 Home Energy Assistance Program (via Maine State Housing Authority)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs if you are eligible for HEAP.
How do I apply?
You apply at your local Community Action Agency (CAA). You can find your local CAA here. It is important to call as soon as you can because appointments fill up fast. Apply for HEAP August 23, 2021 to July 15, 2022. You can apply for emergency fuel help November 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022.
For more general information on the program visit the program page or call 1-877-544-3271.
Who’s eligible for help?
Qualifications for the HEAP program have recently changed. The amount of help you may receive from HEAP is based on your household size, income, and energy costs. Contact your local CAA to find out if you qualify today!
The amount of help you may get from HEAP is based on your household size, income, and energy costs. You may still apply for HEAP even if heat is part of your rent.
STEP ONE
We want anyone who needs help to apply. It is best to talk to someone at your CAA because there are many factors that go in to finding out if you are eligible. You can click here to see if you meet the basic income guidelines.
Apply even if you are over income limits because some expenses may be deducted.
STEP TWO
Find your local Community Action Agency here and schedule an appointment. You can also apply over the phone.
STEP THREE
You will need certain documents to apply. This list may not include everything so make sure you ask your CAA what to bring.
- Names and Social Security numbers of everyone living in your household
- Proof of gross household income for the last 30 days/1month or 12 months. In some instances, people who are self-employed may need to provide proof of income for the previous 365 days. Household income includes, but is not limited to:
- Wages
- Social Security
- Unemployment
- Pension
- Disability payments
- Proof of present address (rent receipt, lease, property tax bill, etc.)
- Recent copy of your electric bill
- The type of fuel used to heat your home
Need to Talk To Someone? Seeking Local Services & Resources? We Can Help
With hundreds of hotlines and helplines and thousands of programs offering all types of services to help people lead healthy, independent lives, it can be overwhelming to try and find the right phone number or service for you. You are not alone. Every day, thousands of people across Maine turn to 211.
211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services. 211 Maine is based in Maine and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our Specialists are trained and friendly; they know we all need help sometimes.
You can reach 211 via phone, text, or email to talk to someone or by searching our online database to find local services.
211 is known as the resource where people go when they don’t know where else to go.
Non-Emergency Services, Family Resources, Health & Financial Assistance
Whether it’s financial assistance, domestic violence, addiction treatment, health care, mental health, or heating and utilities assistance, we will talk to you to find out what you need and walk you through all the options to find the right service or program for you.
Since 2006, 211 Maine has been a statewide service. 211 Maine began as part of the national 211 movement designed to centralize and streamline access to health and human service information and resources with an easy-to-remember universal number and website for non-emergency help.
More Than a Hotline: Help, Information, Privacy
211 Maine is a collaborative effort of the United Ways of Maine, the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and The Opportunity Alliance as the Contact Center Partner.
Together, we ensure people in Maine have access to the information they need to stay safe and healthy. -- 211 Maine is completely confidential
Maine DHHS Releases First CoverME.gov Open Enrollment Snapshot
In the first two weeks of Open Enrollment, over 8,000 Mainers selected plans for affordable 2022 health coverage
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) announced today that 8,278 Mainers have selected plans for affordable health coverage in 2022 through CoverME.gov, Maine’s new Health Insurance Marketplace, during the first two weeks of Open Enrollment from November 1-13. This includes 862 new and 7,416 returning consumers.
At CoverME.gov, Maine people can compare plans, apply for financial assistance, and enroll in a 2022 health plan.
Plan selections provide a snapshot of activity by new consumers and returning consumers who are renewing a plan for 2022. “Plan selections” become “enrollees” once they have paid their first monthly premium to complete enrollment and begin coverage. The numbers are subject to change since consumers may modify or cancel plans after their initial selection. OHIM will report plan selections every two weeks during open enrollment on CoverME.gov.
OHIM has launched a comprehensive marketing campaign to raise awareness of Maine consumers' options for coverage through the Marketplace, including social and digital media, ads on buses, bus shelters, diner placemats, TV and radio ads that begin airing statewide this week, and outreach to previously underserved populations including Maine’s immigrant communities.
Since the start of Open Enrollment on Monday, November 1 until November 13, 26,724 Maine people have visited CoverME.gov. The Consumer Assistance Center has received 9,549 calls and chats. 10,276 people have used the Plan Compare tool on CoverME.gov, which allows users to get information about eligibility for financial assistance and evaluate plan options prior to starting an application.
The enrollment deadline for coverage beginning January 1, 2022, is December 15, 2021. New this year, at the direction of the Governor, CoverME.gov gives Maine residents an extra month of Open Enrollment, through January 15, 2022, to sign up for coverage.
This year, Maine people can take advantage of additional federal financial assistance that makes coverage more affordable than ever. More than 80 percent of people shopping at CoverME.gov qualify for help paying for health insurance. With extra assistance from the American Rescue Plan, nearly 25 percent of consumers in Maine enrolled in a plan in 2021 with a monthly premium of $10 or less. This assistance will continue to be available in 2022. Even those who were not eligible in the past can likely get assistance to lower monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs.
Health plans offered on CoverME.gov provide quality, comprehensive private coverage that will protect consumers if they have an accident or major illness and support preventive screenings and visits. Free enrollment help is available to help consumers find the plan that meets their needs and budget. This year, 71 health plans are being offered through CoverME.gov. For information, visit coverme.gov/localhelp or call (866) 636-0355/TTY 711 (for languages other than English, choose option 4).
As in previous years, those who already have a Marketplace plan will be automatically re-enrolled in their current plan or the most similar offering from their health insurance carrier. However, consumers are encouraged to visit CoverME.gov to check out new plans and update their family and income information, as new financial assistance is available that may offer more affordable coverage that best meets their needs.
People who apply through CoverME.gov who are eligible for MaineCare will have their application sent to MaineCare for review. Eligible Maine people can enroll in MaineCare at any time of year.
Full results for Nov. 2, 2021 election posted online
The official tabulation of the votes cast for the November 2, 2021 Referendum Election has been posted on the Secretary of State's website.
The tabulation is available here https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results21.html , and was communicated to the Governor on Monday, November 15. She has 10 days from yesterday to proclaim the results of the ballot questions.
There were 416,055 total ballots cast in the Referendum Election. Given an estimated voting age population of 1,095,370, the overall turnout was 37.98%.
Link to final tallies: https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2021/electionresults11-2-21.html
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