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Office Hours:
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Monday and Thursday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Office Telephone:
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207-666-5531
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Emergency During Non-Business Hours:
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207-666-3985
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Fax:
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207-666-5532
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Mailing address:
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13 School Street, Bowdoinham, ME 04008
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General Assistance Administrator:
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Kathryn Durgin-Leighton
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Deputy General Assistance Administrator:
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Warren Hatch
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Helpfull Phone Numbers
helpful phone numbers.pdf
Overview of Services:
General Assistance Program assists residents of Bowdoinham with basic necessities, such as:
rent/mortgage
fuel
utilities
non-elective medical services
telephone when medically necessary
necessary work-related expenses
clothing
personal supplies and food.
This program continues to be a safety net for the most needy. The State reimburses municipalities 50% of the expenditures for this program.
General Assistance has developed into a program that makes recipients more accountable and encourages self-reliance. A person applying for this assistance is required to utilize all available resources, i.e. TANF, food stamps, Medicaid, fuel assistance, subsidized daycare, etc. With overall maximum levels of assistance being quite low, it is critical to network with local and area resources to access all available assistance.
Additionally, financial assistance is awarded annually for help with medical and other expenses. This money is generated through various trust funds held by each town and provides financial assistance with items such as:
hospital expenses
prescription drugs
physician visits and dental emergencies.
Applications for these funds are available through this office and residents are eligible based on financial need.
Maine State Property Tax and Rent Refund forms are available at the Town Office and the application must be completed and submitted by December 31st.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply for general assistance?
People wishing to apply for assistance should call the administrator to schedule an appointment Each person needs to complete an application in order to determine eligibility.
What do I need to do to qualify for general assistance?
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.). 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.
What can general assistance assist with?
The town will grant assistance to eligible applicants for basic necessities according to the maximum levels for specific types of assistance. Basic necessities include housing, heat, electricity, food, utilities, personal care and household supplies, and other basic necessities when they are deemed essential to an applicant's or recipient's health and safety by the general administrator.
Can the town help me to secure housing?
The town does not own any housing of its own but usually recommends that those interested in affordable housing contact theBath Housing Authority at 443-3116 or Tedford Shelter- Family Services at 729-4583
) as well as checking the local papers.
What is workfare?
Each applicant and any member of the household who is capable of working may be required to perform work for the municipality, including work for a non-profit organization, as a condition of receiving assistance. As part of the municipal work program, the municipality can require recipients to participate in training, education, or rehabilitative programs that will assist the recipient in securing employment.
What do I need to do to be eligible for future assistance?
At the time an applicant receives a decision on their application, the administrator will inform them of their responsibilities for being eligible in the future. Once applying for general assistance all clients, regardless of whether or not they received any benefits, are responsible for showing that they have done all they can to prevent needing general assistance again. This includes providing documentation (receipts) of all their spending over the past thirty days (or longer if they are seeking assistance with back due bills). Again, the amount of income from all sources received by the household must be provided. Additionally, the applicant must show that they have utilized all potential resources the administrator referred them to.
How often can I apply for assistance?
Generally, general assistance is determined for a one month period only. If an applicant needs to apply for general assistance again, they are responsible for making sure they have met the requirements of the program for eligibility.
What would cause me to be ineligible or disqualified from the program?
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
What if I disagree with the decision of the administrator?
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