Benefit programs in Maryland (2026)
For families in Maryland we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
For some of Maryland's own programs below we already have a vetted maximum from the official source. Those show "Up to $X/year". For programs without a vetted cap, we describe the program and link its official page while we finish computed-depth verification. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Maryland families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 8 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. Maryland also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program (Circuit Breaker). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. Maryland also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Maryland Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Maryland runs 8 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "MD Brain Injury Waiver (40198.R05.00)" and "MD Community Pathways Waiver (0023.R08.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Maryland Medicaid, or call 1-844-MAP-LINK.
- MD Brain Injury Waiver (40198.R05.00)
- MD Community Pathways Waiver (0023.R08.00)
- MD Home and Community Based Options Waiver (0265.R06.00)
- MD Medical Day Care Services Waiver (0645.R03.00)
- MD Model Waiver for Fragile Children (40118.R08.00)
- MD Waiver for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (0339.R05.00)
- WAIVER TERMINATED - MD Family Supports Waiver (1466.R02.00)
- WAIVER TERMINATED – MD Community Supports Waiver (1506.R02.00)
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Maryland?
Maryland has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program (Circuit Breaker). Sets a ceiling on property tax as a percentage of income. Tax limit = 0% of the first $8,000 of combined gross household income + 4% of the next $4,000 + 6.5% of the next $4,000 + 9% of all income above $16,000. Credit = actual property tax minus this limit. Applies only to the tax on the first $300,000 of assessed value; excludes water/sewer and excess acreage. That figure is confirmed against Maryland's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). Maryland runs 9 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-844-MAP-LINK and ask which apply to you.
11 programs in Maryland. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Vetted maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program (Circuit Breaker) GOV VERIFIED | Sets a ceiling on property tax as a percentage of income. Tax limit = 0% of the first $8,000 of combined gross household income + 4% of the next $4,000 + 6.5% of the next $4,000 + 9% of all income above $16,000. Credit = actual property tax minus this limit. Applies only to the tax on the first $300,000 of assessed value; excludes water/sewer and excess acreage. | Official source → | |
| Homestead Property Tax Credit (Assessment Increase Cap) GOV | Caps the annual increase in the TAXABLE assessment of an owner-occupied principal residence. State law limits the increase to no more than 10% per year (i.e., taxed value cannot exceed 110% of the prior year's taxable assessment). Every county/municipality must set a cap of 10% or less; many set lower caps (some as low as 0%). Credit offsets tax on assessment growth above the applicable cap. | Official source → | |
| Renters' Tax Credit Program GOV VERIFIED | Assumes 15% of occupancy rent represents property tax. Credit = 15% of annual occupancy rent minus a tax limit (0% of the first $4,000 of income + 2.5% of the next $4,000 + 5.5% of income above $8,000). Maximum credit is $1,000, paid as a direct check from the State Treasury. | Up to $1,000/year. Income limit: 60+/disabled path uses a rent-to-income formula (no fixed cap; e.g., worthwhile up to roughly $73,000 depending on rent). Under-60-with-dependent path uses gross income ceilings by household size (approx. $19,720 for 2 persons up to $55,700 for 9 persons; charts adjust annually). Tax year 2025. Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation → | Official source → |
| 100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (Tax-Property Article Section 7-208) GOV | FULL (100%) exemption of the veteran's dwelling (principal residence, including lot/curtilage and structures such as a garage) from property tax. Mandatory refunds available back to tax year 2018-2019 for periods when eligible but not granted (within a 3-year window). | Official source → | |
| Surviving Spouse Exemption - Disabled Veteran or Military Line-of-Duty Casualty (Section 7-208) GOV | FULL (100%) exemption of the dwelling. For a surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, or a surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty. Unmarried surviving spouse may carry the exemption to a subsequently acquired dwelling (equal to prior exemption). Lost on remarriage. | Official source → | |
