Self Help Tools

Posted and up-to-date on 4/29/2020 Introduction Many people who will get a stimulus check under the CARES Act may also receive public benefits. You may be worried about whether getting a stimulus check will change your eligibility for public benefits.

Posted and up-to-date on 7/30/2020 I need MaineCare, TANF, and/or SNAP (food stamps), where do I go to apply? These services are run through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Up-to-date as of 7/30/2020 Is the Social Security Administration Open? Yes, but there have been changes because of COVID-19.

SSI benefits are the benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that come on the 1st of the month. If SSA finds that you have gotten too much money in your SSI benefit, they will send you a Notice of Overpayment.

How does domestic violence affect children? Violence and trauma can have long-lasting effects on children who witness or experience violent events.

Section 17: What’s Really Going On? What do I need to know? Are you worried you might lose Section 17 services because of the recent changes?  Have you gotten a notice that you are no longer eligible for Section 17 services? This guide answers some common questions and explains the changes to Section 17 eligibility.

Immigrants who are not official U.S. citizens may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, if they meet certain qualifications.  SSI can help people who are elderly or disabled, and have little or no income.

Maine DHHS is offering this online tool My Maine Connection as another way to apply for benefits.  You may still apply in person, if you prefer, or over the phone (in programs that allow phone applications).  But this is now the most streamlined way to apply. 

This year, you won’t have to worry about losing your benefits if you get a big tax refund. Starting in 2011, any tax refunds you get will not affect most public benefits, or how much you get! Under the law passed in December 2010:

Can you explain the MaineCare Deductible? Do I actually have to spend all that money before MaineCare can help me? Will Medicaid pay the deductible once I meet it?