Assistance for Single Moms in Maine

Single moms can receive help and assistance in all cities and counties across the state of Maine. Assistance programs aid with free food, housing costs, rent, energy bills, mortgages, free health care, and more.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Low income single moms can get help with buying the food they need for good health with the help of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Thrifty Food Plan, the model diet plan the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses to project the cost of food for one month to different household sizes helps determine the amount of food assistance benefits each household receives. A household’s eligibility for the SNAP program is also determined by taking into consideration different resources such as bank accounts, cash real estate, personal propriety, vehicles and so forth. Some resources may be counted toward the allowable limit while some are not. An explanation for which resources are being taken into consideration will be offered by a SNAP worker. Not counted toward the limit are the resources of people who get public assistance, SSI, and, in some locations, general assistance. Call the SNAP hotline for more information by dialing 800-442-6003.

Maine School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals are being offered to school children each school day with the help of the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Nearly 70,000 schools offer breakfast at school nationwide while over 92,000 schools offer lunches at school. Dietary Guidelines for Americans Federal nutrition standards must be met by school breakfasts and lunches. Children can also be given afterschool snacks by some schools if they participate in the school’s afterschool programs. Contact Walter Beesley, a child nutrition specialist, to learn more about the program at 207-624-6843.

Maine Special Milk Program
Children in schools, childcare institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in the Federal child nutrition meal service programs can receive milk from the Special Milk Program. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs can participate in the Special Milk Program for half-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children who do not have access to a school meals program. Schools and institutions get reimbursed by the program for the milk they serve. 1,300 summer camps and 562 non-residential childcare institutions participated in 2001, alongside nearly 7,000 schools and residential child care institutions.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Low-income pregnant, breastfeeding postpartum women and single moms, infants and children up to the age of 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk can receive supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, from the WIC Program. Applicants must be determined by a health professional, at no cost, to be a nutritional risk in order to be fully eligible for the program. For more questions about the WIC program call the Maine WIC program office at 800-437-9300.

Maine Summer Food Service
As well as learning, a child’s need for good nutrition does not end when school lets out. Children in low-income areas can get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school through the free, nutritious meals and snacks provided by the Maine Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Contact Jamie Curley, a Summer Food Service Program Outreach Coordinator, for more information about the program at 207-624-6666.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
While single moms are temporarily unable to support themselves, Maine TANF is financial assistance meant to keep children in their homes. Parents or caretaker relatives are responsible to work on an employment plan while they are receiving assistance. Call 207-626-4600 for more information about the program.

Head Start
Head Start is a Federal program that aims to enhance the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children from birth to age five from low income families making sure they are school ready. Language, literacy, and social and emotional development are some area where the program can support a child’s growth. The role of parents is emphasized by the program as their child’s first and most important teacher. To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, call 866-763-6481.

Maine Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Rental assistance in the form of monthly subsidies or vouchers can be provided to low income single moms with the help of this program. On behalf of the federal government and U.S. Housing and Urban Development department a number of non-profit agencies and public housing authorities administer this program. Call 866-357-4853 for more questions about the program.

Credit Assistance
Single moms can get help to pay and reduce debts, be offered housing counseling, and be administered general budgeting and financial advice from a number of non-profit organizations across the state of South Dakota. To contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling call 800-388-2227.

Financial Aid
The Salvation Army, one of the nation’s leading charities, has centers across the state of Maine. Low income single moms can use the resources offered by this charity to pay their bills, housing, and address other basic needs.

MaineCare
A “Federal/State” program, formerly known as Medicaid, MaineCare provides assistance to single mothers with limited resources. The program can help eligible Maine residents with their health care payments. For more information about the program you can call toll-free at 207-624-4168.

MaineCare (SCHIP)
Families with children and pregnant women can receive free or low-cost health insurance from the MaineCare program. The applicant must be a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, under 19 years of age or be a primary care giver with a child under the age of 19, not covered by health insurance (including Medicaid), and a resident of the state of Maine in order to qualify for this benefit program. Call 877-543-7669 for more information about the program.

Legal Assistance
Providing residents and single mothers with free legal aid, the state of Maine offers access to lawyers and non-profit law firms. Pro-bono legal assistance for civil matters is also offered. Call Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. of Maine at 207-774-4753 for help.

Unemployment Insurance
If eligibility requirements are met, financial assistance is provided through Unemployment Insurance benefits to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. You must have worked in South Dakota during the past 12 to 18 months and have earned at least a minimum amount of wages, in order to qualify for this benefit program. Call the Unemployment Claim Center at 800-593-7660 to get help with filing a claim.

Maine Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low income homeowners and s renters can receive financial assistance to help pay for heating costs from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (commonly called LIHEAP or HEAP). Funds are distributed throughout Maine by eleven Community Action Programs, in most cases directly to the fuel vendors. The program's goal is to assist in paying the heating bills, not pay for all heating costs. For more information on benefits and eligibility please call 800-452-4668.