Rep. Arata's News from the Legislature

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Town of New Gloucester

385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260

(207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)

Town of Poland

1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274

(207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)

Poland

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, as appointments fill up fast.  Apply for HEAP August 23, 2021 to July 15, 2022.  You can apply for emergency fuel help from November 1, 2021 to 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 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!  You may still apply for HEAP even if heat is part of your rent.  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.

 

Need to Talk to Someone? Seeking Local Services and Resources?

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 2-1-1.

2-1-1 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services.  2-1-1 Maine is based in Maine and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Specialists are trained and friendly; they know we all need help sometimes.  You can reach 2-1-1 via phone, text, or email to talk to someone or by searching the online database to find local services.

2-1-1 is known as the resource where people go when they do not know where else to go.

Non-Emergency Services, Family Resources, Health, and Financial Assistance

Whether it is financial assistance, domestic violence, addiction treatment, healthcare, mental health, or heating and utilities assistance, specialists 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, 2-1-1 Maine has been a statewide service.  2-1-1 Maine began as part of the national 2-1-1 movement designed to centralize and streamline access to health and human service information, and resources with an easy-to-remember universal number and Web site for non-emergency help.

More Than a Hotline:  Help, Information, Privacy

2-1-1 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.  2-1-1 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) recently announced that 8,278 Mainers selected plans for affordable health coverage in 2022 through CoverME.gov, Maine’s 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, 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 assist 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 during the November 2, 2021 referendum election has been posted on the Secretary of State's Web site.

The tabulation is available here, and was communicated to the Governor on Monday, November 15.

There were 416,055 total ballots cast in the election.  Given an estimated voting age population of 1,095,370, the overall turnout was 37.98%.

A link to final tallies can be found here.