COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program
All 15,000 COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program cards have been or are in the process of being issued to Baltimore City residents.
Applications are no longer being accepted.
If you are in need of assistance:
Utilities and rent: contact Baltimore City Community Action Partnership (CAP) at bmorechildren.com/residents or call 410-396-5555
Food and meals: visit bmorechildren.com/freemeals
Background
A core component of Baltimore City’s COVID-19 Emergency Food Strategy, the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program was designed to assist eligible households that were struggling financially as a result of the pandemic, but not accessing mainstream supports.
The program provided $400 prepaid cards to up to 15,000 households to help cover the cost of food and basic household needs: cleaning supplies, toiletries, baby care products, over-the-counter medications, personal protective equipment, etc. Cards are accepted at most supermarkets and grocery stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) card?
The demand for these cards was very high and as of May 28, 2021, all 15,000 COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program cards had been or were in the process of being issued to Baltimore City residents. There are no longer cards available.
I have heard there is a waiting list and that it is closed for now. Will it open back up?
As of May 28, 2021, all 15,000 COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program cards had been or were in the process of being issued to Baltimore City residents. The waiting list will not open back up.
When did the CEAP program end?
As of May 28, 2021, all 15,000 COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program cards had been or were in the process of being issued to Baltimore City residents. The program closed in June.
By when do I have to activate my card?
Activate your card as soon as you receive it by following the instructions on the card mailer.
By when do I have to spend the money on my card?
Your card has an expiration date on it, which was six months from the date it was issued to you. You must spend down the money within that six-month period. If you do not, the card will expire at the six-month mark and the money will no longer be available to you.
Will the CEAP program be extended?
The CEAP was a one-time program created by Baltimore City to support as many as possible of those city residents who had been most financially impacted by COVID-19 and who were unable to access other, more mainstream forms of assistance.
Will my COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) card be reloaded?
No, the card was part of a one-time program, so once all funds are spent, the card can no longer be used.
Is the CEAP card connected in any way to the P-EBT card program?
No, the two programs are separate. The CEAP card was part of a one-time program created by Baltimore City to support as many as possible of those city residents who had been most financially impacted by COVID-19 and who were unable to access other, more mainstream forms of assistance. The P-EBT card is a food card (like SNAP) for Baltimore City Public Schools students to provide money to buy food while schools are closed and school meals are unavailable.
Can I get a CEAP card and a P-EBT card?
Only youth ages 16 and older could receive a CEAP card—and only if nobody else in their family had received one. The two cards are not connected, so yes, you may be eligible for both.
Want more information?
Read the full February 8, 2021 press release.
Watch the WMAR story.
