How to Report Changes to SNAP in Maryland: A Practical Guide

If you receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits in Maryland, you are required to report certain changes to the state so your case stays accurate and your benefits are calculated correctly. This guide explains what to report, when, and how, and what to expect after you contact the official agency.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government office, caseworker service, or application portal. To actually report changes, you will need to use Maryland’s official SNAP channels, such as the state’s benefits website, local Department of Social Services office, or official phone lines.

Understanding SNAP in Maryland

SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps eligible households buy food. In Maryland, SNAP is managed by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), usually through your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office.

Once your household is approved, you receive benefits each month on an EBT card, as long as you continue to meet the rules. Part of those rules is telling the agency about important changes in your situation.

Why Reporting Changes Matters

Reporting changes to SNAP in Maryland is important because:

• Your benefit amount is based on your current situation (income, household size, housing costs, etc.).
• If you do not report required changes, you could:
  • Be overpaid and later be asked to pay money back
  • Have your benefits reduced or stopped
  • Face possible penalties in serious cases

On the other hand, promptly reporting changes can sometimes increase your benefits (for example, if your income goes down or your household size increases).

Types of Changes You May Need to Report

Maryland rules can vary slightly depending on your reporting status (for example, “simplified reporting” vs. other categories), but in general, households must report major changes that affect eligibility or benefit amounts.

Common Changes You Should Report

Changes that are commonly required to be reported include:

• Income changes
  • Starting or stopping a job
  • Significant change in work hours
  • New income from self-employment
  • Changes in Social Security, unemployment, or other benefits
• Household size changes
  • Someone moves in or out
  • A baby is born or a child leaves the home
  • Marriage, separation, or divorce
• Address or shelter cost changes
  • New address
  • New rent or mortgage amount
  • Change in utilities you pay (e.g., now paying heating, electricity, or water separately)
• Immigration or citizenship status changes of any household member
• Student status changes
  • A household member starts college or stops attending
• Work or work requirement changes
  • If you are subject to work rules and your hours drop or you lose a job
• Disability or health-related changes that affect:
  • Ability to work (for those subject to work requirements)
  • Eligibility for certain deductions (for elderly/disabled members)
• Changes in dependent care expenses
  • New or increased child care or adult care costs
• Changes in medical expenses (for elderly or disabled members)
  • New recurring prescriptions
  • Higher out-of-pocket medical costs that you pay regularly

Changes You Must Report Right Away vs. at Recertification

Some households in Maryland have to report only certain changes during their certification period (time between recertifications). Others must report most changes as they happen. This usually depends on:

• Whether anyone in your home is elderly or disabled
• Whether you have earned income (from work)
• How the state has classified your case

To be sure what applies to you, check:

• Your approval or recertification notice
• Any SNAP reporting requirement letter from your local DSS office
• By calling your local SNAP/food supplement hotline or caseworker

If you are unsure, it is generally safer to report the change and ask if it is required.

When You Need to Report Changes in Maryland

Maryland SNAP notices often give specific deadlines for reporting changes. A common rule is that required changes must be reported within 10 days of when the change occurs or when you learn about it, but this can vary based on your case type.

To check your exact deadline:

• Review your SNAP approval or recertification letter
• Call your local Department of Social Services office or the state’s official SNAP helpline

Tip: When you contact the agency, ask them to confirm:

• Whether the change must be reported immediately or at recertification
• Whether you will need to provide proof (and what kind)

How to Report Changes to SNAP in Maryland

You usually have several options to report changes to SNAP in Maryland. Not every option is available in every county, so check with your local DSS office or the official Maryland benefits portal for the methods they support.

1. Online Through the Official Maryland Benefits Portal

Maryland typically offers an online benefits portal where you can:

• Report changes to your existing SNAP case
• Upload documents
• Check communication from the agency

To use the online portal, you usually need to:

1. Create an account or log in to your existing account.
2. Find your SNAP case in the system.
3. Select an option like “Report a Change”, “Update My Case”, or similar.
4. Enter the details of your change (dates, amounts, who is affected).
5. Upload any supporting documents, if available.
6. Submit your update and save or print confirmation if the portal provides one.

If you are unsure of the correct website, look for it:

• On official Maryland DHS materials or letters you have received
• By calling your local DSS office and asking for the official site name
• By confirming you are on a “.gov” site or the site listed on your SNAP paperwork

2. By Phone

You may be able to report changes:

• Through a statewide SNAP/food supplement customer service line, or
• By calling your local Department of Social Services office directly

When calling, have this information ready:

• Your full name
• Your case number or client ID (usually on your approval notice or EBT paperwork)
• Your date of birth
• Details about the change (who, what, when, and new income or expenses)

Ask the representative:

• If the change must be followed up in writing
• Whether you should mail, fax, or upload proof
• For a reference number or confirmation of your call, if available

3. In Person at Your Local Department of Social Services

You can usually report changes by going to your local DSS office in person. This may be helpful if:

• You do not have reliable internet access
• You have multiple documents to provide
• You need language access or other assistance

At the office, you might:

• Fill out a change report form
• Talk to a caseworker or front desk worker
• Turn in copies of your documents

Ask staff if:

• You need to sign anything
• You can get a stamped copy or receipt showing that you reported the change

4. By Mail or Fax

Maryland may allow you to report changes by mail or fax using:

• A change report form
• A signed letter that clearly explains the change

If using mail or fax:

1. Make sure your letter or form includes:
   • Your full name
   • Your case or client number
   • Your current address and phone number
   • A clear description of the change and date it occurred
2. Attach copies (not originals) of any proof documents.
3. Keep copies of everything you send.
4. If possible, use certified mail or print a fax confirmation so you have proof it was sent.

