How to Renew or Recertify SNAP Benefits in Maryland

Renewing your SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in Maryland is an important step to keep your monthly food assistance from stopping. This process is usually called recertification or redetermination.

This guide explains how SNAP renewal in Maryland typically works, what forms and documents you may need, how to submit them through official channels, and what to expect if something goes wrong.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only. It is not a government agency, cannot take applications, and cannot renew your benefits. To complete any action on your case, you must use Maryland’s official SNAP offices, websites, or phone lines.

What SNAP Renewal Means in Maryland

SNAP renewal (recertification) is the process Maryland uses to:

• Review your current situation (income, household size, expenses)
• Check that you still qualify for food benefits
• Set your next certification period

Maryland usually gives SNAP benefits for a set certification period, such as 6, 12, or 24 months. Before that period ends, you must:

1. Receive a recertification notice and form
2. Submit your renewal form on time
3. Complete an interview, if required
4. Provide proof (verification) if the local office asks

If you do not complete the steps by the deadline, your SNAP benefits may stop at the end of the certification period.

Who Needs to Recertify and When

How you usually know it’s time to renew

Maryland’s SNAP agency (often through the local Department of Social Services (DSS) or similar office) typically:

• Mails a recertification notice and form
• Sometimes sends reminders by text, email, or in the online benefits portal (if you signed up)

The notice usually includes:

• Your recertification deadline
• Instructions for renewing (online, mail, fax, in person, or phone where allowed)
• Whether an interview is required

If you are unsure when your benefits end, you can usually:

• Check your benefit approval letter
• Call your local DSS office or state SNAP hotline
• Log in to Maryland’s official online benefits portal (if you have an account)

Ways to Renew SNAP in Maryland

Maryland typically offers several options to submit your SNAP recertification. Availability can vary by county, so always confirm with your local office.

1. Online Renewal

Many people in Maryland can renew SNAP through the official state online benefits portal. Through that portal you can usually:

• Complete the recertification form
• Upload documents
• Check messages from the agency

To use this option, you typically need to:

• Create an account, or log in if you already have one
• Find your existing SNAP case
• Choose the recertification or renew benefits option
• Follow the prompts, answer all questions, and upload requested proof

2. By Mail or Fax

If you receive a paper recertification form, you can usually:

• Fill it out completely
• Sign and date it
• Attach copies of required documents
• Mail or fax it to the address or number listed on the form or your notice

Tip: Mail it early enough so it reaches the office before the deadline. Keep copies of everything you submit.

3. In Person

You can often renew in person at your local Department of Social Services or local SNAP office. Typical steps:

• Visit during business hours
• Ask for a SNAP recertification form if you do not already have one
• Complete the form and turn it in with your documents

Some offices may offer same-day interviews when you drop off your form, but this can vary by location and staffing.

4. By Phone (In Some Situations)

Some Maryland offices may allow recertification interviews or help with forms over the phone, especially in situations involving:

• Disability or health barriers
• Transportation problems
• Other hardships

You may still need to sign documents and send in verification. Call your local office or state SNAP hotline and ask what options are available.

Key Deadlines for SNAP Renewal in Maryland

Renewal is time-sensitive. Missing a deadline is one of the most common reasons people experience an interruption in benefits.

A typical timeline may look like:

Always follow the exact dates on your notice, as timelines can vary by case. If the notice and your portal show different dates, call your local office to confirm.

Information and Documents You May Need

For recertification, Maryland usually requires updated information about your household, income, and expenses.

Common information requested

• Names of everyone who lives with you
• Who buys and cooks food together
• Birthdates and sometimes Social Security numbers
• Current address and contact information
• Immigration status information for non‑citizens applying for benefits
• Work, income, and expenses

Typical documents to gather

Not every household needs every document, but commonly requested proof includes:

Identity and residency

• Government-issued photo ID
• Utility bill, lease, or other proof of Maryland address

Income

• Recent pay stubs (often last 30 days)
• Proof of self-employment income (invoices, ledgers, tax forms)
• Social Security, pension, or disability benefit letters
• Unemployment insurance benefit statements

Household expenses (when allowed to be counted):

• Rent or mortgage statements
• Property tax and homeowner’s insurance (if applicable)
• Utility bills (electric, gas, water, phone)
• Child care or dependent care bills
• Legally-obligated child support payments

Elderly/disabled expenses (for qualifying household members):

• Medical bills, receipts, or statements
• Health insurance premiums
• Transportation costs to medical appointments (if allowed in Maryland’s rules)

If you are missing a document, submit the recertification form anyway before the deadline and ask your local office what alternatives might be accepted.

Step-by-Step: How Recertification Usually Works

Below is a general overview of how SNAP recertification in Maryland may go:

1. Watch for your recertification notice

   • Read it carefully for your deadline, required interview, and instructions.

2. Gather your documents

   • Collect proof of income, rent/mortgage, utilities, and other expenses that Maryland counts toward SNAP eligibility.

