The Office for Family Independence (OFI) connects Maine families to services and programs that foster health, safety, resilience, and opportunity and help them to meet a wide variety of needs.
We determine initial and ongoing eligibility for the MaineCare (Medicaid), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) public assistance programs, and issue benefits for SNAP and TANF.
Through our ASPIRE, SNAP E&T, and HOPE programs we help eligible individuals meet their long-term employment and education goals. We also provide transitional and short-term assistance and oversee and provide funding for municipalities’ General Assistance programs.
At OFI’s Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER), Maine’s child support agency, we help families establish paternity, locate parents, and determine, enforce, and collect on child support obligations.
Additionally, OFI’s Office of Disability Determination Services (DDS) makes decisions on medical eligibility for federal Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits.
Learn more about the work of the Office for Family Independence at our programs and services page.