FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Taking care of a child certainly can challenge a family’s finances.  There is some government assistance available.

TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)

TANF provides monthly income to low-income families with children.  Any “relative caretaker” of a child can apply.  TANF provides a onetime plastic card (similar to a debit card), which will allow you to access your TANF benefits at banks, ATM machines and stores. 

What if my income is too high to qualify, but I could still use the help?

If you are related to the child, and you are not the child’s parent, you can apply for a “child only” grant.  Your income and resources are not counted in determining the child’s eligibility.  DHHS may ask if you have income, but you don’t have to claim your wages if you are applying for “child only” TANF.  In 2011, the monthly amount for child-only TANF is $138 for one child.  It is pro-rated for additional children you have living with you.   DHHS only needs to know if you have income and assets but not necessarily what and how much they are.   However, if the child has a source of income, it may be counted when determining the child’s eligibility.  The monthly check is much lower.  DHHS may also ask you to sign a tax waiver form.  If you are claiming the child on your income taxes, the amount of TANF you will receive will be much less than $138.

Will they make me do workfare?

DHHS requires adults who get TANF to participate in ASPIRE.  This can involve work activity or job training.  If you are sanctioned for not participating in ASPIRE, the children continue getting their TANF benefit.  If you have a “good cause” exception you will not be asked to do ASPIRE.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Formerly known as Food Stamps

This is assistance to buy food.  If you qualify, DHHS will mail you a plastic card (like a debit card) to use at the grocery store, and most convenience stores, to buy food.

How do I qualify?

Unlike TANF, where you can apply for a “child only grant,” most members of the household must be included in your SNAP application. Therefore, in most cases, your income will be counted.  However, where minor children are living with a parent or “caretaker relative,” assets (like cars and bank accounts) are not counted. Also, the maximum income limits and allowable deductions in the SNAP program are higher. So, even if you cannot get TANF or MaineCare for the adults in your household, you may be able to qualify for SNAP benefits. 

Am I required to work?

Some adults in the household who are not working may be required to register for work. You may be exempt from this requirement. For example, you do not have to register if:

• You are sixty or older, or
• You are caring for a child under age 6, or
• You are caring for an incapacitated person, or
• You are physically or mentally unable to work

If you are not exempt, you can lose SNAP benefits if you quit a full-time job, or reduce your hours to less than 30 hours per week, without good cause. Even if you are disqualified, others in your household can still receive SNAP benefits.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Emergency Assistance (EA) is a TANF-related program run by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.  It helps children and their families with some emergencies.  You have to have children in the home, but you do not have to be on TANF, to get EA.  Your income must be below the poverty level.  The emergency must not have been caused by someone in the household.

What kinds of emergencies qualify?

• Disasters caused by fires, floods or storms
• Repairing or replacing such essential items as wells, chimneys, septic systems, furnaces or heating stoves
• Emergency housing
• Utilities (electricity, gas, bottled gas, water or sewer), if you have gotten a cutoff notice
• Special medical equipment or clothing

ALTERNATIVE AID

Alternative Aid is a program for low-income working families with children who are not on TANF.  This program helps resolve problems that prevent family members from getting or keeping a job.  Families are eligible if they meet the income, asset and other eligibility requirements for TANF (such as deprivation,) and the parent or caretaker relative has a job or is looking for one.  Alternative Aid is not a cash benefit.  It provides vouchers for services or items that the family needs.  For example, the program may provide a voucher for car repairs, childcare, uniforms or even housing related emergencies.  Families can apply for this benefit once every 12 months. 

How do I apply for TANF, SNAP, Emergency Assistance or Alternative Aid?

Call your nearest Department of Health and Human Services Office to find out how to apply.  When you apply, you may need:

• Social Security numbers
• Proof of your relationship to the child (for example, birth certificate that shows your relationship)
• Proof of income (this is not necessary for a “child only” TANF or MaineCare application)

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program designed to make sure that anyone who is age 65 or over, blind, or disabled, has a minimum level of income.

