Mid-Year Review & Your July Action Plan
📋 WHAT'S NEW: SNAP WORK REQUIREMENT CHANGES
Federal rules for SNAP (food assistance) changed under H.R. 1, and Maryland has been rolling them out at each household's recertification since November 2025. Here's what actually matters for you:
- You may be exempt — check first. You are excused from the new work rules if you are: age 60 or older or under 18; caring for a child under age 14; receiving disability benefits (SSDI, SSI, VA disability, or TDAP); pregnant; or determined "physically or medically unfit for employment" by a health professional (DHS Form 500). Exemptions are assessed at your recertification, not automatically — make sure your case file reflects your situation.
- Who the rule newly applies to: Adults 18–64 without a child under 14 at home, including some groups that were previously exempt — veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults who aged out of foster care (up to age 24) are now included unless another exemption applies.
- The requirement: 20 hours a week (80 hours a month) of work, volunteering, or an approved training program — or earning at least $217.50/week from work. In Maryland, that's as little as about 14.5 hours a week at minimum wage.
- If you don't meet it and aren't exempt: SNAP is limited to 3 months within a 3-year period. This is applied on a rolling basis tied to each household's recertification date — not all at once.
- What to do now: Confirm your recertification date at MarylandBenefits.gov or by calling DHS at (800) 332-6347. If you think you qualify for an exemption, tell your case manager before your recertification — don't wait for a denial notice.
Questions or need help documenting an exemption? Your CHA case manager can help you gather paperwork, or call Maryland Legal Aid at (410) 539-5340.
STEP 1: Do a Mid-Year Benefits Check
We're at the halfway point of 2026 — a natural time to make sure nothing slips. Confirm your SNAP and Medical Assistance recertification dates, check that DHS has your current address and phone number, and follow up on any tax refund or EITC payment from earlier this year that hasn't arrived. If you reported income changes since January, make sure they're reflected in your case file. Your case manager can pull up your renewal calendar in one visit.
STEP 2: Run a Mid-Year Budget Tune-Up
Take 15 minutes to compare your spending against your plan from January. Are utility costs trending up with summer AC use? Did a tax refund get used as intended, or absorbed into daily expenses? Small adjustments now — like enrolling in BGE Budget Billing before the highest summer bills hit — prevent bigger problems in August and September. Ask your case manager about free financial coaching through Maryland CASH at (410) 234-8008.
STEP 3: Protect Yourself From the Heat
Identify the coolest room in your home and know your nearest cooling center before you need it — call 211 or check baltimorecity.gov. If you have a medical condition that makes heat dangerous (heart disease, respiratory illness, or certain medications), tell your case manager; a medical hold against utility shutoffs may apply during Code Red alerts. If you don't have working AC, ask about AC assistance programs below — apply now, since supplies run out fast in peak summer.
BEATING THE HEAT: THE FULL GUIDE
Recognizing Heat Emergencies
Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, cool clammy skin, weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness. Get to a cool place, sip water slowly, apply cool wet cloths. If symptoms last more than an hour, seek medical care.
Heat stroke is a 911 EMERGENCY — body temperature 103°F or higher, hot/red/dry or damp skin, rapid strong pulse, confusion or unconsciousness. Move to a cool place immediately and call 911. Apply cool cloths or a cool bath while waiting. Do NOT give fluids to someone who is confused or unconscious.
Highest-risk groups: Adults over 65, infants and young children, people with chronic illness, people on certain medications (blood pressure meds, antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics), and people without reliable AC. Check on neighbors during heat waves — a quick knock can save a life.
What Baltimore does during Code Red Heat Alerts: Cooling centers open extended hours, BGE pauses non-emergency utility shutoffs, and outreach teams check on the unhoused. Call 211 for current Code Red status and cooling center locations near you.
💡 Did You Know? You May Be Able to Get an AC Unit
Maryland's Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and partner organizations sometimes provide window air conditioners free or at reduced cost to low-income households with a documented medical need. The Fuel Fund of Maryland — (410) 837-4208 — runs an annual AC distribution, though supplies are limited during peak summer demand. Ask your case manager about Mercy Health AC programs and local church distributions too. If your household is struggling to keep cool, don't wait — call today.
July Community Resources
🎆 Independence Day, Safely
Heat + Crowds + Fireworks
Baltimore's Inner Harbor and neighborhood celebrations draw big crowds on July 4th, and this year they'll coincide with extreme heat. Bring water, wear light clothing, and scope out shaded or air-conditioned spots along your route in advance. If you or someone with you starts to feel dizzy, nauseous, or confused, don't wait it out — move to shade or AC immediately and seek help if symptoms don't improve quickly. Fireworks are loud and can be distressing for veterans or anyone with PTSD — it's okay to watch from indoors or skip large displays.
