Howard County
Ask about Howard County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Howard County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Howard County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · State office
Howard County Department of Social Services
9780 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Public assistanceApply for public assistance and get help with benefit programs.
- Child and family servicesGet help with child welfare, foster care, adoption, and family services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.maryland.gov
Public health · State office
Howard County WIC Program
8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia, MD 21045
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportWIC provides food benefits and nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Child support · State office
Maryland Child Support Administration, Howard County
9780 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support payments and case services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.maryland.gov
Human services · County office
Howard County Multiservice Center
9900 Washington Boulevard, Laurel, MD 20723
Help here
- Resident support and referralsFind referrals and help with housing, financial, legal, utility, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Housing help · County office
Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development
9755 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 302, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Housing assistance informationFind information about affordable housing, rental help, and homelessness services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Howard County Housing Commission
9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Housing vouchersGet information about housing vouchers and other affordable housing options.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on househoward.org
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Maryland
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall to find local help with housing, food, health care, utility bills, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211md.org
Public health · State office
Howard County Health Department
8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia, MD 21045
Help here
- Public health servicesFind health services, health information, and help connecting to care.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Mental health and recovery · State office
Howard County Health Department Bureau of Behavioral Health
8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia, MD 21045
Help here
- Behavioral health navigationGet connected to mental health and substance use services in the community.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Circuit Court for Howard County Law Library and Legal Resource Center
9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Help here
- Legal research and self-help resourcesUse legal research materials and get information about free legal help for self-represented people.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on courts.state.md.us
Older adults · County office
Howard County Office on Aging and Independence
9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Aging and independence servicesGet information about services that help older adults and people with disabilities live safely in the community.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Veterans · County office
Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families
9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Veteran and military family resource navigationGet help finding benefits and community services for veterans and military families.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Emergency help · County office
Howard County Office of Emergency Management
3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationFind guidance to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcountymd.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
Howard County Workforce Center
9755 Patuxent Woods Drive, 3rd Floor, Columbia, MD 21046
Help here
- Job search and career helpGet help with job searches, resumes, career planning, and training referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on labor.maryland.gov
State office
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Columbia Limited Service Location
6490 Dobbin Road, Suite J, Columbia, MD 21045
Help here
- Motor vehicle servicesVisit this limited service location for the motor vehicle services it provides.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mva.maryland.gov
Library · Regional office
Howard County Library System
Help here
- Library servicesUse library collections, computers, learning programs, and other library services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hclibrary.org
Howard County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Howard County first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
40 West Assistance and Referral Center
40 West Assistance & Referral Center
12 miles from the center of Howard County4711 Edmondson Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1 PM
- Wed10 AM to 1 PM
- Fri10 AM to 1 PM
Listed on 40west.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Popup Market
UEmpower of Maryland
15 miles from the center of Howard County424 S. Pulaski Street, Baltimore, MD 21223
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
The doors open at 9am. Tuesdays 10:00 Popup Market; Thursdays 10:00 Popup Market w/ Cooking Demos; Saturdays 9:00 Popup Market.
Who can come: Food-insecure and vulnerable people of Southwest Baltimore
Listed on uempowerofmd.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Hot Lunch
Paul's Place
16 miles from the center of Howard County1118 Ward Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri11 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: All
Listed on paulsplaceoutreach.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Clare's Kitchen
The Franciscan Center of Baltimore
17 miles from the center of Howard County101 W. 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
The kitchen provides a nutritious meal Monday thru Friday and on Tuesday & Wednesday nights.
Who can come: People in need
Listed on fcbmore.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Our Daily Bread Employment Center
Catholic Charities of Baltimore
17 miles from the center of Howard County725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
The daily meal is served every day (beginning at 10:30 a.m.). Breakfast is served every weekday to the elderly and those with special needs.
Who can come: Men and women in need across the greater Baltimore area. Lunch is open to anyone in need. Breakfast is for adults 55 and older and veterans of any age.
Listed on cc-md.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Prepared Meals
City of Refuge Baltimore
17 miles from the center of Howard County3501 7th Street, Baltimore, MD 21225
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM
- Thu11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Everyone
Listed on corbaltimore.squarespace.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Howard County
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Maryland Food Bank
2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore, MD 21227
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Maryland Legal Aid
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Community Action Council of Howard County MD Inc.
9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
Listed on dhcd.maryland.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Maryland programs by kind of help
These are run by Maryland and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 211 Maryland
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988