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Quitting Work or Getting Fired If you have been working, but quit your job without a good reason or get fired from your job for misconduct, you are automati- cally ineligible to receive assistance for 120 days from the date of separation from your employment. Remember that the administrator does not want to disqualify you from receiving the assistance you need, so it is in your best in- terest to fully comply with the work pro- gram rules. Fraud If the administrator finds out that you have not told the truth, or withheld information, you will be disqualified from receiving assis- tance for 120 days and until you reim- burse the municipality for any assis- tance that was received fraudulently. In addition, the administrator may refer your case over to the police department or District Attorney’s Office for committing General Assistance fraud, which is a Class E crime. The administrator does not want to disqualify you or get you in trouble with the law, so make sure to always tell the truth when you apply for General Assistance. Confidentiality The information concerning your request for assistance, including the application, budget sheet, decision and other information re- garding your case is strictly confidential. You, the social services staff and certain government personnel may review your rec- ords, but the general public may not review your records unless you have given your ex- press permission. CITY OF LEWISTON SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM A GUIDE TO THE APPLICANT’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES CLIENTS ARE SEEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY GA Office Hours: Monday-Friday : 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Lewiston City Hall 27 Pine Street Lewiston, ME 04240 Phone: (207) 513-3130 After hours: call 911 or go to the Lewiston Police Station at 171 Park Street. DHHS HOTLINE 1-[PHONE REDACTED] For questions regarding the GA Program ---PAGE BREAK--- What to Bring With You When You Apply You will need to provide: (Continued) A Doctor’s statement if you are ill, disabled or not able to work; Proof of all household income including, but not limited to: Wages Cash on hand Income Tax Refunds Unemployment Benefits Child Support Benefits TANF Benefits Social Security Benefits SSI/SSDI Disability Benefits Checking/Savings Accounts Veteran’s Pensions Rental Income Loans Worker’s Compensation Savings Bonds Trust Funds/Annuity Life Insurance Policies Retirement Accounts School loans Assistance from Relatives In-kind Income Self-Employment Income Financial Resources Car/Recreational Vehicles Real Estate Holdings When Assistance is Granted The GA administrator will determine your eligibility based on whether your countable income is less than your necessary expenses and the program's income maximum. Countable income is your actual income minus your work related expenses. The administrator or caseworker must issue a written decision within 24 hours of receiving a completed application. Program Overview The General Assistance Program (GA) assists eligible people who are in need and have no- where else to turn. It provides assistance for basic necessities such as rent, food, personal and household supplies, medication, heating fuel, utili- ties and other essential services. All assistance granted is in voucher form and no cash assistance is granted. Eligibility has to be determined within 24 hours. How to Apply You can apply at the city hall, look for the GA Program Notice outside of the city building. Any- one can apply to the city/town they are present in if he/she plans to live there. If there is no town office, ask the town clerk or a select-person. What to Bring With You When You Apply Your GA Budget will be based on the 30 day pe- riod beginning on the date you apply. If you have ever applied in any town/city in Maine, you are a repeat applicant, and you will need to show what your household income was in the 30 days be- fore you applied and how you spent that income. You will need to provide: Your most recent bills and/or other proof of expenses including: rent/mortgage, heating fuel, electricity, food, medical expenses; Cancelled checks, receipts, or other docu- ments that show how you have spent your income in the past 30 days (repeat appli- cants); Your driver’s license or other identification; Your Social Security Number and the Social Security Number of all members of your household; Immigration Documents Work related expenses; GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM If you have not provided all the information needed to determine your eligibility you may be notified you are ineligible until the information is provided. If you are found eligible, assistance will be granted Eligibility With the exception of “first time” applicants, anyone applying for General Assistance must document their use of income. Current re- ceipts showing how income has been spent are required. Only receipts for basic necessities are considered allowed expenses, which include but are not limited to food, rent, heating fuel, utili- ties, medication and work related expenses. Use of Potential Resources The city will direct you in writing to apply for resources such as TANF, SNAP LIHEAP, SSI, Social Security Disability, Child Support and other Programs. You may also be referred to a provider for medical treatment or rehabilita- tion at no cost to you. You will be allowed 7 days to show you applied for these resources. Work Requirement If you are unemployed or underemployed (working less than full time) but you are able to work, you must: Register for work at the Career Center; Actively look for work; Accept any job offer (paying at least mini- mum wage); Participate in any no-cost training, retrain- ing, educational or rehabilitative program that would help you get a job if referred to such a program by the administrator; and Agree to perform and successfully complete work for the municipality if assigned to a “workfare” program.