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Public BenefitsMany programs to help people with economic difficulties are available in Maine. Most of these programs are for people with low incomes, although a few serve people with higher incomes as well. These programs are commonly known as "public benefits." Impact of Receiving Public Benefits on Immigration Status If you do not have your "Green Card" (Permanent Residency) yet. If you do not yet have your green card, you can be turned down for the green card if the government thinks you'll be "likely to need public benefits in the future." The government can look at many things when it decides this:
If you have your green card but you are not a U.S. citizen yet. Immigration cannot turn you down for citizenship because you are receiving public benefits. They may ask you questions to make sure you haven't broken any rules. For example, while getting public benefits you may not work without telling your caseworker. You cannot take a trip to visit family outside the U.S. and receive public benefits. You must tell your caseworker so that the benefits stop. It is a good idea to speak with an immigration advocate before you apply for citizenship if you are receiving public benefits. Eligibility Federal benefits programs. Many noncitizens who immigrated to the U.S. or got their "green cards" (permanent residency) after August 22, 1996 are not eligible for Federal public benefits programs. There are exceptions for refugees, asylees, certain parolees, veterans of U.S. military service, and persons who have 40 "qualifying quarters" of work that they can claim. State benefits programs. Most Maine noncitizens who have a green card or refugee or asylee status are eligible for these benefits. Also, most people who have a work permit from Immigration, and many people without work permits but who have certain applications filed and in process with Immigration are eligible for these benefits. Cash Programs. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF provides a monthly support amount to low-income families with children. Any "relative caretaker" of a child can apply. For State TANF benefits, you must either have a work permit from Immigration or have certain applications filed and in process with Immigration to be eligible. If you are completely undocumented, you probably are not eligible for MaineCare, unless you are in removal proceedings in the Immigration Court and have applied for permanent status in those proceedings. To be eligible, your child must be "deprived." This means that at least one parent is:
To apply, contact your local Department of Human Services office. Emergency Assistance. Emergency Assistance (EA) is a TANF-related program. It helps children and their families with some emergencies. For example, EA provides help with:
To apply, contact your nearest Department of Human Services office. Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This federal program provides a small monthly income to poor people who are:
To apply, contact the Social Security Administration. (See Resources.) General Assistance. All Maine's towns and cities have general assistance programs. The program is designed to provide a "safety net" for Maine residents when a household's income does not cover basic needs, food, shelter, clothing and other personal items. Each town has local rules setting the income guidelines. Compared to other benefit programs, this is the hardest one to qualify for. Your income for the month of application must be very low. Most Maine towns and cities have adopted "workfare" rules. Others have work search requirements. To apply, go to your city hall or town office. They must act on your application within 24 hours. If you have problems ask for help from the State General Assistance Oversight Office. (See Resources.) at: 1-800-442-6003. Refugee Resettlement Programs People who came to the U.S. as refugees or certain parolees (have an "I-94 card" that shows admission to the U.S. as a refugee, or says "paroled" into the U.S.), and asylees are eligible for a special cash benefits for the first few months in refugee, parolee or asylee status, and are eligible for other benefits for a longer period of time. Asylees are only eligible for the special cash benefits in the first 8 months after being given asylum. To learn more about which benefits are available, you must contact your local refugee resettlement agency. In Maine, most refugees are resettled by Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigrant Services. (See Resources.), at 250 Anderson Street , Portland, Maine, 04101, telephone: 207-871-7437. Health Programs Emergency Medicaid. If you are treated for a medical emergency, Emergency Medicaid can pay it for regardless of your immigration status. Even if you are undocumented (have no legal immigration status) Emergency Medicaid will cover the cost of your emergency medical treatment. MaineCare. Maine has consolidated most of its low-income health insurance programs (including Medicaid) under the umbrella of MaineCare. MaineCare provides comprehensive health coverage for children and the lowest-income adults. It also provides more limited coverage, such as help with prescription drugs, to people with modest but above-poverty-level incomes. You must either have a work permit from Immigration or have certain applications filed and in process with Immigration to be eligible for MaineCare. If you are completely undocumented, you probably are not eligible for MaineCare, unless you are in removal proceedings in the Immigration Court and have applied for permanent status in those proceedings. If you get TANF or SSI, you qualify for MaineCare coverage. Children who live in households with income less than 200% of the poverty level can qualify. Children who live with a "caretaker relative" can qualify without counting the relative's income and assets. Adults with income below 100% of the poverty level can now qualify, even if they are not disabled and do not have dependant children. MaineCare covers many other groups of people with medical needs, such as persons with HIV, breast cancer or cervical cancer. The income and asset rules vary, depending on which the category of coverage you fall into. To apply, contact your nearest Department of Human Services (DHS) office. (See Resources.) Free Care. If you have no legal status and can't qualify for MaineCare, but you need medical treatment in a hospital and you are low-income and can't afford to pay the bills, hospitals have money available to cover the cost of your care. To get "free care", you have to show that you are low income, and that you are not eligible for MaineCare. Most hospitals will make you go to the nearest DHS office to apply for MaineCare, so that you can get a letter