About one in seven Maine families relies on food stamps, including many households with elderly or disabled residents.
welfare
Posted inNews, Politics
Maine DHHS starts rulemaking process on public assistance for asylum seekers
Gov. Janet Mills does not plan to change rules proposed by the LePage administration after a court decision forcing the state to restore benefits it had been denying.
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Posted inMaine
Maine says it’s reduced welfare penalties to $1.8 million
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine has largely avoided $28 million in federal penalties by making sure enough welfare recipients are working, according to a Sept. 25 letter obtained by The Associated Press from Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to lawmakers. Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration told lawmakers last week that Maine now only faces $1.8 million […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Supreme Judicial Court orders state to expand Medicaid coverage
Maine’s highest court has ruled the LePage administration must file a plan to expand Medicaid, even as it fights implementation of the ballot initiative approved by voters last fall. The ruling Thursday by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court delivers a blow to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who has steadfastly opposed efforts to extend the public health coverage to […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Social contract between generations needs updating
WASHINGTON — The trustees for Social Security and Medicare issued their annual reports last week. This is cause for discouragement because it reminds us how much we’ve mortgaged the country’s future to spending for older Americans. Already, Social Security and Medicare constituted 42 percent of federal spending in 2017, say the trustees. If they had […]
Posted inUncategorized
Judge plans quick ruling on whether Maine must submit Medicaid expansion plan
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy said Thursday she will issue a ruling as soon as possible in a lawsuit against the state over implementation of Medicaid expansion, which Maine voters approved last year. At issue is whether the state Department of Health and Human Services must file paperwork with the federal government as outlined in […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
One man released, the other held in Twin Cities welfare fraud case
PORTLAND — Two men from the Twin Cities charged with welfare fraud appeared in federal court Monday seeking release from jail. At an afternoon hearing, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge John Rich III ordered Abdirashid Ahmed, 38, of Lewiston released on $5,000 bond after seizing his passport. Rich said Ahmed would be equipped with an […]
Posted inNation / World
Grocers worry that ‘harvest boxes’ could hurt business and patrons’ health
RANKIN, Pa. (AP) — Finding fresh food in this tiny riverside community that was hit hard by the steel industry’s decline has always been a challenge. Then, seven years ago, Carl’s Cafe opened. The grocery store, near new government housing, offers cooking classes and a source of fresh, healthy food. Proprietor Carl Lewis even has […]
Posted inMaine
Why the Trump administration won’t let Maine ban soda and candy from food stamps
Momentum is building for new food stamp restrictions that would ban the purchase of candy and soda. This week, however, the Trump administration denied a request from the state of Maine that would have placed such restrictions on its food stamp program. The denial, issued Tuesday, is the first sign that President Donald Trump’s Department […]
Posted inMaine
Trump administration opens door to work requirements for Mainers who benefit from Medicaid
Gov. Paul LePage cheered the Trump administration Thursday after Medicaid officials opened the door for states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, a policy long sought by Maine’s Republican governor. Progressive groups, meanwhile, roundly criticized the move and threatened legal action, arguing that receiving medical care helps people stay healthy enough to work. Maine […]