Government Assistance
TANF/ASPIRE
TANF is defined by the Department of Human Services as "financial assistance to keep
children in their homes while the family is temporarily unable to support themselves.
While receiving assistance, parents or caretaker relatives work on an employment plan
to become self-supporting."
DHS general information
Contact numbers for
applications
Understanding TANF
Food Stamps
Generally families are eligible for food stamps if the supporting parent or parents
work for low wages, are unemployed or work part-time, receive welfare or other public
assistance payments, are elderly or disabled and live on a small income, or are homeless.
A large number of "working poor" can qualify for this benefit.
DHS general food
stamp information
Understanding Food
Stamps
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit is an underutilized program available to low-income taxpayers.
It can return up to $4,300 to a low-income taxpayer, in addition to any tax refund. Generally
the adjusted gross income and earned income must be below $34,458.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
I-CAN On-Line Filing for EIC
General Assistance
GA is a public assistance program operated by each municipality. Although eligibility
rules are stringent, it can provide help for families who don't have enough money to pay
their necessary expenses.
PTLA General Assistance Client Education
Brochure
Contact numbers
for state assistance
Emergency Assistance (specifically for children and families)
Emergency Assistance (EA) is a TANF-related program run by the Maine Department of Human
Services. EA helps children and their families with some emergencies. Families do not have
to be receiving TANF to be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
PTLA Emergency Assistance Brochure
Fuel Assistance
Low-income Maine households may be eligible for help in dealing with heating costs through
three different, but related, programs: the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the
Weatherization Program, and the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP). All three programs
are federally funded through the Maine State Housing Authority and operated by the
11 regional Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.
Fuel Assistance
Program (LIHEAP)
Weatherization / Central Heating
Programs
Regional CAP Agencies
Medical Benefits
The principal medical benefit available to low-income families is MaineCare, formerly known
as Medicaid and CubCare. MaineCare is a complex patchwork of health insurance and prescription
drug benefits. Families eligible for TANF or SSI are eligible for MaineCare, as are many
other families with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children with a serious
medical condition may be eligible based on their own income (not family income). There may
be other medical benefits available, such as programs offered by private drug companies.
Very low-income families are eligible for free hospital care.
Kids Health Insurance
Need Help With Prescription Drugs?
Free Hospital Care
Housing
A number of programs provide subsidized housing to low-income families. These include
HUD-sponsored public housing, HUD-sponsored voucher programs, and Rural Development
(formerly FmHA) rental housing. Most programs have long waiting lists. The Maine Human
Rights Commission investigates complaints of housing discrimination.
Fair Housing for People with Disabilities
Fair Housing (generally)
Public Housing
SSI/SSDI
Social Security Disability is paid to a disabled worker, based on the amount of money he
paid into the system while he was working. SSI is a need-based benefit paid to an elderly
or disabled person who does not qualify for regular Social Security benefits, or as a
supplement to a Social Security benefit, when that payment is lower than the SSI rate.
Social
Security Online – Supplemental Security Income
Social Security Online –
Disability
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