Baltimore City Combines MVA with Social Services Center

New office aims to reduce barriers and make it easier for residents to access benefits and support services.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Baltimore City has opened a Department of Social Services office at an MVA branch on Reisterstown Road. The new office allows residents to apply for and renew benefits like SNAP, as well as connect with other support services, all in one convenient location. This comes as new work requirements for SNAP could put some recipients at risk of losing their benefits starting in March.

Why it matters

The co-location of social services and the MVA is intended to reduce barriers like transportation and time for residents who need to access these critical benefits and programs. This is especially important for underserved communities in Northwest Baltimore. The new office also aims to help connect SNAP recipients to work opportunities before they potentially lose their benefits under the new requirements.

The details

The new office provides assistance with temporary cash assistance, medical assistance, SNAP, and more. New work requirements for SNAP, passed under H.R. 1, require certain groups to work or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours a week to maintain their benefits. This includes those experiencing housing instability, youth who aged out of foster care under 24, and veterans.

  • The new office opened in February 2026.
  • March 2026 will be the first month that groups newly subject to the SNAP work requirements could lose their benefits if they fail to meet the 20-hour per week threshold.

The players

Baltimore City Department of Social Services

The local government agency responsible for administering social services programs in Baltimore City.

Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)

The state agency that oversees vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and other transportation-related services in Maryland.

Chrissy Nizer

Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.

La Sherra Ayala

Deputy director for family investment at the Baltimore City Department of Social Services.

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What they’re saying

“For many customers, transportation and time can be real barriers. By co-locating services, we reduce those barriers and make it easy.”

— Chrissy Nizer, Administrator, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (wbal.com)

“With that expansion, there are groups that were previously exempt from these requirements that are now required and subject. Those include those who are experiencing housing instability, as well as our youth who were formerly in foster care who aged out and are under the age of 24 — and then also veterans.”

— La Sherra Ayala, Deputy Director for Family Investment, Baltimore City Department of Social Services (wbal.com)

What’s next

March 2026 will be the first month that groups newly subject to the SNAP work requirements could lose their benefits if they fail to meet the 20-hour per week threshold.

The takeaway

By combining social services and the MVA in one convenient location, Baltimore City is working to reduce barriers and make it easier for residents to access critical benefits and support programs, especially as new SNAP work requirements take effect and risk leaving some recipients without assistance.