The main Maryland DHS customer service phone number is 1-800-332-6347. This toll-free line handles food supplement benefits (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance, child support, and the other programs run by the Maryland Department of Human Services. TTY users should dial 1-800-735-2258, and Maryland Relay users can dial 7-1-1.1Maryland Department of Human Services. Contact Us
All Maryland DHS Phone Numbers
Most inquiries route through the main line, but a few situations have their own numbers:
- General customer service: 1-800-332-6347
- TTY: 1-800-735-2258
- Maryland Relay: 7-1-1
- Child or adult abuse and neglect: 1-800-917-7383 (1-800-91-PREVENT)
- Emergencies: 911
Child support questions go through the main 1-800-332-6347 number as well. The automated menu will route you to the Child Support Administration once you choose the right option.2Maryland Department of Human Services. Contact CSA
One important boundary: Medicaid and other health coverage programs are run by the Maryland Department of Health, not DHS.3Maryland Department of Health. Medicaid Home Calling the DHS line about medical coverage will send you to the wrong agency.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
Calling without your paperwork is the fastest way to lose half an hour on hold and then be told to call back. Pull these together first:
- Social Security numbers for everyone in your household
- Your case number if you already receive benefits. It usually appears in the upper-right corner of any letter from DHS, or on the front of your EBT card
- Recent pay stubs or income records
- Dates of birth for all adults and children in the household
Without this information, the representative may not be able to pull up your case at all. If you are reporting a change, have the exact dates and dollar amounts in front of you too.
Getting Through the Automated Menu
When you dial 1-800-332-6347, an automated menu picks up before any person does. Listen to all the options before pressing anything, because the categories shift occasionally and a wrong press sends you to the back of a different queue. If your issue does not fit any category, look for the option to speak with a representative.
Call volume peaks on Mondays and during the first few days of each month, when benefits are deposited. Mid-week and mid-morning calls tend to have shorter waits. Keep your documents open so you can move quickly once an agent answers.
When to Call Your Local Office Instead
Maryland has 24 local Department of Social Services offices, one per county plus Baltimore City.4Maryland Department of Human Services. Local Offices The statewide hotline handles general questions and basic updates, but your case actually lives at the local office. If you need to reach the caseworker assigned to your file, ask about a pending application, or drop off documents, go local.
Hours and addresses vary. Check your county’s page on the DHS website before you call or visit.
Online Alternatives to Calling
Maryland runs an online benefits portal at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us where you can apply for benefits, check your case status, and report changes without waiting on hold. The DHS website also has a contact form for non-urgent questions.1Maryland Department of Human Services. Contact Us
For simple updates like a new address or phone number, the portal is usually faster than the phone. For a disputed benefit amount, a recertification problem, or anything where you need a letter explained, a call or a visit to your local office will get you further.
Language and Disability Access
If English is not your primary language, DHS is required under federal law to give you meaningful access to its programs. In practice, that means the agency arranges an interpreter during your call, whether through a bilingual staff member, a telephone interpretation service, or a contracted interpreter. You do not have to bring your own, and you should not be asked to rely on a family member or a child to translate.
The same principle covers hearing and speech disabilities. Beyond the TTY line at 1-800-735-2258, you can reach DHS through Maryland Relay by dialing 7-1-1.1Maryland Department of Human Services. Contact Us If an office is not providing an accommodation you need, you can request it, and the agency is required to respond.
Reporting Household Changes Within 10 Days
A large share of calls to the main line are about reported changes, and this is where people slip up. If your income, address, or household size changes, you have 10 days to report it to DHS.5Maryland Department of Human Services. Your Rights and Responsibilities Different reporting rules apply to some Food Supplement Program households in simplified reporting; the standard 10-day rule covers most cases.
Missing the window can trigger overpayments you will have to pay back, or underpayments that leave you short. When you call to report a change, write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and any reference number the agent provides. If your benefits do not adjust by the next pay cycle, call back with that information in hand.