If you are trying to see if you are eligible to apply for Food stamps in Maryland (SNAP) or need more information about Maryland EBT, you’ve come to the right place. The Maryland food stamps and EBT program, also called the Food Assistance Program, is a federal nutrition program that helps low-income individuals and families buy food.
Food Stamps benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets.
The program is run at the state level by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS).
If you apply and are approved for benefits, your monthly food stamps allocation will be given to you each month on a plastic card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card, which works like a debit card.
We have provided below everything you need to know to successfully apply for food stamps. We have also explained how EBT Card works and what you can expect with your card if you are approved for food stamps.
Table of Contents:
- Should I apply for Maryland Food Stamps?
- Who is Eligible for Maryland Food Stamps?
- Maryland Food Stamps Income Limit
- How Much Will I Receive in Maryland Food Stamps?
- How to Apply for Maryland Food Stamps
- How long to get Approved for Maryland Food Stamps?
- What is the Maryland EBT Card?
- What can I buy with EBT in Maryland?
- Which Maryland Grocery Stores Accept EBT Online?
- What time are Food Stamps EBT deposited in Maryland?
- How to Check Maryland EBT Card Balance?
- How Do I Get a Maryland EBT Card Replacement?
- Maryland EBT Card Discounts, Perks, and Freebies
Should I apply for Maryland Food Stamps?
If you’ve hit tough times and are struggling to afford food for yourself or your family, you should consider applying for food stamps.
The food stamps program is a federal entitlement program. This means anyone who is eligible will receive benefits. You will not be taking away benefits from someone else if you apply.
In addition, the food stamps program is a nutrition program and not a welfare cash assistance program (which is called TANF). You do not have to be receiving TANF to get food stamps.
Who is Eligible for Maryland Food Stamps?
To be eligible for food stamps in Maryland, you have to meet the Gross Income, Net Income, and Asset tests.
Additionally, if your household has an elderly (over 60) or disabled member, you may be exempt from the Gross Income, Net Income, and/or Asset tests.
In Maryland, eligibility for SNAP is limited to people with gross incomes up to 130% of the federal poverty line.
Also, your net income (Gross income minus allowable deductions) cannot exceed 100% of the poverty level.
Furthermore, able-bodied adults without dependents can only receive three months of benefits during any three-year period if they’re not working a minimum of 20 hours per week or participating in a training program.
Maryland Food Stamps Income Limit
Below is the food stamps income limit for Maryland. It is based on the number of people in your household.
For example, if you are a family of 4, you cannot make more than a gross income of $3,007 a month to qualify for food stamps.
Maryland SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (165% of FPL) for households with an Elderly or Disabled Member |
1 | $1,133 | $1,473 | $1,869 |
2 | $1,526 | $1,984 | $2,518 |
3 | $1,920 | $2,495 | $3,167 |
4 | $2,313 | $3,007 | $3,816 |
5 | $2,706 | $3,518 | $4,465 |
6 | $3,100 | $4,029 | $5,114 |
7 | $3,493 | $4,541 | $5,763 |
8 | $3,886 | $5,052 | $6,412 |
Each Additional Household Member: Add | $394 | $512 | $649 |
Maryland Food Stamps Asset Limit
There is no asset limit for Food Stamps in Maryland. If the household has an elderly or disabled member and did not meet the Gross Income test, there is an asset limit of $4250.
How Much Will I Receive in Maryland Food Stamps?
The amount of food stamps benefits a household gets depends on how many people are in the household and how much monthly net income remains after taking allowable deductions.
A family of 4 can receive a maximum food stamps benefit of $939.
Because food stamps households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their own resources on food, the amount of food stamps you get is calculated by multiplying your household’s net monthly income by 0.3 and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
1 | $281 |
2 | $516 |
3 | $740 |
4 | $939 |
5 | $1,116 |
6 | $1,339 |
7 | $1,480 |
8 | $1,691 |
Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
Maryland Food Stamps Work Requirement
The state of Maryland has very strict work requirements when it comes to eligibility for food stamps.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the work requirements below before applying for benefits.
