General Assistance
By Appointment Only
General Assistance Administrator:
207-547-3159
PROGRAM HOURS FOR APPOINTMENTS:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:00 AM - NOON
Assistant General Assistance Administrator:
Mary Blaschke
mblaschke@sidneymaine.org
207-547-3159
General Assistance Application
CLICK HERE → General Assistance Application (PDF)
The General Assistance Program provides assistance to Sidney residents for basic necessities during an emergency situation. Basic necessities include, but are not limited to medication, fuel, rent, food, and electricity. The General Assistance Program is administered under the State of Maine’s DHHS guidelines.
What to bring to the interview
The ENTIRE household must provide proof of all sources of income. Applicants must provide proof of identification for themselves and ALL other household members. Social Security number for each household member is required.
- Income sources include:
- Regular Employment Wages
- Income Tax Refunds
- Child Support Benefits
- TANF Benefits
- Social Security Benefits
- Disability Benefits
- Worker’s Compensation
- Checking/Savings
- Pensions
- Rental Income
- Savings Bonds
- Trust Funds Annuity
- Life Insurance
- 401K – IRAs
Sources of Financial Resources include (not an inclusive list):
- Automobiles
- Recreational Vehicles
- Real Estate
- Cash
Eligibility
General Assistance Program applicants must document expenses incurred to them. Current receipts indicating how income was spent is required during the application process. Receipts for basic necessities are considered allowed expenses. Examples of basic necessities are, but are not limited to, food, rent, electricity, medication, and work related expenses. The applicant must provide a disconnect notice or the entire electricity bill for payment consideration. Electricity bills must be in the applicant’s name.
Items NOT considered Basic Necessities or Eligible Expenses:
- Phone Bill
- Cable Television
- Mail Orders
- Vehicle Payments
- Credit Card Debt
- Furniture
- Loan Payments
- Cigarettes
- Alcohol
- Vacation Costs
- Pet Care Costs
- Legal Fees
- Late Fees
- Key Deposits
Resources
Town of Sidney Resource Sheet (PDF)
To inquire on qualifications for Food Supplement, Health Care, Cash Assistance, Child Care, visit the Department of Health & Human Resources website at: DHHS (URL)
For fuel assistance (LIHEAP) inquiries, visit:KVCAP (URL)
►For food, household supplies, and personal supplies contact the Sidney Community Food Cupboard at 207-805-6362. Beginning May 1, 2016, the Food Cupboard will be open the second Wednesday of each month (8:00AM-11:00AM and 1:00PM-3:00PM).