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INFORMATION FOR MAINE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

TANF  (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)

TANF provides a monthly check to low-income families with children.  Any "relative caretaker" of a child can apply. TANF provides a one time 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.  The monthy check is much lower. In 2005, it was $138.00 per month for one child. It is pro-rated for additional children you have living with you.

Will they make me do workfare?
DHS requires adults who get TANF to participate in ASPIRE.  This can involve a work activity or job training.  If you are sanctioned for not doing ASPIRE, the children continue getting their TANF benefit. If you have a "good cause" exception you will not be asked to do ASPIRE.

Can I claim the child as a dependent on my income taxes if I get "child only" TANF assistance?
You can, but the TANF amount will be reduced  (this will not affect Medicaid eligibility).

FOOD STAMPS
This is assistance to buy food. If you qualify, DHS will lmail 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, everyone in the household must be counted in the food stamp group.  You can not apply just for the child, and your income and assets must be counted.  Even if you can not get TANF for the adults in your household, you may be able to qualify for food stamps. The income and assets tests are less strict than in the TANF program.

Will they make me do workfare?
There are work requirements, which are different from TANF/ ASPIRE.  These requirements allow people not to work in some situations, which may include yours.  For example, you don't have to meet work requirements if:

• You are sixty or older
• Your work opportunities are not available or not cost-effective
• You live in one of the many areas of the state which are exempt from the requirements.  

If you are required to work, and you do not work, the rest of your household can still get food stamps at a reduced rate.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Emergency Assistance (EA) is a TANF-related program run by the Maine Department of 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 your 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

How do I apply for TANF, Food Stamps or Emergency Assistance?
Call your nearest Department of 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, a birth certificate)

• Proof of income (unless for a "child only" TANF or MaineCare application)

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program designed to make sure that any one 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 the child is entitled to?
The answer is a little complicated.  Generally, the only people whose income can be counted when calculating a child's income are the child's parents.  But if the parents are not living with the child, their income is not counted.  However, the child's benefit will be reduced by a fixed amount because you are providing food, clothing and shelter. Other then that, your income will have no effect on the child's eligibility. Finally, if you adopt the child, you become the legal parent and your income will be counted in determining the child's eligibility.

How do I apply for the child?
You can apply at any Social Security Administration office. Use their website - www.socialsecurity.gov - to find out more about social securtiy programs.

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 and other personal items.

Each town has local rules setting the income guidelines.  Compared to other benefit programs, this is the hardest one to qualify for.  Your income for the month of application must be very low.  Most Maine towns and cities have adopted "workfare" rules.  Others have work search requirements.

Additional information on general assistance can be located on the Pine Tree Legal website, www.ptla.org.

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.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
This is a program for low-income families and foster children.  WIC provides some basic healthy foods for pregnant 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 call 1-800-437-9300.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Low-income households can get help once a year, during the winter, with their fuel bills (HEAP).  The program also provides crisis assistance (ECIP) for heating-related emergencies, weatherization, and the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).

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 set asset test.

Contact your county Community Action Program in the fall.

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
Affordable rental housing is supported by subsidies from several agencies, like HUD (Federal Housing and Urban Development), USDA / RECD (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're on, the better chance you have of getting in sooner.  If you don't know your options, contact MSHA in Augusta at  1-800-452-4668 or 626-4600. They keep track of all of the programs in the state, and can tell you about the programs in your area. 

Maine Kids-Kin Emergency Fund
Maine Kids-Kin has almost new clothing, toys, and household and baby items for free. Call Maine kids-Kin at 1-866-298-0896 to see if what you need is in stock.

Maine Kids-Kin usually has a small Cash Fund that is accessible to families who meet the Fund rules. The rules include the following:

• The family must have an immediate need for something essential to the stability of their family.
• The Fund is only available to kinship families who have the relative's children in their care or for whom there is a court plan to move 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.
• The Fund will not be available to a family on an on-going basis, therefore the money must be a one-time need or there must be other plans to meet the need on an on-going or repetitive basis.
• The money is given with an expectation that the relative will participate in a fund raising event or donate to the Fund when the relative's financial situation improves.

Maine Kids-Kin reserves the right to change the rules at any time. Families may contact Maine Kids-Kin to inquire whether money is available to them.

Maine Kids-Kin accepts donations to the fund or donations to our supply of new and almost new items. Checks should be made out to Families And Children Together.

Adpotive And Foster Families Of Maine (AFFM) Discounts

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.  For more information contact AFFM at 827-2331 or 1-800-833-9786 or www.affm.net.