GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF “WE CONNECT” SERVICE WEBSITE

Partners with California First Lady Maria Shriver and other States;
Website to Help Thousands of Maryland Families during Tough Economic Times

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley announced the launch of “We Connect: Maryland,” www.Maryland.weconnect.net, a website that expands upon the State’s service webpage, www.problemsolver.maryland.gov, to provide Marylanders with more access to state and federal resources during these challenging economic times. Governor O’Malley teamed up with California’s First Lady Maria Shriver to launch the website.

“We have seen our share of challenges with a downturn in the national economy and a national mortgage crisis. Times have not been easy for many Maryland families as they struggle to make ends meet,” said Governor O’Malley. “It is our hope that this website, in addition to our Problemsolver webpage, will reach out to and educate Marylanders about the programs and services available to them.”

“We launched California’s WE Connect program in 2005 when we found that so many families struggling financially were not aware of the money-saving programs and support services that were already available to them,” said California’s First Lady Maria Shriver. “Today, the need for these vital resources is greater than ever, and we are pleased that Governor O'Malley has partnered with us to expand WE Connect nationally and ensure that millions more families in need have an opportunity to get ahead.”

The WE Connect campaign is a public/private partnership designed to help the nation’s working families become more financially secure by connecting them to important programs and resources. Many of these programs, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Women, Infant and Children’s Program (WIC), are available to individuals and families, but are not fully taken advantage of. This nationwide campaign connects those eligible with the information and tools they need to access these valuable resources, empowering them to live their dreams.

Marylanders can go to www.Maryland.weconnect.net to find information on a range of services which connects visitors to services within their county which offer free tax assistance and other valuable events. The website also provides a link to an assistance eligibility calculator, which helps Marylanders determine what services they may qualify for, such as food stamps, the Temporary Cash Assistance program, Medical Assistance, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and the Electric Universal Service Program, among others.

Marylanders can also go to www.problemsolver.maryland.gov to find information on a range of State services from heating and energy assistance, to employment assistance – including job training and unemployment services – to services for seniors and those living with disabilities.