PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Since December, protests have been held at Portland’s Department of Health and Human Services over a decision to move the offices to South Portland. Construction is already well underway, with a goal of opening the new location by the start of next year. Portland Mayor Michael Brennan says the LePage … Read more
PORTLAND, Maine – Protestors marched again today against the planned move of the Department of Health and Human Services offices from its current location in Portland, to a new site in South Portland. They’ve been demonstrating against the move every month since December. The LePage administration says the move will save the state money and … Read more
AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A public hearing on new welfare requirements was held on Wednesday. The Department of Health and Human Services says it will require “able bodied adults” who get SNAP benefits — commonly known as food stamps — to get jobs or volunteer. Commissioner Mary Mayhew says, “The volunteer aspect of this … Read more
AUGUSTA, Maine – Advocates for the low-income, veterans and the homeless turned out in Augusta to express their strong opposition to a proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services to cut off food stamps or SNAP benefits to able-bodied, childless adults after three months unless they work 20 hours a week, volunteer or … Read more
Advocates for the poor are urging Governor LePage’s administration to scrap a plan that would require people to have a job to receive food stamps. LePage’s administration announced last month that it will no longer seek a federal waiver that has allowed jobless people to continue receiving benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Non-elderly, … Read more
STATEWIDE (WGME) — The Department of Health and Human Services moves forward with a proposed rule change, requiring some food stamp recipients to work for their benefits. Wednesday afternoon, the department held a public hearing, the one and only opportunity for Mainers to weigh in. About two dozen people signed up to speak, most of … Read more
AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Health and Human Services held a hearing on Wednesday on new food stamp requirements. Last month the state announced that it will require most able-bodied recipients to work, provide volunteer services or be involved in a specialized work training program in order to receive food stamps for longer … Read more
AUGUSTA, Maine – A proposed rule change by Gov. Paul LePage that could see about 12,000 food stamp recipients lose eligibility for the program on Jan. 1 was decried by advocacy groups Tuesday during a public hearing held by the Department of Health and Human Services. Representatives from soup kitchens and food pantries, as well … Read more
Experts may say the economy is getting better in light of the bulls on Wall Street, lower unemployment figures and rising home prices, but for those stuck in a low-paying job, life is downright difficult. Trying to pay the bills on $8 or $9 an hour can be an exercise in frustration and anxiety. And … Read more
The shrewdness of panhandling on a median strip at a busy intersection is that it places the panhandler on the driver’s side of vehicles when they stop at red lights. Cities all over the country have seen a rise in recent years in roadside panhandlers, and Maine cities are no exception. Motorists in Portland have … Read more