| Disabled Active-Duty Service Member Exemption (Section 7-208) GOV | FULL (100%) exemption of the dwelling for an active-duty service member with a service-connected physical disability reasonably certain to continue for life (not caused by misconduct). Annual re-certification of active-duty status required. | Official source → | |
| Blind Persons Exemption GOV VERIFIED | Exemption of $40,000 of the dwelling's assessed value (prorated in the year of application). A surviving spouse may continue the exemption after the blind individual's death if not remarried. | Official source → | |
| Health/Medical Improvement Exemption (Tax-Property Article Section 8-233) GOV | The added value from a home improvement, change, or addition necessitated by a resident's health or medical condition is not counted as taxable. Exemption may not exceed 10% of the property's total market value (land + improvements). Physician application required. | Official source → | |
| Local Senior / Elderly & Retired-Military Property Tax Credit (Tax-Property Article Section 9-245; county supplements) GOV | County-administered LOCAL OPTION; amount varies by county. Example (Montgomery County Senior Tax Credit): credit equal to 50% of the combined State Homeowners' Tax Credit + County Supplement, for homeowners 65+ who qualify for the state HTC or county supplement (auto-calculated, no separate application). Many counties also offer a separate credit for owners 65+ who are long-term (e.g., 40-year) residents or retired military, setting their own percentage and duration. Not offered uniformly statewide. | Official source → | |
| Local Property Tax Deferral (Elderly / Income-Qualified) - county option GOV VERIFIED | County-administered LOCAL OPTION; not offered in all counties. Where offered, eligible homeowners may defer payment of some or all property tax; the deferred amount becomes a lien payable (with interest) on sale/transfer. Example (Montgomery County): defers the amount by which current-year County tax exceeds the prior year's County tax; requires prior-year gross household income under $120,000 and 5+ years of ownership/residence; total deferred taxes plus interest may not exceed 50% of the property's full cash value. | Official source → | |
| Maryland residential property-tax relief (cross-check) ANALYSIS VERIFIED | ANALYSIS cross-check (Lincoln Institute, Significant Features of the Property Tax): confirms the Homeowners' Circuit Breaker thresholds 0%/4%/6.5%/9% with income ceiling in the $50,000+ band, the Homestead assessment cap effectively limiting taxable value to 110% of the prior year, and relief limited to the first $300,000 of assessed value. Consistent with the SDAT figures above. | Official source → |
Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program (Circuit Breaker) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Sets a ceiling on property tax as a percentage of income. Tax limit = 0% of the first $8,000 of combined gross household income + 4% of the next $4,000 + 6.5% of the next $4,000 + 9% of all income above $16,000. Credit = actual property tax minus this limit. Applies only to the tax on the first $300,000 of assessed value; excludes water/sewer and excess acreage.
- Official source
- Official source →
Homestead Property Tax Credit (Assessment Increase Cap) GOV
- Benefit
Caps the annual increase in the TAXABLE assessment of an owner-occupied principal residence. State law limits the increase to no more than 10% per year (i.e., taxed value cannot exceed 110% of the prior year's taxable assessment). Every county/municipality must set a cap of 10% or less; many set lower caps (some as low as 0%). Credit offsets tax on assessment growth above the applicable cap.
- Official source
- Official source →
Renters' Tax Credit Program GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Assumes 15% of occupancy rent represents property tax. Credit = 15% of annual occupancy rent minus a tax limit (0% of the first $4,000 of income + 2.5% of the next $4,000 + 5.5% of income above $8,000). Maximum credit is $1,000, paid as a direct check from the State Treasury.
- Vetted maximum
Up to $1,000/year. Income limit: 60+/disabled path uses a rent-to-income formula (no fixed cap; e.g., worthwhile up to roughly $73,000 depending on rent). Under-60-with-dependent path uses gross income ceilings by household size (approx. $19,720 for 2 persons up to $55,700 for 9 persons; charts adjust annually). Tax year 2025. Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation →
- Official source
- Official source →
100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (Tax-Property Article Section 7-208) GOV
- Benefit
FULL (100%) exemption of the veteran's dwelling (principal residence, including lot/curtilage and structures such as a garage) from property tax. Mandatory refunds available back to tax year 2018-2019 for periods when eligible but not granted (within a 3-year window).
