Acknowledging and Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Pine Tree Legal Assistance acknowledges and celebrates November as Native American Heritage Month. The work of our Indigenous Peoples Unit is fundamental to our work as a program.
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What happens if I am sued for a debt in Maine District Court?

What happens if I am sued for a debt in district court?   If you are sued for a debt in district court, the creditor is the Plaintiff and you are the Defendant.  
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COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Checks FAQ

Published and up-to-date as of July 2022.    
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COVID-19 Stimulus Checks & Public Benefits Eligibility in Maine

Posted and up-to-date on 4/29/2020 Introduction Many people who will get a stimulus check under the CARES Act may also receive public benefits. You may be worried about whether getting a stimulus check will change your eligibility for public benefits.
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Maine Public Benefits & COVID-19 FAQ

Posted and up-to-date on 12/15/2020 I need MaineCare, TANF, and/or SNAP (food stamps), where do I go to apply? These services are run through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
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Social Security and COVID-19 FAQ

Up-to-date as of 12/15/2020 Is the Social Security Administration Open? Yes, but there have been changes because of COVID-19.

Am I eligible for TANF?

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program for low income families with children. It provides cash benefits each month, and may also help you pay high housing costs. TANF is funded by the federal government, but each state sets up a program with rules specific to that state. This article only applies to TANF in Maine. We have put… More
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Rights of Maine Renters: Heat and Utility Charges for Common Areas

If you live in an apartment building, you may find out that you are paying for heat, lights, or other utilities for "common areas." This includes, for example, hallways, basements, or a common hot water heater or furnace. It is illegal for your landlord to make you pay those costs alone. For example, the hall lights should not be hooked up to your… More
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Rights of Maine Renters: Cable TV, Dishes, and Antennas

If I live in an apartment building, can my landlord stop me from getting cable TV, a satellite dish or an antenna? Generally, no. Your landlord can only refuse to allow these installations if they have "good cause" to deny that particular company. "Good cause" could be:
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How to Handle Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Overpayments

SSI benefits are the benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that come on the 1st of the month. If SSA finds that you have gotten too much money in your SSI benefit, they will send you a Notice of Overpayment.