Other Issues

• Child Care

What Happens to My Benefits When I Get a Job and Leave TANF? Information on transitional benefits for former TANF recipients (updated July 2011)

• General Assistance

NEW! Supplemental Security(SSI) and General Assisstance(GA) Information for Immigrants (updated December 2011)
(GA) الإعانة العامة (SSI) دخل الضما ن التكميلي (Arabic)
(GA) کمک هزي نه عمومی (SSI) درآمد اضا فی تأمين اجتماعی (Farsi)
LE REVENU SUPPLEMENTAIRE DE SECURITE (SSI), ASSISTANCE GENERALE (GA) (French)
INGOBOKA Y`INYONGERA (SSI), IMFASHANYO RUSANGE (GA) (Kinyarwanda)
DAKHLIGA KABIDDA MUJTAMACA (SSI), MUCAAWINADA GUUD ( GENERAL ASSISTANCE ) GA (Somali)
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) and GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA) (Spanish)
KIPATO CHA ZIADA YA USALAMA (SSI), MSAADA WA JUMLA (GA) (Swahili)

General Assistance Law: Lump Sum Income (March 2009)

Model General Assistance Ordinance (January 2009; .pdf file) This model ordinance is issued by the Maine Municipal Association and is adopted by most Maine towns.

• Heat / Utilities

Help with Winter Utility and Fuel Bills  (updated July 2011)

Help With Your Electric Bill  (September 2008 MAIN Update) Increased funding for the Low Income Assistance Program, reducing electric bills for low-income consumers.

What Are My Rights with My Electric Company?  Information about winter disconnect, filing a complaint, and deregulation (March 2009)

• Housing

NEW! Changes in the Laws for Tenants (2011)
Despite some strong attempts to weaken the laws protecting tenants in Maine, only minor changes took place in the 2011 legislative session. Here are some of the laws that were changed. (August 2011)

Property Tax and Rent Refund  If you pay rent or property taxes and have a low income, you are probably eligible for a refund from the State of Maine. (April 2011)

Facing Foreclosure: Help is Available Where to get help if you are threatened with foreclosure.

Pine Tree Legal's Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit includes text and videos about what to do if you're threatened with foreclosure. (September 2008)

Find more information on rights of tenants and other housing issues at Pine Tree Legal Assistance.