General Assistance

Gov. Janet Mills is proposing a three-month cap to nonemergency housing support through general assistance to rein in the program's costs.

Gov. Janet Mills is proposing a cap on non-emergency housing support through GA, to reign in costs as the state faces a projected budget shortfall.

Applications for General Assistance in Auburn increased by 330% in the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30. And the number of asylum-related cases increased by more than 500%, representing more than a quarter of the roughly 420 applications the city received.

Many asylum seekers rely on GA because they are ineligible for other aid programs, and must wait months before gaining work authorization.

The pandemic, an influx of asylum seekers, a loss of federal funds and an ongoing housing crisis have all placed new burdens on both the state and individual municipalities who administer the general assistance program, officials with Maine's Department of Health and Human Services said.

Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that the state is relaxing eligibility rules for General Assistance and will allow qualified asylum seekers to apply.…

AUGUSTA, Maine - A legislative committee will start to consider bills that would reform the state's general assistance program.Maine towns each run a…

PORTLAND, Maine - Almost 200 asylum seekers living in Portland may face another hurdle to getting financial aid for food and housing: New state…

AUGUSTA, Maine - Town officials, faith leaders and anti-poverty advocates continued to protest Gov. Paul LePage's plan to cut welfare services during…

PORTLAND, Maine - Maine's Republican governor says the state's largest city should face an audit over his accusation that it uses state money to assist…