Can a child qualify for SSI?

Yes.  A child is considered disabled if the child has a medically recognized physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that cause “marked and severe functional limitations”.   Also, the impairments must be expected either to last at least 12 months or to result in death.

I have a disabled child in my household who is related to me, but I am not the parent.  Will my income be used to decide how much SSI this child is entitled to?

The answer is a little complicated.  Generally, the only people whose income can be counted when calculating a child’s SSI benefit are the child’s parents.  But if the parents are not living with the child, their income is not counted.  If you are not the child’s parent, your income is not counted. However, the child’s benefit will be reduced by a fixed amount because you are providing food, clothing and shelter (or “in-kind income”) to the child.  Finally, if you adopt the child, you become the legal parent; then your income will be considered in determining the child’s eligibility.

How do I apply for the child?

You can apply at any Social Security Administration Office.  Visit their website to find out more about social security programs.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSDI)

SSDI is a program for wage earners (people who have worked for wages) and their dependents.  The wage earner must have had enough taxable work history in order to qualify.  The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on wage earner’s average lifetime earnings.

When the wage earner qualifies for SSDI, certain members of the family (who are otherwise eligible) may qualify for benefits based on the wage earner’s work. The benefits are paid to other family members because they also lost a source of income when the wage earner became disabled.  Here are family members who may be eligible:

• A spouse, if he or she is 62 or older;
• A spouse, at any age if he or she is caring for a wage earner’s child who is younger than age 16 or disabled;
• An unmarried child, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. The child must be under age 18 or under age 19 if in elementary or secondary school full time; and
• An unmarried child, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22. (The child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability for adults.)

Children who have moved in with grandfamilies may be eligible for SSDI payments provided they meet one of three sets of conditions.

1. If you have adopted the child, the child is eligible for benefits through your SSDI even if the child was adopted after you began receiving benefits, or
2. If you have not adopted the child, the child may be eligible through your SSDI if your situation meets the following:  The child is your grandchild or step grandchild, and the grandchild began living with you before age 18 and the child received at least one half of his or her support from you for the year before the month you became entitled to disability insurance benefits (if the grandchild was born during the one-year period, the time period is adjusted) and the biological parents of the child are not making regular contributions to his or her support. Children who receive this benefit generally have deceased parents. or
3. If the child has been receiving SSDI payments based on the work record of a parent, the child can continue to receive these payments even after he/she begins to live with you.  Caregivers must contact the nearest SS office and request to become the payee of the child’s SSDI payment. Proof of legal relationship is helpful but not necessary.
   
   You can apply for SSDI payments by calling Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting any local Social Security Administration office.

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, heat, and other personal items.

Each town has local rules setting the income guidelines.  Your income for the month of application must be very low.  If you need heating assistance, some town have programs that provide assistance even if you are “over income” for general assistance.  Check with your town.  Most Maine towns and cities have adopted “workfare” rules, or 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 at 1-800-442-6003 or 287-2826.

TELEPHONE AND CELL PHONE ASSISTANCE

Some Mainers are eligible to receive landline telephone service at reduced rates. This is called the Lifeline Service Program.  If you qualify, you may receive a $10.50 credit on your phone bill.  In addition, if you do not have a phone, you may be able to have one installed for $10.00. 

Residential customers or a member of a customer’s household receiving support from any of the following programs are eligible for Lifeline Service Program:

• Temporary Assistance To Needy Families (TANF)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  
• Maine Care
  
• Food Stamps
  
• Emergency Assistance Program
  
• Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

The Lifeline Service Program has been expanded to now include celluar phones through the SafeLink Wireless program.  This program provides a free cell phone and monthly airtime to income-eligible customers.  You may qualify if you already receive housing assistance, food stamps, MaineCare, or if your total household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.  In addition to meeting the guidelines above you will also be required to provide proof of your income level.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) 

This is a program for low-income families and foster children.  WIC provides some basic healthy foods for pregnant and nursing women and children under five years of age.  They also give nutrition information and referrals to other community resources.  To find the WIC program nearest you, visit their website.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE 

Low-income households can get help once a year, during the winter, with their fuel bills (LIHEAP).   Related programs include: weatherization, appliance replacement, and home rehab.

