Maine assistance programs

In Maine, two state finance authorities carry much of the load: the Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing) runs both homebuyer grants and heating assistance, and the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) runs both the Grow Maine small business money and the need-based Maine State Grant for college. Cash assistance and child care subsidies come from two offices of the Department of Health and Human Services, and both are decided statewide rather than by county.

Where you apply depends on the program. MaineHousing's $5,000 Advantage and $10,000 First Generation grants come only through about 40 approved lenders with a First Home Loan, while HEAP heating help is taken by nine Community Action Agencies, plus ProsperityME for Portland residents, using one application that also screens for crisis fuel (ECIP), furnace repair, weatherization and the electric-bill credit. The Maine homebuyer guide and heating help guide cover both.

DHHS keeps its two programs apart. The Office for Family Independence decides TANF, Alternative Aid and Emergency Assistance through My Maine Connection, with the ASPIRE work program run with Fedcap Families. The Office of Child and Family Services reviews every Child Care Affordability Program application in Augusta, and new applicants have gone on a waitlist since November 30, 2024. Public pre-K is separate and run by local school units. See Maine TANF and Maine child care assistance.

For business owners, Maine has no general startup grant: FAME's money is loans, loan insurance and equity, and the real grants are narrow ones from MTI, the Maine International Trade Center and the Department of Labor (Maine small business guide). Students file the FAFSA for the Maine State Grant, recent high school graduates attend community college tuition-free, and adults retraining for high-wage jobs go to a CareerCenter for the Competitive Skills Scholarship (Maine student grants).