HOPE SMC Rent & Utility Grants

HOPE SMC grants are for residents of St. Mary’s County, MD

Is your family living paycheck to paycheck?

Have you had an unexpected expense, leaving your household short on rent or utility bills?

We invite you to fill out a HOPE SMC grant application to see if we can help.

The HOPE SMC Grant is a one-time financial assistance program designed to support households who are living paycheck to paycheck and facing a true financial crisis.

The HOPE SMC Grants are being awarded to 2 to 4 households each month. These grants are intended for families who have experienced an unexpected expense within the last 60 days — leaving them unable to meet their regular bills.

HOPE SMC Grant Requirements:

1. Income Stability

  • Your household income covers rent and utilities monthly under normal circumstances.

2. Unexpected Expense

  • The financial hardship happened within the last 60 days.
  • Must be a sudden, unexpected expense

3. Documentation Required

  • Upload proof of the unexpected expense to your application.
  • DO NOT submit past due bills, late notices, or unrelated documents as your unexpected expense verification.

⚠️ Applications will not be reviewed if submitted with random or irrelevant documentation.

📋 Application Instructions

  1. Visit hopesmc.org/grant
  2. Complete the online application
  3. Upload all verification documents before submitting
  4. Double-check everything — incomplete applications will be NOT submitted for review

Grant Application
Local Community Assistance