- Official source
- Official source →
Surviving Spouse Exemption - Disabled Veteran or Military Line-of-Duty Casualty (Section 7-208) GOV
- Benefit
FULL (100%) exemption of the dwelling. For a surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, or a surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty. Unmarried surviving spouse may carry the exemption to a subsequently acquired dwelling (equal to prior exemption). Lost on remarriage.
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Active-Duty Service Member Exemption (Section 7-208) GOV
- Benefit
FULL (100%) exemption of the dwelling for an active-duty service member with a service-connected physical disability reasonably certain to continue for life (not caused by misconduct). Annual re-certification of active-duty status required.
- Official source
- Official source →
Blind Persons Exemption GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Exemption of $40,000 of the dwelling's assessed value (prorated in the year of application). A surviving spouse may continue the exemption after the blind individual's death if not remarried.
- Official source
- Official source →
Health/Medical Improvement Exemption (Tax-Property Article Section 8-233) GOV
- Benefit
The added value from a home improvement, change, or addition necessitated by a resident's health or medical condition is not counted as taxable. Exemption may not exceed 10% of the property's total market value (land + improvements). Physician application required.
- Official source
- Official source →
Local Senior / Elderly & Retired-Military Property Tax Credit (Tax-Property Article Section 9-245; county supplements) GOV
- Benefit
County-administered LOCAL OPTION; amount varies by county. Example (Montgomery County Senior Tax Credit): credit equal to 50% of the combined State Homeowners' Tax Credit + County Supplement, for homeowners 65+ who qualify for the state HTC or county supplement (auto-calculated, no separate application). Many counties also offer a separate credit for owners 65+ who are long-term (e.g., 40-year) residents or retired military, setting their own percentage and duration. Not offered uniformly statewide.
- Official source
- Official source →
Local Property Tax Deferral (Elderly / Income-Qualified) - county option GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
County-administered LOCAL OPTION; not offered in all counties. Where offered, eligible homeowners may defer payment of some or all property tax; the deferred amount becomes a lien payable (with interest) on sale/transfer. Example (Montgomery County): defers the amount by which current-year County tax exceeds the prior year's County tax; requires prior-year gross household income under $120,000 and 5+ years of ownership/residence; total deferred taxes plus interest may not exceed 50% of the property's full cash value.
- Official source
- Official source →
Maryland residential property-tax relief (cross-check) ANALYSIS VERIFIED
- Benefit
ANALYSIS cross-check (Lincoln Institute, Significant Features of the Property Tax): confirms the Homeowners' Circuit Breaker thresholds 0%/4%/6.5%/9% with income ceiling in the $50,000+ band, the Homestead assessment cap effectively limiting taxable value to 110% of the prior year, and relief limited to the first $300,000 of assessed value. Consistent with the SDAT figures above.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Maryland?
Up to $1,100 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Maryland's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $600 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Maryland.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Maryland the published heating maximum is $1,100. Crisis maximum: $600. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Maryland: Social Security and U.S. Railroad Retirement benefits are NOT taxed by Maryland at any income level. Any portion that was taxable on the federal return (included in federal AGI) is subtracted on Maryland Form 502, line 11. Source: Comptroller of Maryland Technical Bulletin No. 51 (effective April 10, 2025), Section III.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: PENSION EXCLUSION (Worksheet 13A): Residents who, on the last day of the tax year, are (a) age 65 or older, (b) totally disabled, or (c) whose spouse is totally disabled may subtract qualifying pension/retirement-annuity income up to a maximum of $41,200 for tax year 2025 (it was $39,500 for TY2024). ONLY distributions from an employer retirement system qualified under IRC Section 401(a), 403, or 457(b) qualify (defined-benefit pensions, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)). Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, rollover IRA, SEP, Keogh, ineligible deferred comp, and foreign retirement income do NOT qualify for the pension exclusion. The exclusion is reduced DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR by Social Security/Railroad Retirement benefits received; if those benefits exceed $41,200 the pension exclusion is $0. SEPARATE SUBTRACTIONS (not reduced by Social Security): military retirement income up to $20,000 (age 55+) or $12,500 (
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Maryland too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Maryland for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-844-MAP-LINK. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Maryland. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 800-332-6347.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-844-MAP-LINKWhich of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.