With certain exceptions, able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 years of age must register for work, accept an offer of suitable work, and take part in an employment and training program when referred to one by the local department of social services.
How to Apply for Maryland Food Stamps
There are 3 ways you can apply for food stamps in Maryland.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the MyDHR Maryland Portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your MyDHR Maryland Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DHS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) office near you. Click here to locate a DHS office.
Option 3 – Download the Maryland Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHS office or submit it in person.
How long to get Approved for Maryland Food Stamps?
Generally, a decision will be made on your Maryland food stamps application within 30 days of the day you submitted a COMPLETE application.
Once you submit a complete application, your caseworker will schedule an interview with you to review your application information and ask any questions they may have about the information you submitted.
What is the Maryland EBT Card?
The Maryland EBT Card, also known as the Independence Card is used to administer your monthly food stamps and cash benefits.
If you are approved for food stamps, your monthly food stamps allocation will be given to you each month on a Maryland EBT Card, which works like a debit card.
You can access your SNAP and/or Cash benefits using your Maryland EBT Independence card and your 4-digit PIN.
What can I buy with EBT in Maryland?
You are allowed to use your food stamps benefits card to buy foods that your household will prepare to eat at home, including the following
- breads and cereals
- fruits and vegetables
- meats, fish and poultry; and
- dairy products
- Seeds and plants to produce food for the household to eat
- Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream
- Seafood, steak, and bakery cakes
- Energy drinks that have a nutrition facts label
- Energy drinks that have a supplement facts label are classified by the FDA as supplements and are therefore not eligible
What you CANNOT buy with EBT in Maryland
Now that you know what you can buy with your SNAP card, here is the list of things you CANNOT buy with the card:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
- Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, diapers, and household supplies
- Vitamins and medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
- Live animals
NOTE: In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals.
Which Maryland Grocery Stores Accept EBT Online?
The following grocery stores accept Maryland SNAP EBT cards online for pickup and/or delivery.
- ACME
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Food Lion
- Geresbeck’s Food Market
- Giant Eagle
- Giant of Maryland
- Martin’s
- Price Rite
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- ShopRite
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
What time are Food Stamps EBT deposited in Maryland?
SNAP benefits in Maryland are sent out from the 4th to the 23rd of the month. The day your benefits are available on your Maryland EBT Independence Card is based on the first three letters of your last name.
Here’s the complete SNAP EBT Schedule for Maryland.
If the First three letters of your last name are between | Benefits are deposited on the |
AAA and BAO | 4th of the month |
BAP and BQZ | 5th of the month |
BRA and CAQ | 6th of the month |
CAR and COQ | 7th of the month |
COR and DIZ | 8th of the month |
DJA and FIS | 9th of the month |
FIT and GON | 10th of the month |
GOO and HAX | 11th of the month |
HAY and JAB | 12th of the month |
JAC and KIM | 13th of the month |
KIN and LOX | 14th of the month |
LOY and MCO | 15th of the month |
MCP and NEF | 16th of the month |
NEG and PGZ | 17th of the month |
PHA and RIC | 18th of the month |
RID and SDZ | 19th of the month |
SEA and STC | 20th of the month |
STD and TRA | 21st of the month |
TRB and WES | 22nd of the month |
WET and ZZZ | 23rd of the month |
How to Check Maryland EBT Card Balance?
There are three ways to check your Maryland EBT Card balance.
Option 1
Call 1-800-997-2222 to check the balance on your Maryland EBT Card.
Option 2
- You can check the balance online here.
Option 3
- You can also check the balance by locating your Last Receipt.
How Do I Get a Maryland EBT Card Replacement?
To report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail call the Maryland EBT Customer Service number at – 1-800-997-2222.
If your EBT card is stolen and benefits are used these benefits cannot be replaced.
You can also call the number above for the following:
- To report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail.
