Urgent Needs - Community Response Grants

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Urgent Needs - Community Response Grants 

for Washington County, MD Residents Who Are Federal Employees

 

On October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down due to a lapse in appropriations. As a result, most federal employees are not being paid. This includes both those who are furloughed and those who are deemed "essential" and required to continue working. 

The United Way of Washington County acknowledges that many federal employees living in our community have faced financial hardships due to the ongoing government shutdown. Thanks to the generous support of our community partners, we are excited to announce the availability of our Urgent Needs - Community Response Grant for federal employees. These mini-grants are designed to ease the burden for our neighbors who have not been paid or furloughed as a result of the government shutdown.  Approved individuals may receive grocery gift cards, visit our hygiene closet, participate in our Thanksgiving Meal Box distribution, and, if needed, our Holiday Giving Tree program. The application deadline is Tuesday, November 25, 2025, or until funds have been depleted. 

An extension of the program may be considered if the government shutdown continues through December, provided the Urgent Needs Community Response Grant has not been exhausted. Please check this website after December 1st for updates, to see if additional funding is available, and to reapply for further support, if available.

Additional Community Resources

If you, your family, or someone you know is in need, many community organizations assist with food, clothing, and shelter. You are not alone; help is available. 

The Hagerstown Area Religious Council has numerous resources listed on its website. We have included a few web links below so that individuals seeking assistance can have the most up-to-date information at their fingertips! 

To Qualify, Applicants Must: 

  • Be a resident of Washington County, MD.
  • Be at least 18 years of age. 
  • Be a federal employee who has been furloughed or unpaid since the government shutdown.
  • Complete and submit the Urgent Needs Community Response grant application form with supporting documentation, which includes:
    • Proof of federal employment status, such as SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), W-2 forms, or performance appraisal. 
    • Address verification, such as an original utility bill, bank statement, rental/lease agreement, letter from the IRS or other government agency, etc.
    • Income verification (Pay stubs, W-2 forms, or most recent tax return, etc.)
    • Additional consideration will be made for those federal employees who meet ALICE criteria.

 

ALICE* stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It's an acronym used to describe households that live paycheck to paycheck, earning just above the Federal Poverty Level, and struggle to afford basic expenses while living on a modest household survival budget. 42% of Washington County residents are ALICE. ALICE has an income that disqualifies them (or limits their eligibility) for receiving public assistance, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and other subsidized benefits programs.   

  • Asset Limited: These households may have limited financial assets or savings. 
  • Income Constrained: Their income is not sufficient to cover the costs of essential needs. 
  • Employed: They are working and contributing to the economy, but their earnings are not enough to meet their basic needs. 

The ALICE Budget and Income Status tool is tailored by location and household composition to determine if a household is Poverty-Level, ALICE, or Above the ALICE Threshold.

To use the Tool:

  • Choose a location (state and one or multiple counties)
  • Select total annual or monthly household income, then input the amount and tap Submit
  • Choose a household composition: up to 6 adults (including those age 18–64 and those over age 65); and up to 6 children under 18 years old (infants, preschoolers, and school-age)

Please note that this grant is for residents of Washington County, MD, who are federal employees only. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, including employment status.

  • Proof of income, address, and federal employee status must be included with the application submission.
  • Requests submitted after business hours or on weekends/holidays will be received and reviewed on the next business day.  
  • Please allow 48 hours for United Way of Washington County to process your application.
  • Applicants will be notified by email and/or phone of grant approval. 
  • Deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 25, 2025, or until funds are depleted.  

An extension of the program may be considered if the government shutdown continues through December, provided the Urgent Needs - Community Response Grant has not been exhausted. Please check this website after December 1st for updates, to see if additional funding is available, and to reapply for further support, if available.

To apply for the Urgent Needs - Community Response grant, please complete the web form below, attach the required documentation, sign, and click "submit"

Grant Header Image

Sources of income (select all that apply):
What assistance are you seeking today?
By checking this box, you are agreeing to our terms of service. 
You understand and certify that:
  • You have answered all questions truthfully.
  • You have submitted all documents requested and that they are accurate. 
  • You understand that United Way of Washington County, Maryland (“Agency”) utilizes a data management tool to collect information. This allows for information to be entered once, reducing the number of times a client must continue to provide personal information. Collected information includes, but is not limited to first name, last name, date of birth, race, ethnicity, income, benefits, disabilities, and other identifying information. This information will be used to help access and obtain the most appropriate services. The Agency has an interagency sharing agreement with the collaborating agency or agencies regarding clients that are served by such agencies. All participating agencies have an agreement regarding security protocol on protection and sharing of client data. United Way of Washington County may also use your non-identified information for reporting requirements
  • No information will be released without signed client consent or by a court-ordered warrant.The client has the right to have their information removed, and may refuse to answer any question,    unless entry into a program requires it.
  • Information that is transferred over the web is done through a secure and encrypted connection.
  • United Way of Washington County may use the internet or email to inform clients of available services.
  • United Way of Washington County and its community partners protect client information and only use information for case management services and service planning.     
  • Unted Way of Washington County will uphold Federal and State confidentiality regulations to records and privacy.
  • United Way of Washington County will not solicit or input information from clients unless essential to meet minimum data requirements, provide services, or conduct evaluations or research.
  • United Way of Washington County may not use any client personal information for marketing purposes.
  • You have the right to request information about who has viewed or updated your file.
  • You have a right to receive a copy of this Consent Form.
By consenting to this agreement, you authorize the United Way of Washington County, Maryland:
  • To share your intake information with collaborating agencies to be used for referrals and coordination of services.
  • To provide basic demographic information, residential, employment/income, military, and service needs.
  • To allow your information to be shared electronically via a secure, encrypted, web-based system to the collaborating agencies.
  • To allow your records and information to be shared for a period of no greater than three years (3) from today’s date.
**Please submit all required documentation so that we may process your application**
  1. Proof of federal employment status, such as SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), W-2 forms, or performance appraisal. 
  2. Proof of address may be a utility bill, bank statement, rental/lease agreement, letter from the IRS or other government agency, etc.
  3. Income verification may be pay stubs, W-2 forms, most recent tax return, Social Security benefits, etc. 
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