General Assistance

Overview

The municipality of Freeport administers a general assistance (“GA”) program available to all persons who are eligible pursuant to the standards provided in this ordinance, state law (22 M.R.S. §§ 4301-4326), and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations.

Basic needs include:

• Rent/mortgage
• Heating Fuel
• Food
• Personal care/necessary household supplies
• Non-elective medical services
• Telephone when medically necessary
• Necessary work-related expenses

General Assistance is a program of last resort and is not intended to be a continuous grant in aid program. It is designed to encourage self reliance and accountability. All assistance is granted in voucher form; no cash assistance is given.

Applicants must provide verification of income and expenses and, if unable to work, medical documentation substantiating work limitations. Applicants are required to seek work if physically able, and repeat applicants are required to utilize all available resources, i.e. TANF, food stamps, Medicaid, fuel assistance, subsidized daycare, etc. With overall maximum levels of assistance being quite low, it is critical to network with local and area resources to access all available assistance. The State reimburses municipalities 70% of the expenditures for this program.

View a list of required documentation at the time of application (PDF).