GENERAL ASSISTANCE
Program Services
The General Assistance program in Maine is administered by each municipality in order to provide immediate help to eligible people who do not have enough money for basic needs. General Assistance provides essential items such as:
- Food
- Heating fuel
- Rent / mortgage
- In order to receive assistance, enrolled individuals must follow program rules and meet the eligibility conditions. Please note the General Assistance Administrator will only be able to assist Thomaston residents.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE NOTICE
The municipality of Thomaston administers a General Assistance program for the support of the poor. Pursuant to Title 22 MRSA §4305, the municipal officers have adopted an ordinance establishing that program. A copy of this ordinance is available for public inspection at the Town Office. Also available for inspection is a copy of the State’s General Assistance Statutes, as copies of the State law are made available to the municipality by the Maine Department of Human Services.
Persons who wish to apply for General Assistance may do so during posted office hours. Blank General Assistance Applications can be picked up at the town office during business hours, or printed from the PDF linked at the bottom of this page.
The municipality’s General Assistance administrator must issue a written decision within 24 hours of receiving an application.
The Department of Human Services’ toll-free telephone number to call with a question regarding the General Assistance Program is 1-800-442-6003. This is not an emergency call number. Call the telephone non-emergency number to the right for urgent General Assistance need .
This notice is posted pursuant to Title 22 MRSA §§ 4304-4305.
Are you or someone you know in need of heating assistance this winter? Check out these local resources:
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) assists income-eligible households in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties with high winter heating costs. Homes may be heated with oil, kerosene, coal, pellets, wood, LP gas, or electricity. Contact www.penquis.org or (207)596-0361 for more information.
Municipal General Assistance Program- Visit your municipal town office to apply for heating assistance. Assistance is based on income eligibility. Stop by the Town Office at 13 Valley Street, visit www.thomastonmaine.gov, or call (207)354-6107 for more information.
AIO Area Interfaith Outreach- You must live in Knox County and be enrolled with AIO and have a red and white enrollment card to be eligible for fuel assistance. Enrollment is based on income eligibility. If you are eligible, AIO will deposit $300.00 into your fuel company account. This is a once-per-year assistance, unless additional funds are obtained by AIO to extend energy assistance. Visit www.aiofoodpantry.org to fill out an application, visit the AIO (1A Gordon Drive, Rockland, Maine 04841) or leave a phone message at (207)596-1043.
Waldo County Woodshed- The Waldo County Woodshed is a volunteer run non-profit group that works to provide free firewood for people in need in the Waldo County and the Maine area. Distribution sites are open during winter months, providing 1/4 cord piles of firewood for short term heating assistance. Wood is available on a first come, first served basis and recipients must sign up in advance. If you need additional wood later on you are welcome to sign up again. A woodshed is located at the Warren Transfer Station. Call (207)338-2692 on weekdays between 10:30 am-4:30 pm.
Basic Needs Resources in the Knox County Area:
Thomaston Food Pantry –13 Valley Street, Thomaston located at the Thomaston Municipal Building– open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9-11am. (closed on holidays) For more information: Food Pantry Manager Roberta Carmichael– 207-354-6004
Rockland Salvation Army-27 Payne Ave, Rockland
If you need help with general assistance or during the holidays, would like to volunteer, make a financial contribution or donate goods, please contact us: Phone: (207)594-5326
Fax:(207)594-1874 Email:. Christian.Smith@use.salvationarmy.org
Knox County Homeless Coalition-169 Old County Rd, Rockport The Hospitality House is Knox County Homeless Coalition’s extended stay family shelter, located in Rockport. We provide a caring, temporary “home” for up to 22 individuals at a time, half of whom are usually babies, toddlers, or school-aged children.
For more information: Phone: 207-593-8151
Email: info@homehelphope.org
New Hope Midcoast (formerly New Hope for Women)- New Hope Midcoast provides emergency shelter services for survivors. If you are seeking safety from an abuser, we can help. We work with victim-survivors of domestic abuse, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking. We can help you find support, financial assistance and assist with filling out housing application paperwork. Website: www.newhopemidcoast.org Email: contact@newhopeforwomen.org Phone: 207-594-2128
Meals on Wheels- Monday-Friday, MCH Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals to older adults and disabled individuals in Knox County making it possible for seniors to live at home for as long as possible. MCH Meals on Wheels serves home-bound seniors over 60 who reside in Knox County. Meals can be delivered on a long or short-term basis. Meals are cooked from scratch each day in our Rockland kitchen. Website: www.mchinc.org Email: ktarbox@mchinc.org Phone: 207-701-9641