Senior benefits in St. Mary's County, Maryland
Seniors living in St. Mary's County, Maryland have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, energy bills, and more. The Department of Aging and Human Services serves as the local Area Agency on Aging and is a strong starting point for finding help close to home. Locally, seniors may also qualify for Hospital Financial Assistance through MedStar St. Mary's Hospital, energy bill help through the county's Energy Assistance (OHEP) intake office, and rides through the Senior & Accessible Transportation program offered by St. Mary's Transit System. State programs available here include the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit, Renters' Tax Credit, Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP), and Maryland's Medicare Savings Programs, among others. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final decision on eligibility.
4
Local programs
12
Maryland programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
Department of Aging and Human Services
1-301-475-4200
See which of these St. Mary's County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the St. Mary's County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in St. Mary's County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving St. Mary's County. Start here.
Elder Services in St. Mary's County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging (Department of Aging and Human Services) — St. Mary's
County · MarylandDepartment of Aging and Human Services is the Area Agency on Aging and Maryland Access Point (MAP) partner serving St. Mary's: benefits counseling (Medicare/SHIP, energy assistance, SNAP), senior center and nutrition programs, home-delivered meals, caregiver support, Senior Care case management, and long-term-care options counseling. Services are free for adults 60 and over. Call 30475-4200 or MAP statewide at 1-844-627-5465.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in St. Mary's County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $100–$1,500 a year.
Energy Assistance (OHEP) intake — St. Mary's
County · MarylandSt. Mary’s County takes Maryland Energy Assistance (MEAP) and Electric Universal Service Program applications for St. Mary's residents — heating and electric bill help and arrearage assistance. Apply through myMDTHINK, by mail, or in person; call 301-274-4474 with questions.
Estimated bill savings: $100–$1,500 a year
Healthcare in St. Mary's County
Hospital Financial Assistance (MedStar St. Mary's Hospital) — St. Mary's
County · MarylandUninsured and underinsured residents of St. Mary's can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. MedStar Health uses the Maryland uniform financial assistance application across its hospitals; eligibility is determined for Maryland, DC, and northern-Virginia residents. Maryland law requires every hospital to offer financial assistance with state-set minimums.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in St. Mary's County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior & Accessible Transportation (St. Mary's Transit System) — St. Mary's
County · MarylandSt. Mary's is served by St. Mary's Transit System (STS) fixed-route and demand-response service under MDOT MTA's Locally Operated Transit Systems program. Older adults and people with disabilities can use reduced fares, demand-response rides, or ADA paratransit for medical appointments, shopping, and errands — services and fares vary by system. The Area Agency on Aging (30475-4200) helps arrange senior transportation.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving St. Mary's County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Department of Aging and Human Services
Runs: Area Agency on Aging (Department of Aging and Human Services)
MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (MedStar St. Mary's Hospital)
St. Mary's locally operated transit (MDOT MTA LOTS program)
Runs: Senior & Accessible Transportation (St. Mary's Transit System)
Maryland and federal programs
Open to eligible households in St. Mary's County and across the rest of Maryland. Full details are on the Maryland benefits page.
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Maryland Energy Assistance (OHEP / MEAP)State · Maryland$100–$1,500/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- Food Supplement Program (SNAP) for Older Adults — MarylandState · Maryland$300–$3,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Maryland Medicaid for Aged, Blind or Disabled AdultsState · Maryland$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — MarylandState · Marylandabout $0/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP) — MarylandState · Maryland$300–$1,200/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home & Community-Based Options Waiver + Community First Choice — MarylandState · Maryland$5,000–$50,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI) — MarylandState · Maryland$2,000–$8,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Senior Call Check & Social Connections — MarylandState · Marylandabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR) — MarylandState · Marylandabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Homeowners' Property Tax Credit — MarylandState · Maryland$200–$2,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Renters' Tax Credit (60+) — MarylandState · Maryland$100–$1,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Senior Income Tax Credit (65+) — MarylandState · Maryland$1,000–$1,750/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.