Maine Hardship Relief: Financial Assistance for Housing, Utilities, and More

Facing financial hardship in Maine can be overwhelming, but numerous relief programs exist to help you secure your housing, pay utility bills, and meet basic needs. Whether you're a homeowner at risk of foreclosure, a renter struggling with costs, or a family needing help with food and medical expenses, understanding your options is the first step toward stability. This resource provides clear, actionable information on key assistance programs, including the Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), General Assistance, LIHEAP for heating aid, and property tax relief, guiding you to the support you need.

Immediate Help and Centralized Resources: Your First Call

When facing a financial crisis, knowing where to turn first is critical. Maine's support system is a network of state, local, and non-profit partners. Navigating this network is made simpler by using two primary entry points: 211 Maine for comprehensive information and local Community Action Agencies for direct application assistance.

211 Maine: The Central Hub for All Services

What is 211 Maine?

211 Maine is a free, confidential, 24/7 information and referral service that functions as the central clearinghouse for health and human services across the state. It is designed to be a "shortcut" through what can be a confusing maze of different agencies and programs, connecting people to the right resources for their specific situation.

Trained specialists are available to provide referrals for a wide range of needs, including:

• Financial and housing assistance.
• Utility and heating bill support.
• Food banks and nutrition programs.
• Healthcare and mental health services.
• Crisis support, including domestic violence and substance use resources.

How to Contact 211 Maine

Individuals can connect with a specialist by dialing 211, texting their zip code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org. This multi-channel approach ensures access for people in various circumstances.

Community Action Agencies (CAAs): Your Local Partner for Applications

What are Community Action Agencies?

While 211 Maine is the primary information hub, Maine’s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are the on-the-ground partners that administer many key state and federal relief programs. These non-profit organizations are the designated points of contact for applying for critical aid like the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

CAAs can also provide direct assistance with applications for other programs, such as the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The relationship between these entities is strategic: 211 serves as the statewide navigator, while the CAAs provide localized, hands-on support. For many of the programs detailed below, the first practical step is to contact a local CAA.

Housing Stability Assistance for Homeowners and Renters

Maintaining stable housing is a primary concern during financial hardship. Maine offers distinct programs to preserve homeownership and prevent homelessness for renters. Homeowner relief often focuses on substantial, grant-based aid, while renter assistance is typically geared toward immediate, short-term crisis aversion.

A. For Homeowners Facing Hardship

1. Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

What is the HAF Program?

The Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is a federally funded relief program from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Its purpose is to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, and foreclosure. The program provides up to $50,000 in total assistance per household as a grant, not a loan, which does not need to be repaid.

What Costs Does HAF Cover?

HAF funds can be used for a wide range of housing-related costs, including:

• Mortgage Reinstatement: Paying past-due mortgage payments to bring a loan current, including amounts under a forbearance plan. The fund can also cover up to three forward mortgage payments after reinstatement.
• Property Charge Defaults: Catching up on delinquent property taxes, homeowner's insurance premiums, HOA or condominium fees, and mobile home lot rent.
• Utility Arrears: Paying off past-due bills for electricity, gas, home energy (such as oil or wood), water, sewer, and broadband internet service.

Who is Eligible for HAF?

To qualify, a homeowner must meet the following criteria:

• Have experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020, associated with the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., a reduction in income or increase in living expenses).
• Occupy the property as their primary residence, located in Maine. Eligible property types include single-family homes, 2- to 4-unit properties where the owner lives in one unit, condominiums, and mobile homes.
• Have a household income that falls within the program's limits, which vary by location and household size.

How to Apply for HAF

Homeowners can apply online through the official HAF Application Portal. For those needing assistance or a paper application, help is available by calling (888) 622-3055. Free housing counseling is also offered through the Foreclosure Prevention Hotline at 1-888-664-2569.

2. Property Tax Relief Programs

Municipalities and the state offer programs to help homeowners who are struggling to pay property taxes.

Hardship or Poverty Abatement

Under Maine law, local municipal officers can grant a tax abatement (a reduction in taxes owed) for the primary residence of a person who cannot pay due to poverty or infirmity. The homeowner must submit a written application to their local town or city office, providing financial information to demonstrate their inability to pay. All applications and hearings are confidential.

