Icon for content type Article

Will Getting A Big Tax Refund Make Me Lose My Benefits?

This year, you won’t have to worry about losing your benefits if you get a big tax refund. Starting in 2011, any tax refunds you get will not affect most public benefits, or how much you get! Under the law passed in December 2010:
Icon for content type Article

Fair Housing

Welcome to PTLA's Fair Housing Unit! The Fair Housing Unit works to make sure state and federal laws protecting everyone’s right to housing free from illegal discrimination are enforced in the state of Maine.
Icon for content type Article

Heating Assistance News

LIHEAP funding continues to be lower than in previous years. This will mean that more households will be turning to local heating assistance programs after their LIHEAP money runs out.  Here is a summary of the programs we know about - followed by information about how to access local programs.  
Icon for content type Article

Do I Have to Repay Unemployment Benefits if I’m Overpaid?

Some workers have to pay back unemployment benefits. If you are paid benefits, but then lose benefits when your employer appeals, you can be asked to repay the benefits you got earlier. Also, if you are overpaid because of some other mistake or you or the Department of Labor made, you may have to repay those benefits.
Icon for content type Article

Free Hospital Care

Can I Get Free Care at the Hospital? Yes. All hospitals in Maine must give free care to poor people without health insurance. You have to meet these criteria: Your income is below the guidelines, you don’t have other health insurance coverage, you need services that are medically necessary.
Icon for content type Article

Family Medical Leave in Maine

Two medical leave laws apply to Maine workers: 1) Federal Law; 2) State Law. We will explain the basics of each one here.
Icon for content type Article

If You Lose Your Job

This is a very general outline of your rights as a worker in Maine. It covers basic questions you might have after losing your job. We also explain how the unemployment benefit system works. You may be unemployed because you were laid off or fired, or you quit. The facts of your particular situation will affect your rights under the law.
Icon for content type Article

I Can't Pay the Taxes on my House: What Can I Do?

In Maine, if you cannot pay your tax bill for the property you live on, there is something you can do. Your city or town can decide that you don't have to pay some or all of it. This is called a "poverty tax abatement."