General Assistance

The Oakland Town Office General Assistance Program is a service administered by a municipality for the immediate aid of persons who are unable to provide the basic necessities essential to maintain themselves or their families.  A GA program provides a specific amount and type of aid for defined needs during a limited period of time and is not intended to be continuing “grant-in-aid” or “categorical” welfare program. This definition shall not lessen the municipality’s responsibility to provide GA benefits to a person each time that person is in need and is found to be eligible to receive GA.

Eligible Person:   A person who is qualified to receive GA benefits from the municipality according to the eligibility standards in this Ordinance, Maine Law (22 M.R.S. Ch 151) and DHHS regulations (10-144 C.M.R. Ch 323). If otherwise qualified, “Eligible Person” includes U.S. citizens; non-U.S. citizens who are lawfully present in the United States as describe in 8 U.S.C. §1621(a)(1)-(3); and non -U.S. citizens who are pursuing a lawful process to apply for immigration relief.  Assistance for non-citizens pursuing a lawful process for immigration relief shall not exceed 24 months beginning with assistance provided after July 1, 2015.  “Eligible Person” does not include a fugitive from justice as defined in 15 M.R.S. §201(4). 

Who May Apply:    Any person may apply for GA. The head of the family, any other responsible household member, or an authorized representative must apply in person, except in special emergency situations ( see ordinance §4.9) or when the applicant resides at an emergency shelter and the municipality has made an agreement with that emergency shelter to presume shelter residents eligible for GA benefits.  (22 M.R.S. §4304(3)). In such cases the Administrator may require a representative to present a signed statement documenting that they are authorized to apply on behalf of the named applicant. The applicant ore representative must complete a written application and any other forms necessary for the Administrator to determine eligibility (22 M.R.S. §4305, 4308). With notice, all members of the household receiving GA may be required to physically present themselves to the Administrator.  Note that fugitive from justice are ineligible for GA benefits.

Telephone Applications: When a person has an emergency but is unable to apply in person due to illness, disability, lack of childcare, lack of transportation or other good cause, and they cannot send an authorized representative, the Administrator will accept an application by telephone.  The telephone application is subject to written verification by mail and a visit to the applicant’s home with their permission. (22 M.R.S. § 4304).

Written Application Upon Each Request: Each request for assistance will be administered in accordance with these guidelines, and the Administrator will make an independent determination of eligibility for GA each time a person applies.  (22 M.R.S. § § 4308, 4309).

Applications Accepted; Posted Notice: Any person may apply for general assistance during the municipality’s regular business hours.  In an emergency, however, the Administrator or their designee will be available to accept applications for assistance whenever necessary. 

The municipality will post notice stating the times and location where people may apply for assistance and contact information for the Administrator available to take emergency applications at all other times. In addition, the posted notice shall state that the municipality must issue a written decision on all applications within 24-hours and will include the DHHS toll-free telephone number for reporting alleged violations or complaints. (22M.R.S §4304).

Oakland Food Pantry

OAKLAND-SIDNEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
20 WEST SCHOOL STREET
OAKLAND MAINE 04963

The Oakland Food Pantry is open to Oakland residents on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month except for November and December when they are open on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays due to the holidays.

Any Oakland resident is welcome to patronize the food pantry on these days.

If you are in a situation where you are out of food, you may call the town office 207-465-7357 and speak to the Town Clerk Kathy Paradis. You may also call 207-514-6924 and an individual from the food pantry will also be able to assist you.

Also available once a month is the Winslow Community Cupboard Produce Trailer. They are located at 9 Pleasant Street in (across from Main Street Gulf Station). You may also obtain the availability of other locations where they will be located on their website at wccpantry.com. You do not have to be a resident to get food from these trailer locations.

Food Pantry and Winslow Community Cupboard Dates & Locations (PDF)

Please feel free to contact the Oakland Town Office with any questions regarding the Oakland Food Pantry or the Winslow Community Cupboard Produce Trailer.