Frequently Asked Questions

Each applicant is responsible for providing the general assistance administrator with information necessary to determine eligibility. This includes information verifying members of the household. documentation of all sources of income received by the household (salary, child support, workers compensation benefits, unemployment, SSI, SSDI, social security, as well as any money received from family members, tax returns, etc.). View a full list of required information (PDF).

Additionally, applicants need to provide documentation of their expenses for basic necessities (these include housing, heat, electricity, water, sewer, food, phone when medically necessary, prescriptions, etc.) and work related expenses (child care expenses, transportation to work).

The administrator will make a determination of eligibility based on the overall maximums allowed by the State and the municipality. Clients will receive a decision sheet showing whether or not they are eligible for assistance and what they will need to do to be eligible for future assistance. If there is a household member who is available to work, the administrator will schedule a workfare assignment which may need to be completed prior to the issuance of any assistance.

General assistance is a program that encourages clients to do all they can to prevent needing future assistance. An applicant may be found ineligible to receive general assistance if they: misspend their money on items that are not considered basic necessities (this will count as money that is still available to the household and will affect the amount of eligibility); if a client forfeits a benefit, this benefit will not be replaced; if a client quits a job without just cause, they are disqualified from receiving assistance for a 120 day period; for failing to perform or complete a workfare assignment; for willfully making a false representation about their eligibility; for not providing or permitting the administrator to gather the necessary verification and documentation as required; as well as others.

Neither the Town of Freeport nor Freeport Community Services owns any housing of its own but usually recommends that those interested in affordable housing contact the Freeport Housing Trust (865-1652), Coastal Management (797-3688) as well as checking the local papers for available housing in Freeport.

• Mainehousingsearch.org is another resource for those seeking affordable housing. This is a free, state online resource for renters and property managers in Maine. The dynamic search options allow you to find affordable, accessible and market-rate housing that will fit your needs.
• The Cumberland County Homelessness Prevention Program (CCHP) assists families and individuals who live in Cumberland County in finding, securing and/or maintaining housing.

If you disagree with the decision, applicants should discuss the matter with the administrator.  Applicants can also contact the Department of Health and Human Services to discuss the decision at 800-442-6003.

All applicants have the right to request a Fair Hearing which would provide the applicant with a Board composed of individuals not involved in the decision to decide whether you are eligible for assistance. If you would like a Fair Hearing, you must request a hearing in writing within 5 working days of when you receive your decision.

Each applicant and any member of the household who is capable of working may be required to perform work for the municipality, or work for a non-profit organization, as a condition of receiving assistance. As part of the work program, the General Assistance Administrator can require recipients to participate in training, education, or rehabilitative programs that will assist the recipient in securing employment.