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General Assistance
The General Assistance program in Maine is administered by each municipality for the immediate aid of persons who are unable to provide basic necessities essential to maintain themselves or their families. Basic necessities include food, shelter, electricity, and heating fuel. General Assistance is a cure of last resort, and the law requires applicants to apply for other services that may be available before applying for this program. Applicants have the burden of proving that they are eligible for General Assistance.
For information, please call (207) 929-5191 ext. 1110
For emergencies or after hours please call Buxton Dispatch at (207) 929-5151
Additional Assistance
Community Cupboard
The Community Cupboard is located at 6 Groveville Rd., near the Buxton Center Elementary School, at the corner of Long Plains Rd (Rte. 22) & Groveville Road. The mailing address is P.O. Box 165, Buxton, ME 04093. For Hour of operation and to dropped off Non-perishable food contact Betty Robiceau at 207.929-6764.
Buxton Community Service Food Co-op
The Buxton Community Service Food Co-op is located at 939 Long Plains Road. This is the brick building across the street from the church parking lot, at the intersection of Long Plains Rd (Rt. 22 and Haines Meadow Rd., near the Buxton Center Elementary School. The food co-op is open Tue., Fri., and Sat., from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
Contact Information
- Address: 185 Portland Road, Buxton, ME, 04093
- Phone: (207) 929-5191
- Fax: (207) 929-4730
Linked Documents
- [To view any forms or applications, please visit our Documents Page: General Assistance](insert document URL)
FAQ’s
What are the basic necessities?
- Food, shelter, utilities and heating fuel.
Who administers General Assistance?
- State law requires every municipality to have a General Assistance program (section 4305) to handle emergencies. The people responsible for administering the program are the overseers. The overseers can be the Board of Selectmen or the municipal officers may appoint someone to administer the General Assistance program. The Town of Buxton appoints a Welfare Director who oversees the administration of the General Assistance program. It is the General Assistance Administrator’s responsibility, not the applicant’s, to determine if the request for assistance is an emergency.
How can an individual apply for General Assistance?
- Applications for General Assistance are available at Town Hall. Appointments can be made by calling the Welfare Director at 207-929-5191. General Assistance Office Hours are: Tuesday and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What information is needed to process an Application?
- Applicants are required to complete an application which asks general information about the number of persons living in the household, income and assets as well as monthly expenses. Applicants will be asked to show proof of expenses including food, rent/mortgage, heating fuel, electricity, water/sewer, medical expenses and so forth. Without complete information about the applicant’s income and expenses, the Administrator cannot determine eligibility.
- When you apply for General Assistance please bring the following information:
- your most recent bills and/or other proof of expenses including: rent/mortgage, heating fuel, electricity, food, medical expenses;
- cancelled checks, receipts, or other documents that show how you have spent your money and and income in the past 30 days.
- proof of all household income including pay stubs, TANF, SSI and SSDI statements, child support and alimony payments;
- financial statements from all your bank accounts;
- your driver’s license or other photo identification;
- your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of all members of your household;
- your doctor’s statement if you are ill, disabled, or not able to work.
General Assistance Administrators have the authority to request sufficient evidence to determine if any applicant has any cash on hand and how any income in the last 30 days has been spent.
It is up to you to show that you are eligible. If you do not bring in all the information that has been asked for, the administrator may have to deny your request for assistance until you provide the necessary information.
When you apply for General Assistance you are required to give full and accurate information. Any person who does not tell the truth and who knowingly and willfully makes a false representation of material facts in order to attempt to receive General Assistance will be disqualified for 120 days and may be found ineligible.
What is considered income?
- The state law defines income as “any form of income in cash or in kind received by the household” (section 4301(7)). This definition refers to the net amount of earned income as well as retirement benefits, TANF, disability insurance, workers compensation benefits, social security income, alimony, support payments or other forms of discretionary cash or in-kind contributions that may come into the household from employment, friends, relatives or any other source.
What is the maximum level of assistance?
- The Department of Human Services establishes the maximum levels of assistance. The Town of Buxton adopts maximum levels provided by the Maine Department of Human Service. The amount of assistance an applicant receives depends upon the situation. The Town of Buxton is bound by the maximum levels of assistance for various basic necessities and it will not exceed the maximum levels.
Who determines if a person is eligible for assistance?
- Certifying that an applicant is eligible for assistance is one of the General Assistance Administrator’s most important duties. Applicants have the burden of proving that they are eligible for general assistance. The applicant must show the need for general assistance by providing written documentation such as wage stubs, receipts and bills. The General Assistance Administrator is responsible for verifying that information (section 4309). The Administrator may gather or verify information from other sources provided the administrator, prior to contacting third parties, informs the applicant of the sources which will be contacted. If an applicant refuses to allow the Administrator to make a third party contact, the applicant’s request for general assistance may be denied.
Programs & Services
Emergency Assistance
- General Assistance is done by appointment only. To make an appointment, contact the Welfare Director at 929-5191. After hours, call 929-5151. For information on other resources call 2-1-1.
Heat Assistance
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to plan ahead, track and monitor their fuel supply to avoid an emergency. Those with low or no income should apply each year for LIHEAP, a program run by York County Community Action. Information can be found on their website. This should be done before applying for General Assistance. If there are not sufficient resources in the household to purchase heating fuel, individuals may apply for General Assistance. There are limitations on the time of year and how much fuel General Assistance can provide
Electricity Assistance
- If eligible for General Assistance there may be limited assistance with a CMP bill. If an individual is having difficulty paying the light bill, he/she should contact CMP and get onto a payment plan.
Food Assistance
- Individuals may apply for General Assistance to determine eligibility. General Assistance is a cure of last resort so we encourage residents to use local food pantries.
Rent Assistance
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to locate and obtain housing that is within their ability to pay. Housing is a basic necessity. An applicant may apply for emergency assistance. Some help may be available on a temporary basis. There is a maximum amount of assistance that is available for any housing request in a 30 day period. To be eligible for assistance, an applicant must complete an application and meet the income guidelines. Note: If a municipality grants assistance with any part of a mortgage payment, the municipality will place a lien on the property. The lien will stay in effect against the real estate until it is enforced, and can be enforced when the recipient dies or when the property is transferred by sale or gift.
“Keep the heat on”
- This program provides heating assistance primarily for our elderly residents on fixed incomes who are unable to meet the rising cost of heating fuel. To be eligible to use this program applicants must be on “fixed incomes” such as SS or SSDI and must apply for fuel assistance through LIHEAP with York County Community Action. Applicants for Keep The Heat must meet LIHEAP Income Eligibility guidelines. Donations to the program are made with returnable bottles and cans which can be dropped off at the Buxton Transfer Station. The program accepts cash donations and has fund raising events throughout the year. Contact the Director of Social Services at the Town Office at 207-929-5191.
Linked Documents
(Back to top)Rules & Regulations
Part 5, Chapter 1161 mandates that each municipality must administer a service for the immediate aid of persons who are unable to provide basic necessities. Each municipality is legally required to administer a General Assistance program in accordance with the state law and an ordinance adopted by the municipal officers (section 4305). The Town of Buxton adopted a municipal General Assistance Ordinance and adopts amendments (Appendixes A-C) each October 1st of each year.
The Role of the Municipality: Administer a service (General Assistance) for the immediate aid of persons who are unable to provide basic necessities, keep complete and accurate records and maintain confidentiality.
The Town of Buxton appoints a General Assistance Administrator. The Administrator is designated to receive applications, make decisions concerning an applicant’s right to receive assistance, and prepare records and communications concerning assistance. (22 M.R.S.A. section 4301(12))
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