (three-day supply of food), transportation (rides to medical appointments and social service agencies), and assistance with prescription, furniture, and diapers.  

Germantown Help
Phone (301)482-1320
It delivers food to Germantown residents and provides information, prescription assistance and referrals.

Manna Food 
Phone (301)424-1130
Manna serves Montgomery county by providing needy families with food.   A box of food contains a three-day supply of food.

St. Martin's Food Pantry 
Phone (301)990-7373
Emergency Food.  Monday mornings only (can goods only).   Prescriptions.

Interfaith Clothing Center 
Phone (301)424-3796
ICC distributes donated clothing, household goods, and school supplies, free of charge to low-income residents of Montgomery County.    It also provides layettes and bedding.

Olde Towne Thrift Shop
Phone (301)963-6600
Operated by the Family Services Agency and located next to FSAI's administrative offices at 620 East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg.   It offers household items, furniture, appliances, and clothing.  Limited pickup service is available for larger items.

Shady Grove Pregnancy Center
Phone (301)963-6223
Diapers (disposable and cloth), baby furniture, equipment; layettes, maternity clothing, baby formula and food.   Counseling for pregnant women, especially teenagers.

Meals on Wheels
Phone (301)216-4200
Food service for the homebound, elderly, handicapped or convalescing.