Links to Assistance Resources and Government Programs

This guide provides a collection of links to programs for public assistance - various types of programs available to low-income people who are in need of help.

State and Federal Bureaus:

Maine DHHS Public Health / Center for Disease Control and Prevention (formerly the Bureau of Health)
Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
      Office of Integrated Access and Support (formerly Bureau of Family Independence) Regional Offices in Maine
      TANF, Office of Integrated Access and Support (OIAS)     
Food Stamp Certification Manual; Food Stamp Program
Office of Family Assistance, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, TANF
Links to all agencies of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
   Office of Public Health and Science (U.S.)
Green Book, GPO Access to the Green Book 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2004
Poverty Guidelines - 2008 U.S. HHS
Federal Poverty Levels chart for calculating the proration of a Lump Sum Payment: contact Cynthia Boyd, GA Program Manager, DHHS, Augusta, 207 287-3097
Vocational Rehabilitation (Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services)
CareerCenter, The Maine Employment Resource

Military Assistance:

Maine Army National Guard: Family Assistance Center

Health/Dental Issues:

Guide to Health Care (Consumers for Affordable Health Care)
Resource Directory for individuals and families that do not qualify for the health care or prescription drug programs listed under most categories of the above Guide (Consumers for Affordable Health Care)
Community Action Programs (CAP) and Agencies--Health/Nutrition/Hunger Prevention (current as of 1997); List of Maine CAP Agencies
Dental Clinics and Services for Low-Income Persons in Maine, directory compiled and published by The Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, an Office of the Department of Health & Human Services, Oral Health Program (August 2007)

Maine Oral Health Program, listing of non-profit Dental Centers (Bureau of Health, Division of Community and Family Health)

Maine School Oral Health Program
Maine School Oral Health Programs by County (Bureau of Health, Division of Community and Family Health)

Maine Donated Dental Services (Maine Dental Association, and Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped), 725-9193
Maine Communities with Fluoridated Water Supplies [scroll down and click on said link]
BenefitsCheckUpRx, a Web-based tool that helps you find quickly and easily what prescription savings programs you qualify for; Access to Benefits Coalition
Maine Health & Human Services, Office of Elder Services, Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled Program [click on Drug Assistance Guide]
Free drug (pharmaceuticals) program, "Free Medicine Foundation"
"Needy Meds," pharmaceutical manufacturers program to assist people who can't afford to buy the drugs they need
Financial Assistance for Cancer Care, National Cancer Institute
Maine Equal Justice Partners/Maine Equal Justice Project (for information on health care, dental care, child care)
Medical Eye Care Program, Augusta: 207/287-6875
Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Portland: 800/315-1192

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Child Care:

Community Action Programs (CAP) and Agencies--Children/Families (current as of 1997)
Catholic Charities Maine Family Child Care Program; Subsidized child care on sliding fee. Addresses/phone numbers for locations in Central Maine, Southern Maine, Somerset County

Women's Health:

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program;  Maine WIC web site
The Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program
Free Health Screenings
Domestic Violence Hotline 800/799-7233
Counseling Hotlines/Shelters

Programs for the Mentally Ill:

Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Maine (AMI-ME): AMI - Maine,  PO Box 222,  Augusta, ME 04332-0222,  800/464-5767 (ME only),  207/622-5767,  207/622-5767 fax
Family Resource Guidebook (AMI-ME above)

Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral and Developmental Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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Housing Programs:

Community Action Programs (CAP) and Agencies--Housing/Homelessness/Energy/Utilities (current as of 1997)
Maine State Housing Authority
Housing Assistance Council Publications
Subsidized Housing
Emergency Shelters [click on Emergency Shelter Providers]
Homeless Shelters
[Click on "Homeless shelter directory"][not included in lists: St. Martin de Porres Residence, Lewiston, 786-4690; Chisholm Family Shelter, Rumford, 364-3721; St. Andre's Home, Biddeford, 282-3351]

Bridging Rental Assistance Program (BRAP) and Shelter Plus Care (SPC) Program, Maine Department of Behavioral & Developmental Services (BDS)

BDS Local Administrative Agents, BRAP and SPC [scroll down to third table]

Lead Hazard Control Program (Maine State Housing Authority; click on "Lead Paint"), providing grants to low income customers for lead paint hazard control

Adult Family Home Care Program

Consumer Assistance Line
FIX ME Program
Homeless Housing Programs
Homeownership Programs
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low Income Housing Tax Credit
MSHA Assisted Housing
MSHA Tenant Assistance
New Lease Program
Rental Loan Program
Supportive Housing Program
Residential Underground Oil Tank Removal Program
Weatherization/Central Heating Improvement Programs
Energy-Saving Tips for Consumers (MaineEnergyInfo.com of Maine Energy Resources Council)

Heating and Utility Assistance:

Central Maine Power's Electricity Lifeline Program; CMP's Terms and Conditions
Low Income Program (Bangor Hydro)
Special Payment Arrangement (Bangor Hydro)
Utility/Oil Information - includes oil price search capability
Consumer Home Heating Rights or .html   [Chapter 19 of the Maine Attorney General's Consumer Law Guide]

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Property Tax Programs:

Property Tax & Rent Refund
Application for Maine Homestead Exemption

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens

Programs for Older Citizens:

Community Action Programs (CAP) and Agencies--Elderly (current as of 1997)
Food Assistance (Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources)
Guide to Health Care: Health Care for Seniors (Consumers for Affordable Health Care)
Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled Program, Maine DHHS, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services
Maine Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Elder Services
    Information: 800/262-2232, Intake: 800/624-8404       
Maine's Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE)
Elder Law Answers
Links to Maine's Area Agencies on Aging
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging
Seniors-site

Transportation - Maine Transit Links (bus, rail, ferry)

Burials, Cremations:

"Cremations and GA," Maine Townsman, May 2002, Antoinette Mancusi, Technical Advisor, MMA

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Legal Help/Resources:

Pine Tree Legal Assistance

Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, University of Maine School of Law Clients are represented by Student Attorneys; no charge for services, but $10 deposit required for miscellaneous expenses

Small Claims Court, Maine Judicial Branch

Maine's Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE)

The Volunteer Lawyers Project, Maine's Statewide Pro Bono Project