Health & Welfare

Municipal Government
General Assistance Information (Welfare)

Administered in accordance with: 
Title 22 MRSA  4301-4326 & Municipal GA Ordinance  •  Appendices  •  Somerset County Thresholds
Overseen & audited by State of Maine, Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) 

Applications are accepted during regular business hours.
Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Applications are reviewed by appointment only.
Appointment times are Tuesday and Thursday - 9:00AM - 11:00AM

To apply for General Assistance, client/applicant (or registered caseworker) must call 453-7911 x109 to make an appointment with the Welfare Director who conducts an intake-interview over the phone & provides the application packet for completion prior to scheduling an appointment (email/mail). 

Appointments are scheduled on a first call, first served basis. 
Brittanee Guerette, Welfare Director
Phone: (207) 453-7911 x109
Fax: (207) 453-4280
bguerette@fairfield-me.gov 

The General Assistance Program is a service administered for the aid of people who are unable (vs. unwilling) to provide the basic necessities to maintain themselves or their families. It provides a specific amount and type of aid for defined needs during a limited period and is not a continual categorical assistance program. General Assistance is administered in accordance with Maine State laws & municipal Ordinance, and is facilitated in collaboration with, oversight and audited by State of Maine DHHS. General Assistance is intended to help people who are in need and have nowhere else to turn to no fault of their own. It is a program of last resort. The municipality has the responsibility to assist eligible Fairfield residents who are in need, who have a right to apply. 

General Assistance provides temporary help with basic necessities, ie: rent, heat, and electricity. Applicants/recipients must meet eligibility and compliance requirements. The Welfare Director/General Assistance Administrator also refers applicant to outside support agencies and resources (see links below) including KVCAP/LiHEAP, SNAP, TANF, Food & Essentials Pantry.

Work Requirement - If an individual is unemployed, but able to work, he or she must do the following:

• Register to work at the ME Job Service Career Center www.mainecareercenter.com
• Participate in regional Job Fairs, Job Bank & Job Fairs (Maine Career Ctr)
• Actively look for work
• Accept any suitable job offer
• Participate in training or educational programs that would help them get a job, and still be available to work including Vocational Rehabilitation. 
  
• Utilize online job search engines (public library access available).  
• Weekly Job Search Lab, Waterville Public Library
• Indeed.com, Midmainechamber.com
• If applicable, enroll in Maine Works or refer to our Resources for Disabled & Post-Incarceration Workforce Reintegration which includes employers who hire felons & addiction recoverees 

If an individual does not comply with these work requirements, they may not be eligible to receive General Assistance.

The Importance of Utilizing Resources
It is important that a person use their income for basic necessities. When their income is enough to pay for their household expenses, but they spend it on items that are not essential, they will not be eligible for General Assistance. Also, an individual must use all resources that would diminish their need for General Assistance, such as:

• Food & Essentials Pantry (food & household essentials ie: soap/toiletries, paper goods, etc.)
• LiHEAP, TANF and any other government program
• Trust funds, 401(k) or other retirement accounts
• Federal & State Income Tax Returns, Stimulus Funds, Property Tax & Rent Fairness Credit
• Workers Compensation / Unemployment Income
  
• Child Support payments
• Medical or rehabilitative programs
• Support from legally liable relatives

What Happens when an application is submitted?
Within twenty-four hours after you apply for General Assistance, the Welfare Director will issue a written determination explaining why an applicant is or is not granted assistance. The Welfare Director verifies application information and associated content with employers/property owners etc., then contacts DHHS for verification and consultation. 

If eligible, vendors/landlords provide IRS form W-9 and invoice to the Town > municipal government check is then issued by the Town (no cash transactions), with GA Accounts-Payable Warrants finalized at the end of each month in which service is provided, then approved by Council for payment at their next meeting (2nd Wed of following month). For eligible applicants, vendor/landlords must agree to these terms-of-payment and the Somerset County thresholds set by the State of Maine; without penalty to the client for the applicable period. 

When ineligible for assistance, applicants receive a written determination with details for denial outlined in accordance within program parameters. Applicants are informed they may challenge the decision by requesting a fair hearing. The GA Fair Hearing Authority presides over hearings appealing the decisions of the Welfare Director. 

Application Packet:

1. GA Memo & Required Support Documentation List
2. GA Rights & Responsibilities
3. GA Requirements for Use of Income
4. GA Work Search Log
5. GA Application, Fillable Form
6. Area Resources
7. Medical Substantiation, for work/search exemption
Minor under 25 Form Applicants under 25 are subject to Title 22 MRSA  4319

Links 

• RESOURCES for the Fairfield Area
• Fairfield Food & Essentials Pantry (food, paper-goods, toiletries/personal care, cleansers)
• Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry (additional info, current proof of residency required)
• Maine DHHS GA & Welfare
• Maine DHHS HOPE Employment Program
• Maine DOL Unemployment Services
• MeDHHS Family, Teens, Children, Adults, Elders RESOURCES
• Maine Suicide / Crisis Resources & Hotline: Dial 988
• Central Maine Power - help with bills
  
• Habitat for Humanity Weatherization Program
• Internet, Affordable Connectivity Program
• KBH/PATH Homeless Resources
• Kennebec & Somerset Community Resource Guide
  
• KVCAP & LiHEAP fuel/energy assistance
• Landlord List (Fairfield)
• Maine Homeless Shelters by County
• Maine's Free Apartment Rental Listing Service
• Pine Tree Legal Services • Legal Services for the Elderly
• Senior Resources
  
• Tenant Rights Ch 14 • Maine Rights of Tenants • ME Landlord Responsibilities • Rental Statutes
• Transportation - KVCAP
• Useful links to county and state agencies
• 211 State Resource Links