The Chesterville Select Board approved the 2025-26 General Assistance ordinance after a public hearing Oct. 16.
general assistance
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland City Council approves $286M general fund budget, despite General Assistance uncertainty
The budget will raise the overall tax rate by 7.4%, the city says, and pull about $9 million from the rainy day fund to account for federal and state funding cuts.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s busiest shelter is losing millions in state funding
After months of clashing over General Assistance reimbursements to local emergency shelters, DHHS adopts a new rule that will slash Portland’s rate nearly in half.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine lawmakers propose competing reforms to General Assistance
Republicans are seeking restrictions such as a 3-month limit on housing assistance, while Democrats have called for expanding the program to cover meals at emergency shelters.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, Politics
With time running out, Maine lawmakers play chicken over supplemental budget
The state has notified medical providers that serve low-income patients to expect lower MaineCare reimbursements if lawmakers can’t reach an agreement by March 12.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
More Mainers are leaning on state help to pay for burials, cremations
Funeral directors say they are seeing more situations where General Assistance is needed to pay for a burial or cremation, but the amount paid by the program doesn’t completely cover expenses.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine cities, nonprofits ask lawmakers to reject proposed limit on housing assistance
Lawmakers are told that a proposal to limit General Assistance housing support would put hundreds of families at risk of eviction.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills proposes 3-month limit on emergency housing assistance
The proposal in the governor’s update to the current budget is intended to rein in ballooning costs in the state’s General Assistance program.
Posted inTimes Record
Freeport’s new General Assistance administrator will also serve as ‘community paramedic’
A new community response specialist, a position the town hopes to fill soon, will take on the responsibilities of General Assistance and replace the nonprofit Freeport Community Service’s implementation of the program.
Posted inTimes Record
Freeport relaunches General Assistance program after previous provider backed out
The Town of Freeport official took over the General Assistance program on Tuesday, months after Freeport Community Services backed out of hosting the state-mandated program.