General Assistance Rule #26A - P.L. 2024, Chapters 575 and 643

Date posted:

Attachment(s):

General assistance Program

10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 323; Maine General Assistance (GA) Manual

Sections II, III, V, VI, VII, X, XI, XII and XIII

GA Rule #26A – P.L. 2024, Chapters 575 and 643

The adopted rule effectuates changes to 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 323; Maine General Assistance (GA) Manual consistent with legislative changes to 22 M.R.S. §§ 4302, 4304 and 4305 made by P.L. 2024, Chapters 575 and 643.

The adopted rule updates are consistent with the proposed rule except for the following updates made to the final rule in response to public comments:

  • SECTION II. DEFINITIONS – a definition for ADEQUATE HOUSING has been added as “Adequate housing is defined as meeting the basic needs for safety, space, and protection from the elements.”
  • SECTION II. DEFINITIONS – the definition of AVAILABLE RESOURCES has been updated to “Any asset, income or other source of support that can be accessed by the applicant or Authorized Representative to alleviate the need for General Assistance. Potential Resources are not considered Available Resources.”
  • SECTION V. MAXIMUMS, CATEGORIES AND LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE – (D)(8)(a) has been updated to “A municipality may choose to consider the actual costs of an emergency shelter up to the housing maximums allowed by ordinance, applying the zero-bedroom level for one person, in accordance with 22 M.R.S. § 4305(3-B).
  • SECTION VI. MUNICIPALITY OF RESPONSIBILTY (B)(5) is updated to “If an applicant is in an institution at the time of application and has been for 12 months or less, or had a residence immediately prior to entering the institution that the applicant had maintained and to which the applicant intends to return, the municipality of responsibility is the municipality where the applicant was a resident immediately prior to entering the institution.”
  • SECTION XIII. TRAINING (A)(2) is updated to “As part of its role in jointly administering the General Assistance Program, the Department shall, upon request from a municipality, provide training to new administrators; provide guidance and opinions on issues brought to its attention by a municipality; and provide General Assistance training and/or guidance subsequent to statutory or policy changes.”

This rule will not have an adverse impact on municipalities or small businesses.

Statutory Authority: 22 M.R.S. §§ 42(1); 4302-A; 4304(1); 4305 (3-B); (7) and 4323(1)

Effective Date: April 1, 2025

Office: Office for Family Independence

Comment deadline:

Effective date:

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