General Assistance

What it is: 

General Assistance (GA) 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” (22 M.R.S.A. § 4301(5)). The key terms in this definition are: immediate, unable and basic necessities. 

 

GA is intended to provide immediate aid, thus assistance must be granted or denied within 24 hours of an application. It is for people who are unable -- not unwilling -- to maintain themselves or their families. Finally, GA is intended to help people with basic necessities: food, shelter, utilities, fuel, clothing, and certain other items, when they are essential. 

 

GA provides “a specific amount and type of aid for defined needs during a limited period of time and is not intended to be a continuing ‘grant-in-aid’ or ‘categorical’ welfare program” (§ 4301 (5)). Despite the stated intent that GA not be an on-going source of income to an applicant, there is no limitation on the number of times a person may apply for and receive GA if they are eligible. 

 

**Alna 3rd Selectman, Charlie Culbertson, is the General Assistance contact for the Town of Alna (3rdselectmanalna@gmail.com).