AUGUSTA — Independent Eliot Cutler will announce a nine-point plan today for reforming the state’s welfare system.

Cutler, a former adviser to U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie and former associate director of the Office of Management and Budget, will release a report called “Welfare: How Maine Should Work,” according to his campaign.

“We’re addressing it because clearly it’s an issue people care about,” said spokeswoman Monica Castellanos. “What Eliot is going to do is provide specifics and multiple ways of dealing with it.”

The plan will emphasize work, tiered benefits and greater accountability from the Department of Health and Human Services, she said.

Last week, the conservative think-tank Maine Heritage Policy Center released a report describing Maine as the most welfare-dependent state in the country. And Republican Paul LePage, one of four others running for governor, has talked about his proposal to change welfare by putting a time limit on how long someone can receive benefits.

Cutler, ranked third in recent polls behind leader LePage and Democrat Libby Mitchell, will unveil his plan at 2 p.m. in the State House Welcome Center. Others on the Nov. 2 ballot are Shawn Moody of Gorham and Kevin Scott of Andover.

MaineToday Media State House Writer Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at: scover@centralmaine.com