- To know the date your benefits will be available in your account each month.
- To know if your benefits have been deposited into your account and get your account balance.
- To hear your last 10 transactions.
- To file a claim if you question a transaction in your account.
- If you want to select or change your PIN.
- If your card does not work.
- To find the nearest location where you can use your card.
- If you have other questions about or problems with your card.
Maryland EBT Card Discounts
Your Maryland EBT Card comes with some perks, discounts, and freebies. This includes:
- 50% Discount on Amazon Prime Membership
- Discounts on Home or Cell Phone Service
- Up to $30 credit toward home internet service
- A one-time discount of up to $100 towards the purchase of a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer
For details on the SNAP EBT discounts and perks described above, continue reading below.
Sign up for Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Holders
Amazon.com has announced that beneficiaries enrolled in some government assistance programs can now get Amazon Prime subscriptions for $6.99 a month. EBT Cardholders are included in this offer.
This means that if you are currently receiving benefits on an EBT card, like Food Stamps, you can sign up for Amazon Prime discount for EBT holders. To sign up, click here to be taken to their sign-up page.
The regular Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 a month. However, if you have an EBT Card, you can get Prime Membership for $6.99. That’s over 50% off the regular price.
Discounts on Home and Cell Phone Services
If you are currently on Food Stamps, and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for FREE or low-cost cell phone or home phone service for you or a member of your family through the Federal Lifeline Program, which serves nearly 13 million Americans.
The Lifeline Program program provides discounts on cell phone service or home phone service for qualifying low-income consumers, including those on Food Stamps.
Here are the companies that participate in the program in the state of Maryland.
There are different companies providing cell phone (Mobile Service) and home phone service (Home Service). Be sure to view the “Type of Service” column to make sure you are selecting the right company.
- Home Service means that the provider offers Lifeline home phone or Internet service.
- Mobile Service means the provider offers Lifeline mobile phone or Internet service.
Company Name | Phone | Type of Service |
Assist Wireless* | 855-392-7747 | Mobile Service |
Assurance Wireless | 888-321-5880 | Mobile Service |
CellSpan* | 844-235-7726 | Mobile Service |
Armstrong Telephone Company | 724-283-0925 | Home Service |
TerraCom Wireless* | 877-351-4747 | Mobile Service |
StandUP Wireless* | 800-544-4441 | Mobile Service |
Tag Mobile* | 866-959-4918 | Mobile Service |
True Wireless* | 877-412-1919 | Mobile Service |
Tempo Telecom, LLC* | 877-822-8501 | Mobile Service |
American Assistance* | 866-966-2628 | Mobile Service |
Safelink Wireless* | 800-723-3546 | Mobile Service |
Boomerang Wireless* | 866-488-8719 | Mobile Service |
Access Wireless* | 866-594-3644 | Mobile Service |
Q Link Wireless* | 855-754-6543 | Mobile Service |
US Connect | 855-567-8953 | Mobile Service |
Life Wireless* | 888-543-3620 | Mobile Service |
Assurance Wireless* | 888-898-4888 | Mobile Service |
An asterisk (*) after the company name means that this service provider offers both ACP and Lifeline.
Discounts on Internet Service and Laptop/Tablet
If you are currently on Food Stamps, and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for FREE or low-cost internet service and a one-time credit towards the purchase of a laptop or tablet. for you or a member of your family through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
How much of a discount will I receive on my Internet Service?
If your household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 towards the purchase of an eligible laptop, tablet, or desktop computer
For the companies that participate in the program in the state of Maryland, see the Maryland Low Income Free Internet Program guide.
Maryland Thanksgiving & Christmas Giveaways
See the Maryland Thanksgiving Dinner and Giveaway Guide for 2023.
Maryland Food Stamps and EBT Summary
We hope this post on Maryland Food Stamps and EBT was helpful.
If you have further questions about SNAP Benefits & EBT, or Personal Finance topics affecting low-income households, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on low-income personal finance.