How can I qualify?

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 no asset test.

Contact your county Community Action Program in the fall or visit their www.mainehousing.org.

            Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties: Bangor       1-800-215-4942 or 973-3630

            Sagadahoc & Lincoln Counties: Bath                1-800-221-2221 or 442-7963

            Waldo County: Belfast                                     1-800-498-3025 or 338-3025

            Franklin County: E. Wilton                               1-800-645-9636 or 645-3764

            Washington & Hancock Counties:  Milbridge   1-800-828-7544 or 664-2424

            Cumberland County: Portland                          1-800-698-4959 or 553-5900    
                 
            Aroostook County:  Presque Isle                     1-800-585-3053 or 768-3053

            Knox County: Rockland                                  1-800-585-1605 or 596-0361      
                                          
            York County:  Sanford                                    1-800-965-5762 or 324-5762

            Oxford & Androscoggin Counties: So. Paris    1-800-866-5588 or 743-7716

            Somerset & Kennebec Counties:  Waterville    1-800-542-8227 or 873-2122

If you need immediate fuel assistance, see the General Assistance section.

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

Affordable rental housing is supported by subsidies from several agencies, like HUD (Federal Housing and Urban Development), USDA/RD (Rural Development; 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%).

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 are on, the better chance you have of getting in sooner.  If you do not know your options, contact MSHA in Augusta at 626-4600 or 1-800-452-4668 or visit their website at www.mainehousing.org.  They keep track of all the programs in the state, and can tell you about the programs in your area. 

Food Assistance Programs (Food Cupboards)

If you need help providing food for your family, consider visiting a food assistance program in your area. 

URGENT ASSISTANCE
FROM FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TOGETHER (F.A.C.T.)

F.A.C.T. has almost new clothing available for free from our Clothing Exchange.  Call F.A.C.T. to see if what you need is in stock.

F.A.C.T. also has a few funds that may assist families in emergencies.  Grandfamilies who access this emergency money must meet the guidelines below, plus others specific to each fund.  Call F.A.C.T. for more details on eligibility.  

• The family must have an immediate need for something essential to the stability of their family or the family has a need for respite.  
• The fund is only available to grandfamilies who have the relative’s children in their care or there is a court order for the children into their care. 
• Maine Kids-Kin must find that the need cannot be met through other supportive resources. 
• The need must be one that can be met by limited cash from the Fund.
• The relative must discuss with Maine Kids-Kin staff other financial resources that may be available to them.
• Funds will not be available to a family on an on-going basis, therefore it must be a one-time need or there must be other plans to meet the need on an on-going or repetitive basis.
• Generally, the funds are for families who are struggling to meet the additional costs of caring for a child and are in crisis.
• Generally, funds are only available once per year.

F.A.C.T. reserves the right to change the rules at any time.  Families may contact the Maine Kids-Kin progam to inquire whether money is available to them.  There are times when there is no money available.

One of the emergency funds available at F.A.C.T. is the Pay It Forward Fund.  Grandfamilies who receive this money agree to Pay It Forward by committing to help others in their community.  We all have something to offer others.  A F.A.C.T. staff member will help you consider your Pay It Forward options.  The possibilities are endless.

F.A.C.T. accepts donations to the funds or donations of new and almost new clothing or other household items.  Checks should be made payable to Families And Children Together.

ADOPTIVE AND FOSTER FAMILIES OF MAINE (AFFM)

AFFM provides discount cards and activities for grandparents, aunts and uncles who are raising their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  They offer discounts to stores and vacation activities.  AFFM also provides holiday gifts for children living with relatives.  Families must contact AFFM in the fall of each year to register for holiday gifts.  AFFM often has beds, furnishings, and other household items available for families.  For more information contact AFFM at 827-2331 or 1-800-833-9786.