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.
general assistance
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.
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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 inUncategorized
New Vineyard works to fill vacant town office positions
At the New Vineyard Select Board meeting, selectmen shared updates on the positions that were left vacant after resignations were placed in September.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine safety net spending has tripled since start of pandemic
With costs ballooning, state lawmakers are looking at ways to restructure the state’s General Assistance program to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Crisis in Sanford further exposes Maine’s underpreparedness
Successive calls for coordination of asylum seekers at the state level have led to nothing. What took place in Sanford this week will continue happening if this inaction continues.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers considering proposals to create statewide database for General Assistance
Tracking information could be an essential part of larger reforms for the program, some lawmakers and state officials say.