from MaineCare saying that you are not eligible. Once the hospital has the letter from MaineCare saying that you don't qualify, the hospital can process your medical bills through the free care process. Programs for Children Adoption Assistance Foster Care. The State of Maine offers a number of services for foster children and foster parents available depending on eligibility that range from support groups and training programs to financial assistance (such as clothing allowance and college tuition waivers) and life skills training. (See Resources.) Child Welfare Services. (See Family Law) Child-Care. If you need help finding or paying for child-care while you are working or going to school, call the DHS Office of Head Start and Child Care in Augusta (See Resources)(287-5060) or your county Child Care Resource Development Center. Food Programs Food Stamps. This is a debit card you can use to buy food. The Department of Human Services puts money into your Food Stamp account each month. You can use the card to buy food at any participating grocery store. You must either have a work permit from Immigration or have certain applications filed and in process with Immigration to be eligible for State level Food Stamps. If you are completely undocumented, you probably are not eligible for Food Stamps, unless you are in removal proceedings in the Immigration Court and have applied for permanent status in those proceedings. If you get TANF (see above), you can also get Food Stamps. Also, many households who don't qualify for TANF can get food stamps. The income and assets tests are less strict than in the TANF program and the TANF "deprivation" rules do not apply. Many low-income households with working parents get food stamps. To apply, contact your nearest Department of Human Services office. WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). This program is for low-income families and foster children. WIC provides some basic healthy foods for pregnant women, and children under five years of age. They also give nutrition information and referrals to other community resources. WIC is available to all noncitizens, regardless of immigration status. Even persons who have no legal immigration status are eligible. To find the WIC program nearest you call 1-800-437-9300. Employment-Related Programs Workforce Investment Act Programs These programs aim is to improve employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the U.S. Available services through the Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Employment Services include:
Earned Income Credit. At tax time (January 1 - April 15 each year), low-income workers can get a large check back from the federal government by filing a tax return and applying for an "Earned Income Credit." For tax year 2002, the maximum credit for a household with two or more children was $4,140. Workers can also arrange through their employer to get the tax credit over the course of the year with their paycheck. (See Special Privileges and Obligations.) Unemployment Insurance. (See Education) Social Security. In the United States, workers pay a "social security tax" which is taken out of each paycheck. When you retire after age 60 (or become disabled and unable to work), you can get monthly income from the Social Security system. To apply, contact your nearest Social Security office. Housing and Shelter Rental Housing Programs. Affordable rental housing is supported by subsidies from several agencies, like HUD (Federal Housing and Urban Development), USDA/REC (formerly FMHA) and the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA). These programs all serve households below a certain income level and monthly rent is capped at a percentage of income (typically about 30%). Most housing programs are available only to persons who have permanent residency (the "green card", refugee, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant or parolee status. To apply: If you know the programs that serve your area, apply for as many as you like. There are usually waiting lists, so the more waiting lists you're on, the better chance you have of getting in sooner. If you don't know your options, contact MSHA. (See Resources.) in Augusta at 1-800-452-4668. MSHA keeps track of all of the programs in the state and can tell you about the programs in your area. Energy Assistance. Low-income households can get help once a year, during the winter, with their fuel bills (LIHEAP). The program also provides crisis assistance (ECIP) for heating-related emergencies, weatherization (making a home more suitable for cold weather), and the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP). Different income limits are set each year, depending on the total amount Maine gets from Congress in that year. You can use medical expenses, including insurance premiums and transportation costs, as deductions from income. There is not asset test. To apply: Contact your county Community Action Program in the fall. Resources Legal Services Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project 309 Cumberland Avenue, Suite 201 Portland, Maine 04101 207-780-1593 o 1-800-497-8505 info@ilapmaine.org Pine Tree Legal Assistance Portland Office 88 Federal Street P.O. Box 547 Portland, Maine 04112 (207) 774-8211 http://www.ptla.org/ Legal Services for the Elderly Augusta Office 9 Green Street P.O. Box 2723 Augusta, Maine 04338-2723 1(800) 750-5353 http://www.mainelse.org/ Maine Lawyer Information and Referral Service 1(800)860-1460 http://www.mainebar.org/lawyer_need.asp.asp There is a $20 fee for this service Program Services Social Security Administration 550 Forest Ave. Portland, ME 04101 (207) 771-2851 1 (800) 772-1213 State General Assistance Oversight Office (Ask for Emergency Assistance hotline.) 1-800-442-6003. Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigrant Services 250 Anderson Street Portland, Maine, 04101 (207) 871-7437. Department of Human Services 161 Marginal Way Portland, ME 04101 (207) 822-2000 (General line connecting to all programs.) TTY 1 (800) 822-2293 Department of Human Services (foster care information) 221 State Street Augusta, Maine 04333 Phone: (207) 287-5060 Fax: (207) 287-5031 TTY: (207) 287-5048 Central DHS Office (life skills training) 221 State Street, SHS #11 Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 Phone: (207) 287-6259 WIC Program Office 11 State House Station 286 Water St. Key Plaza, 1st Floor 1-800-437-9300. Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Employment Services http://www.mainecareercenter.com (Maine Employment Resource Guide) Maine State Housing Authority 89 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04330 toll free phone: 1-800-452-4668 TTY: 1-800-452-4603 |
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