Washington County Comm Action in Hagerstown, MD

Pros

• The staff here is excellent.
• They are caring, attentive, and respectful to everyone.
• Renee with the rapid rehousing is fantastic and a huge help.
• Tammy is God sent.
• Megan was kind, patient, and caring.
• This facility is an excellent resource for the Hagerstown area.
• The people are very polite, eager to help, and supportive.
• They provide fast, friendly service.
• The staff are awesome and provide excellent service with courtesy and compassion.
• The CAC staff are very helpful and non-judgmental.
• The people who work in this Action Community are really good and compassionate.
• They are wonderful and helpful, with not a long wait time.

Cons

• They claim the Washington County Department of Social Services inconvenienced a client by cutting off the client’s EBT for months over paperwork they already had.
• They describe the staff as lacking empathy and failing to fix the staff’s errors and misguidance.
• They state these organizations will waste people’s time out of spite and entitlement, even harming credit histories.
• They report the free bus service as horrible, with rude, disrespectful, and discriminatory behavior toward their autistic fiancé.
• They accuse Theresa of incompetence and say she and her staff can’t keep track of ERAP paperwork, causing evictions.
• They note the wait times are very long and the staff seem not to care.
• They say a front-desk staff member acts superior and has an attitude like they don’t want to be there.
• They mention denial of the food pantry for lack of a state ID, despite valid alternative IDs.
• They describe CAC’s phone customer service as terrible.

Review

Washington County Community Action in Hagerstown is best suited for families and individuals in immediate need who are maneuvering housing instability, energy or rent relief, and food insecurity. This agency functions as a pragmatic, on-the-ground gateway to multiple programs, not as a care facility or a long-term living solution. Those seeking a predictable, one-stop private-pay senior living option or a single-focus medical transport service should look elsewhere. The community action setting excels when chaos is the daily reality: paperwork, eligibility, and referrals must be navigated quickly to prevent crises from escalating. It is a practical first stop for households trying to stabilize their basics while charting a longer course.

The strongest daily asset here is the staff, whose compassion and persistence consistently surface in the best reviews. Clients repeatedly describe workers as attentive, respectful, and genuinely helpful, with individuals like Tammy and Renee singled out for going “above and beyond.” The human touch matters, delivering reassurance at moments of fear or frustration and turning complex eligibility questions into understandable steps. Beyond empathy, the agency’s practical service mix keeps people moving: food pantry access, utility relief, rent and housing referrals, and rapid rehousing support are all within reach in one visit or a few coordinated contacts. The atmosphere is generally described as welcoming and nonjudgmental, which matters a great deal when stress is high.

Yet the experience is not without friction. A sizable portion of reviews flag inconsistent service and communication gaps that can derail progress. Long wait times, the need to tell the same story multiple times, and difficulty reaching a single helper can undermine confidence, especially when urgent needs loom. Complaints about ERAP processing and paperwork mishaps highlight a real vulnerability: when funds are delayed or misfiled, families risk eviction or utility shutoffs. Several voices specifically call out front-desk interactions or phone support as less reliable, and a few note that some promised services, such as transportation to medical appointments, frequently appear overpromised rather than consistently delivered. Parking can also be tight, adding a practical friction point to an already stressful errand.

Despite these gaps, the pros largely offset the cons by delivering concrete, life-stabilizing outcomes. The agency’s breadth of offerings means a family can address multiple needs in parallel, food, housing stability, and utility relief, reducing the desperation that comes with juggling several separate agencies. The presence of a straightforward intake process, ability to sign up for the food pantry, and access to rapid rehousing resources create a reliable safety net when a family’s situation looks bleak. Even when individual programs falter, staff members often reframe obstacles as navigable steps and provide referrals or alternatives, which converts a crisis into a plan.

For families weighing alternatives, consider a few guiding criteria. If a streamlined, highly predictable process with minimal back-and-forth is essential, seek partners known for quicker turnarounds or stronger case management in a single area, such as private housing counselors or shelter systems with dedicated eviction prevention teams. If the priority is long-term medical or assisted-living support, this agency is not a substitute for those specialized settings; it functions best as a connector to services rather than a replacement for ongoing, intensive care. Users who tolerate occasional friction in exchange for broad access to food, rent relief, and utility support will find this resource indispensable.

Operationally, success hinges on proactive preparation and clear communication. Bring government-issued IDs, proof of residency, Social Security numbers, and current utility bills when applying for any program. Expect to wait, but know that the number system helps organize the line; inquire about the correct point of contact and request supervisor intervention if a case stalls. Ask for written timelines and a direct contact for urgent questions about ERAP or housing referrals. Parking is usually workable with planning, and the staff’s practical orientation remains a strength even when some interactions fall short. In sum, Washington County Community Action stands as a vital, no-nonsense lifeline for those facing immediate basic-needs crises, while recognizing it is a component of a broader, longer-term strategy rather than a final destination.

This part of Hagerstown, Maryland offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors. With a selection of restaurants nearby such as Schmankerl Stube and Broad Axe, there are plenty of dining options to enjoy. Close proximity to pharmacies like Magnolia Square Pharmacy and Epic Pharmacies ensures easy access to medical supplies and prescriptions. Additionally, there are several reputable physicians' offices in the area, including Massoud B Alizadeh and Partners In Pediatrics. For any emergency medical needs, Washington County Hospital is conveniently located within half a mile. The presence of parks like Hagerstown City Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while cafes such as Rik's Cafe offer a cozy atmosphere for socializing with friends. Lastly, places of worship like St Joseph Catholic Church are accessible for spiritual fulfillment. This neighborhood is a well-rounded community with diverse offerings for seniors looking to settle down in Hagerstown.

Restaurants

• Schmankerl Stube (0.2 miles)
• Broad Axe (0.3 miles)
• Los Amigos (0.3 miles)
• Stadium Tavern (0.8 miles)
• Krumpe's Do-Nut Shop (1.1 miles)
• Foster's on the Point (1.5 miles)
• TGI Friday's (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Magnolia Square Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Epic Pharmacies (0.5 miles)
• Express Pharmacy - Professional Pharmacy Services (0.6 miles)
• Harold Collier (0.6 miles)
• Alternative Drug Alcohol (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)

Physicians

• Massoud B Alizadeh (0.5 miles)
• Retina Center of Western Maryland (0.5 miles)
• Partners In Pediatrics (0.6 miles)
• Sanicola Podiatry (0.6 miles)
• Primary Care Associates of Hagerstown (0.6 miles)
• The Children's Doctor (0.6 miles)
• Pediatric TLC (0.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Washington County Hospital (0.5 miles)
• Davita Hagerstown Dialysis (1.6 miles)
• Western Maryland Hospital Center (1.7 miles)
• Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (1.7 miles)
• Western MD State Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Meritus Health (2.5 miles)

Parks

• Hagerstown City Park (0.6 miles)
• Hagerstown Fairgrounds (0.9 miles)
• Woodland Way Park (1.1 miles)
• Doubs Woods Park (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Rik's Cafe (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Free Range Cafe (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2.1 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church (2.2 miles)