🍎 Summer Meals Continue
Free Meals for Kids All Summer
The Summer Food Service Program continues through August at sites across Baltimore — free breakfast and lunch for anyone 18 and under, no ID or paperwork required. Text "FOOD" to 304-304 or call 211 to find the nearest site. SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) funds should already be loaded for eligible families — check your balance by calling (800) 332-6347.
💰 Mid-Year Money Moves
Small Steps, Real Impact
- Enroll in Budget Billing with BGE at (800) 685-0123 to spread summer AC costs evenly across the year instead of one high bill.
- Set aside part of any refund or back-pay you've received this year for an emergency fund — even $20 a month adds up.
- Review your SNAP and MA renewal dates now so nothing lapses without warning.
- Ask about free financial coaching through Maryland CASH — (410) 234-8008 — for a no-cost budget review.
🌀 Hurricane Season Reminder
Still Peak Season Through November
If you built a storm kit in June, check it this month — replace expired food or medications and confirm your flashlight batteries still work. If you haven't built one yet, the essentials are simple: water, non-perishable food, flashlight, medications, and copies of important documents in a waterproof bag. Sign up for alerts at baltimorecity.gov/notify.
July Community Resources and Services
| Organization |
Service |
Phone |
Details |
| Baltimore City Health Dept. |
Heat Alerts / Cooling Centers |
Call or text 211
health.baltimorecity.gov |
Code Red status, cooling center hours and locations across the city |
| Maryland DHS / SNAP |
Benefits & Work Req. Help |
(800) 332-6347
MarylandBenefits.gov |
Check recertification dates, ask about work requirement exemptions |
| Maryland Legal Aid |
Free Legal Help |
(410) 539-5340
mdlab.org |
Help appealing benefit denials, documenting exemptions, housing issues |
| Fuel Fund of Maryland |
Emergency Grants / AC Units |
(410) 837-4208
fuelfundmaryland.org |
One-time utility grants and limited AC distribution for medical-need households |
| BGE Customer Assistance |
Utility Payment Plans |
(800) 685-0123
bge.com |
Budget Billing enrollment, payment plans. Call BEFORE missing a payment |
| Maryland CASH Campaign |
Financial Coaching |
(410) 234-8008 |
Free one-on-one budgeting help, mid-year financial check-ins |
| Summer Food Service Program |
Free Kids' Meals |
Text "FOOD" to 304-304
Maryland Summer Meals Site Finder |
Free breakfast & lunch for anyone 18 and under. No ID, no paperwork |
| Maryland Food Bank |
Food Assistance |
(410) 737-8282
mdfoodbank.org |
Mobile pantries and family food boxes at Baltimore sites citywide |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline |
24/7 Crisis Support |
Call or text 988
988lifeline.org |
Free, confidential. Heat, isolation, and stress can build up — help is one call away |
| Baltimore Crisis Response |
Mental Health |
(410) 433-5175 |
24/7 crisis support for Baltimore City residents |
| Chase Brexton Health |
Primary / Mental Health |
(410) 837-2050
chasebrexton.org |
Medical, dental, mental health. Sliding scale, Medicaid accepted |
| Baltimore City 311 |
Non-Emergency City Services |
Call or text 311
balt311.baltimorecity.gov |
Report power lines, flooding, code violations. NOT for medical emergencies |
| 211 Maryland |
Resource Navigation |
Call or text 211
211md.org |
Free 24/7 help finding cooling centers, food, utility help, and more statewide |
IMPORTANT: Report Any Changes to CHA Within 10 Days
What to report: New jobs or changes in hours/wages, unemployment benefits, SSI/SSDI changes, child support, settlement payments, tax refunds over $2,000, household composition changes (adding or removing a family member), or any other new income source.
Why it matters: Timely reporting keeps your housing benefits accurate and protects you from back-charges or loss of assistance.
How to report: Contact your CHA case manager immediately when any income or household change occurs. Don't wait until your next scheduled meeting.
JULY CRITICAL REMINDERS
Extreme Heat: Code Red in effect — get to AC now if you don't have it. Call 211 for cooling centers.
Heat Stroke: Confusion + hot dry skin = call 911 immediately. Check on elderly neighbors.
SNAP Work Requirements: Check if you're exempt before your recertification. Call DHS at (800) 332-6347.
Mid-Year Check-In: Confirm benefit renewal dates and review your budget this month.
BGE Bills: Enroll in Budget Billing at (800) 685-0123 before the highest summer bills hit.
Free Kids' Meals: Text "FOOD" to 304-304 or call 211. Continues through the summer.
Your Case Manager: We are here every step of the way. Reach out — that's what we're for.
