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:

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 (Revised May 2009) PDF Format Maine Oral Health Program

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

Women's Health:

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program;  Maine WIC web site

The Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program

Free Health Screenings

National 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,Homeless Shelters
 [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 Health and Human Services, Adult Mental Health Services

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

Lead Hazard Control Program (Maine Housing; formerly Maine State Housing Authority), 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 (Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security); Energy-Saving Guide

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 Rightsor  .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 Adobe Reader needed

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)

Health Care Guide: Elderly and Disabled Adults (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


 
 

State & Federal
Programs & Bureaus

Health Programs:

Housing Programs:

Programs for Older Citizens

Adult Family Home Care Program

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens
Transportation
Burials, Cremations
Military Assistance

Legal Help/Resources