State Property Tax Deferral Program

This state-run loan program allows eligible individuals to postpone property tax payments on their homestead. The state pays the annual taxes to the municipality and places a lien on the property. The deferred taxes, plus interest, are repaid when the property is sold or becomes part of an estate. Applicants must generally be at least 65 years old or permanently disabled and meet specific income and asset limits.

3. Maine Housing Mortgage Assistance (for Maine Housing Borrowers)

For homeowners with mortgages directly through MaineHousing, two specific programs are available:

• Maine HOPE (Home Ownership Protection for un Employment): For borrowers who have lost their job, this program can make up to four mortgage payments. The amount paid becomes an interest-free junior lien on the property.
• Maine Housing HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program): For delinquent borrowers, this program can reduce the principal balance of the loan to achieve a more affordable monthly payment. The reduced amount also becomes an interest-free junior lien.

B. For Renters and Those Facing Homelessness

Assistance for renters is primarily focused on preventing immediate crises like eviction and homelessness.

1. Emergency Assistance (EA) for Families

The Emergency Assistance (EA) program, run by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), provides one-time vendor payments for families with children facing a specific, documented emergency.

What Emergencies Does EA Cover?

The program is not for general hardship but for defined crises, including:

• Disaster (fire, flood, storm).
• Eviction (as long as it is not due to misuse of the property).
• Utility shutoff notices.
• Essential repairs to a furnace, septic system, plumbing, or electrical system.
• Need for special equipment due to a disability.

Benefit Limits and Eligibility

Assistance is limited, with a cap of $600 per family in a 12-month period and maximums for each emergency type (e.g., $250 for housing, $150 for utilities). To be eligible, an applicant must have low or no income, be a Maine resident, and be a parent or relative responsible for a child under 21 living in the home.

How to Apply for EA

Applications can be submitted online through the My Maine Connection portal, by mail or fax, or in person at a local DHHS Office for Family Independence (OFI).

2. General Assistance (GA) for Housing Costs

As a program of last resort, municipal General Assistance can provide vouchers to pay for rent or temporary housing to prevent homelessness. This is covered in more detail in Section IV.

3. Public and Subsidized Housing

For long-term affordable housing solutions, renters can seek public housing through their local housing authority or find privately owned, subsidized rental properties. Maine Housing maintains a comprehensive, county-by-county list of subsidized housing options.

Utility and Home Energy Relief

Given Maine's cold winters, assistance with heating and electricity costs is a critical component of hardship relief. The state’s programs are highly interconnected, and applying for one foundational benefit can often establish eligibility for others.

A. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP)

What is HEAP?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), known as HEAP in Maine, is a federally funded program that helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for their heating costs. HEAP provides a benefit payment, typically made directly to the household's fuel dealer or electric utility, to reduce heating expenses. The benefit amount varies based on household size, income, and energy costs.

What Fuels Does HEAP Cover?

The program covers a wide range of primary heating sources, including:

• Heating oil
• Kerosene
• Propane
• Natural gas
• Electricity
• Wood and wood pellets

Who Qualifies for HEAP?

Eligibility is primarily based on gross household income. However, households that receive other means-tested benefits like SNAP or TANF are automatically considered income-eligible for HEAP, which greatly simplifies the application process. Applicants must also meet residency and citizenship/legal resident requirements.

How to Apply for HEAP

To apply, individuals must contact their local Community Action Agency (CAA) to schedule an appointment. Applications are accepted year-round, but households are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as the process can take several weeks.

Income limits are subject to change. Data sourced from. For households with more than 8 people, contact a local CAA.

B. Electricity Bill Support

Beyond heating fuel, several programs specifically target the high cost of electricity.

• Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP): This program provides a monthly credit directly on the electric bills of qualified low-income customers. Eligibility for LIAP is linked to HEAP eligibility or participation in other DHHS programs.
• Arrearage Management Program (AMP): For customers of Central Maine Power (CMP) or Versant Power with a past-due balance over $500, AMP offers debt forgiveness. For every month a customer pays their current bill on time, the utility forgives a portion of the old debt.
• Utility Discount Rates: Some utilities offer special discounted rates for HEAP recipients. For example, Unitil provides a 30% discount on natural gas service for customers approved for HEAP.