Key Information and Documents to Gather

Having the right documents ready can make the process smoother and reduce delays.

Basic Information You’ll Need

• Your SNAP case number or client ID
• Names and birthdates of household members affected by the change
• Date of the change (for example, the day you started a new job, moved, or someone moved in/out)

Common Proof Documents

Here are examples of proof you may be asked to provide:

• Income changes
  • Recent pay stubs (usually last 30 days)
  • A letter from your employer stating new hours or rate of pay
  • Benefit letters for unemployment, Social Security, or other income
• Household composition changes
  • Birth certificates for newborns (when available)
  • School records or another document showing a child lives with you
  • Lease or statement from landlord showing who lives in the home
• Address and housing costs
  • Lease, rental agreement, or mortgage statement
  • Utility bills (electric, water, gas, etc.)
• Immigration or citizenship status
  • Permanent resident card
  • Other official immigration documents
• Medical expenses (for elderly or disabled members)
  • Pharmacy printouts
  • Medical bills
  • Receipts for prescriptions or ongoing treatments
• Child or dependent care expenses
  • Receipts or statements from daycare or caregiver
  • A signed letter from the person or center providing care

If you do not have a document the agency requests, ask if there are alternate proofs you can provide or whether they can help you request verification from another source.

Quick Reference: Ways to Report SNAP Changes in Maryland

What Happens After You Report a Change

Once you report a change to Maryland SNAP through an official channel:

1. The agency reviews your information.
   They may adjust your benefit amount, keep it the same, or decide your household is no longer eligible.

2. You may be contacted for more information.
   They might:

   • Ask for additional documents
   • Schedule a phone or in-person interview
   • Send a letter explaining what else is needed

3. You receive a written notice.
   After your case is updated, you should get an official notice telling you:

   • Whether your benefits are increasing, decreasing, staying the same, or ending
   • When the change takes effect
   • Your right to appeal if you disagree

If Your Benefits Go Down or Stop

If you report a change and your benefits decrease or end, the notice should explain:

• The reason for the decision
• The date the change will start
• How to request a fair hearing or appeal
  (usually by a deadline listed in the notice)

If you appeal by the deadline, you may be able to continue receiving your previous benefit amount while your case is reviewed, but if the decision is upheld, you might have to repay the extra benefits. Ask the agency to explain your options before deciding.

Common Issues That Can Delay or Affect Your SNAP Case

People in Maryland often run into the same types of problems when reporting changes:

• Missing documents
  • The agency cannot fully update your case without required proof.
• Incomplete details
  • For example, reporting “I started a job” but not providing start date, employer name, hours, or pay rate.
• Not updating address
  • If you move and do not report it, you might miss important letters and deadlines.
• Misunderstanding reporting rules
  • Some people think they only need to report changes once a year, but required changes might be due within 10 days or another time limit.
• Relying on unofficial websites or social media
  • This can lead to outdated or incorrect information. Always verify information with official Maryland SNAP sources.

If you think there is a mistake:

• Call your local DSS office or the state SNAP helpline
• Ask them to review your case or explain how they calculated your benefits

How Appeals and Fair Hearings Usually Work

If you believe Maryland SNAP made an error after you reported a change, you can typically appeal:

1. Read your notice carefully.
   It should explain:

   • Why the agency made the decision
   • How long you have to request a hearing
   • Where to send your request (mail, fax, or in person)

2. Submit a written request for a fair hearing.
   Include:

   • Your name and case number
   • A statement that you disagree with the decision
   • The specific action you are appealing (for example, “benefit reduction starting [date]”)

3. Prepare for the hearing.
   You can:

   • Gather documents that support your case
   • Bring witnesses who know about your situation (if any)
   • Ask if there are legal aid or advocacy groups in your area that can help

4. Attend the hearing.
   Hearings may be held by phone or in person, depending on Maryland procedures at the time.

If the hearing officer finds that an error was made, your benefits may be adjusted or restored, usually back to the date the incorrect action took effect.

If You No Longer Qualify for SNAP

If, after reporting changes, your household no longer qualifies for SNAP in Maryland, you still may have other options:

• Check if you qualify again later.
  • If your income drops or your situation changes again, you may be able to reapply through the official portal or local DSS office.
• Look into other assistance programs.
  Possible resources include:
  • WIC (for pregnant women, infants, and children under 5)
  • School meal programs (free or reduced-price meals for children)
  • Local food pantries and food banks
• Call 211.
  • In many areas, dialing 211 connects you with a community resource line that can help you find:
    • Food assistance
    • Housing support
    • Utility help
    • Other local programs

These services are not run by HowToGetAssistance.org; they are separate community and government resources you can contact directly.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

When reporting changes to SNAP in Maryland, it’s important to be sure you are dealing with official channels:

• Check the website address.
  • Official Maryland government sites usually end in “.gov” or are clearly identified as Maryland DHS or a related state agency.
• Be cautious with texts, emails, or social media messages.
  • The state may send notices, but they will not ask you to:
    • Pay a fee to keep your SNAP
    • Share your full Social Security number or EBT PIN by text or email
• Do not give your EBT PIN to anyone.
  • Agency staff may ask for identification information, but they typically do not need your EBT card PIN to help with your case.
• Confirm phone numbers.
  • Use numbers listed on:
    • Your official SNAP paperwork
    • The state DHS website
    • Your local DSS office
• If something feels off, hang up and call your local DSS office or the official SNAP helpline using a number you trust.

By understanding which changes to report, how soon to report them, and how to contact Maryland’s official SNAP offices, you can help keep your benefits accurate and avoid problems later. When in doubt, contact your local Department of Social Services or the state’s official SNAP information line and ask how they want you to report your specific change.