3. Complete your recertification form

   • Answer all questions honestly and fully.
   • Report any changes since you first applied, such as:
     • New job or change in hours
     • Someone moved in or out
     • New child or dependent
     • Change in shelter or utility costs

4. Submit your form through an official channel

   • Online through Maryland’s official portal, or
   • Mail, fax, or in person to your local DSS office

5. Complete your interview (if required)

   • Interviews may be by phone or in person, depending on your local office’s process.
   • If you miss the first appointment, call the office as soon as possible to reschedule.

6. Respond quickly to requests for more information

   • If the office sends you a letter asking for missing documents or clarifications, send them by the date listed.
   • Keep copies of everything you send and note the date.

7. Watch for your recertification decision notice

   • You should receive a notice telling you if your benefits are:
     • Approved/continued
     • Changed (higher or lower amount)
     • Closed/denied, with a reason

If you submitted everything on time and completed the interview, Maryland may be able to continue benefits without a break into the next certification period.

What Happens If You Miss the Renewal Deadline

If you do not return your recertification form or complete your interview by the deadline:

• Your SNAP case may close
• Your EBT card will stop getting new benefits
• You may need to submit a new application to restart benefits

In some situations, if your form is only slightly late, Maryland may be able to process it without requiring a completely new application, but that depends on state rules and timing.

If your benefits stop:

1. Call your local Maryland SNAP office or the state hotline and ask:
   • Whether your case is closed or pending
   • What you need to do next (late recertification vs new application)
2. Follow their instructions carefully and ask if you need to schedule a new interview.

Common Reasons SNAP Recertification Gets Delayed or Denied

Delays and denials can often be avoided. Some frequent issues include:

• Late forms
  Recertification packet not received by the deadline.

• Incomplete forms
  Missing signatures, unanswered questions, or unclear information.

• Missing verification
  Not providing requested pay stubs, proof of rent, or other documents by the date requested.

• Unreported or unexplained income changes
  New job, gig work, or other income sources that are not reported or do not match verification.

• Missed interview
  Not answering the phone at the scheduled time or missing the in‑person appointment.

If you run into one of these problems, contact your local office as soon as possible. In many situations, issues can be fixed if you act quickly.

If Your SNAP Renewal Is Denied or Your Benefits Decrease

If Maryland denies your recertification or lowers your SNAP amount, the decision notice usually includes:

• The reason for the decision
• The effective date
• Information about your right to a fair hearing (appeal) and the deadline to request one

Your options may include:

1. Ask for an explanation or informal review

   • Call your local SNAP office to ask about the decision.
   • Sometimes mistakes or missing information can be corrected without a formal hearing.

2. Request a fair hearing

   • Follow the instructions in your notice to request a hearing by the deadline (often within a set number of days).
   • You can usually request a hearing in writing, and in some places by phone or in person.

3. Get help preparing

   • Some community legal aid organizations or advocacy groups may help you:
     • Understand your rights
     • Gather documents
     • Represent you at a hearing
   • You can often find them by calling 2‑1‑1 or searching for legal aid in your county.

In a hearing, you have the right to:

• See the evidence your local office used
• Present your own documents and witnesses
• Explain why you believe the decision is wrong

How to Verify You’re Using Official Maryland SNAP Channels

Because food assistance is critical, it’s important to avoid scams and unofficial sites that charge fees or ask for sensitive information.

Use these tips to stay safe:

• Never pay a fee to apply for, renew, or manage SNAP.
  The official process in Maryland is free.

• Check that you are dealing with an official office such as:

  • Maryland Department of Human Services or local Department of Social Services
  • A website ending in “.gov”
  • Phone numbers listed on official government mail or posted at government offices

• Be cautious of:

  • Websites or ads promising “guaranteed approval”
  • People offering to speed up your case for a fee
  • Requests to share your PIN for your EBT card (official staff will not ask for it)

If you are not sure whether a site or phone number is official:

• Look at your SNAP approval letter for official contact information
• Call your local Maryland DSS office directly using a number you know is correct
• Call 2‑1‑1 and ask how to reach Maryland’s official SNAP office

Other Food Resources If You Don’t Qualify or Have a Gap in Benefits

If your SNAP recertification is delayed, denied, or you no longer qualify, there may be other resources:

• Food pantries and food banks
  Many communities have nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and food banks that provide groceries at no cost.

• Community meals
  Some shelters, churches, and community centers offer free or low-cost meals.

• WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
  For eligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and young children.

• School and summer meal programs
  Children may qualify for free or reduced‑price school meals, and some areas offer summer meal programs.

You can often find nearby food resources by:

• Calling 2‑1‑1
• Contacting local community action agencies
• Asking your local SNAP office for information on food pantries and emergency food help

Renewing or recertifying SNAP in Maryland mainly comes down to watching your mail and portal messages, submitting your recertification on time, completing any required interview, and responding quickly to requests from your local office. When in doubt, contact your official Maryland SNAP office or hotline for instructions based on your specific case.