C. Emergency Fuel and System Repair

For households facing an immediate energy crisis, emergency programs are available.

• Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP): As part of the HEAP framework, ECIP provides emergency assistance to households with less than a week's supply of fuel or who have received a utility disconnection notice. The program can also fund minor repairs to a malfunctioning heating system.
• Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP): For HEAP-eligible households with a primary heating system that is unsafe, malfunctioning, or inefficient, CHIP can provide funds for repair or replacement. Applications for both programs are processed through the local CA

Financial, Food, and Healthcare Support

Maine's social safety net includes foundational programs that provide cash assistance, food support, and healthcare coverage. These programs are often the first line of defense, with the municipally-run General Assistance program serving as a final backstop.

A. General Assistance (GA): A Municipal Safety Net

What is General Assistance?

Every city and town in Maine is required to operate a General Assistance program to provide immediate aid to residents who cannot afford basic necessities. GA is designed to be a "program of last resort" for individuals and families who have no other resources to meet their essential needs.

What Does GA Cover?

Assistance is provided through vouchers paid directly to vendors (e.g., a landlord or utility company). No cash is given to applicants. Covered necessities include:

• Housing (rent, mortgage, temporary shelter).
• Food and personal/household supplies.
• Fuel and utilities.
• Medication and essential medical supplies.

Understanding the "Last Resort" Rule

Because GA is the final safety net, applicants must demonstrate they have made a good-faith effort to use their own income and any other available resources first. This means administrators will verify that an applicant has already applied for other benefits like TANF, SNAP, and HEAP.

How to Apply for GA

To apply, individuals must contact their local municipal office (town or city hall). An administrator must take the application and issue a written decision on eligibility within 24 hours. For after-hours life-threatening emergencies, applicants can contact their local police department.

B. Support for Families with Children (DHHS Programs)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

This is the state's primary cash assistance program for low-income families with children, providing a monthly benefit to help families become self-sufficient. Most adult recipients are required to participate in the ASPIRE program, which provides job training and education services.

Alternative Aid

This program is for families who are eligible for TANF but need short-term help to secure or maintain a job. It provides a one-time voucher payment, equal to up to three months of TANF benefits, for expenses like car repairs or a security deposit.

C. Food and Nutrition Programs

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP provides eligible low-income households with a monthly electronic benefit that can be used to purchase groceries. SNAP eligibility is a key gateway to unlocking other benefits like HEAP. Applications can be made online via My Maine Connection or at a DHHS office.

D. Affordable Healthcare and Medical Bill Assistance

• Maine Care: This is Maine's Medicaid program, offering free or low-cost health insurance to eligible low-income individuals and families, covering services like doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions.
• Hospital Financial Assistance: Major hospital systems in Maine have robust financial assistance programs. Maine Health, for example, offers "Free Care" for medically necessary services to patients with household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
• Maine's Insulin Safety Net Program: For residents who are not eligible for Maine Care but face high costs for insulin, this program provides critical relief for those with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.

Legal Assistance for Hardship-Related Issues

Navigating the complex rules of benefit programs, responding to an eviction notice, or fighting a foreclosure can be legally challenging. For an individual facing a complex barrier, contacting a legal aid provider is a critical step.

A. Free Legal Aid for Low-Income Mainers

Several organizations provide free legal services to eligible Mainers, typically for households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA)

PTLA is the state's largest provider of free civil legal aid. They handle a wide range of cases critical to people facing hardship, including eviction defense, foreclosure prevention, and access to public benefits (SNAP, TANF, GA).

Maine Equal Justice (MEJ)

MEJ focuses on ensuring low-income people can access basic necessities through systemic policy advocacy and direct legal services. They are a key resource for individuals who believe they have been unfairly denied benefits by DHHS.

Other Key Legal Resources

• Legal Services for the Elders (LSE): Provides free legal help specifically to Mainers aged 60 and over on issues like housing, healthcare access, and elder abuse.
• Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP): Connects low-income clients with private attorneys who volunteer their time to handle civil legal matters.
• Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic: As part of the University of Maine School of Law, the clinic allows supervised student attorneys to represent low-income clients in a variety of cases.

 Frequently Asked Questions