Maine Equal Justice

08/31/2026

"For [Kathleen] Anderson, who said she gets roughly $1,240 a month from Social Security and currently has $8 in her checking account, $300 will help pay her bills and fill her car with gas. Anderson said she also plans to put some of it toward essentials like toilet paper and dish soap, which are not covered by food stamps."

full story: https://vist.ly/5gqxw

do you qualify for a $300 check? https://vist.ly/5gqx2

Kathleen Anderson, 75, doesn’t have to file taxes because her income comes from monthly Social Security checks. But this year, Anderson had to file in order to be eligible for a $300 payment from the state.

08/26/2026

Many non-citizens who have low income are able to get SNAP, but there are different federal and state rules depending on your immigration status.

We have updated information about SNAP eligibility for non-citizens on our website available in English, Arabic, French, Lingala, Portuguese, and Spanish: https://maineequaljustice.org/help-is-available/help-for-immigrants/

08/21/2026

The Equal Justice Partners' Circle summer convening was this week! We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the EJPC with joy, connection, learning and a few tears. This group of Mainers with experiences in poverty are the core of MEJ's work to guarantee economic security for all of us, we are so grateful to each of them for the heart and passion they bring to the EJPC. 💙💚🤍

08/20/2026

You can see the status of your affordability payment or see if you're eligible on Maine Revenue Service's website: https://vist.ly/5fjdh

The following CA$H Maine coalitions have the capacity to provide assistance during the off-season. Call the coalition closest to where you live or go to cashmaine.org.

Aroostook County CA$H: (207) 764-3721
CA$H Greater Portland: (207) 347-2335
Central Maine CA$H: (207) 859-1632
Community CA$H Coalition of Western Maine: (207) 739-6530
Midcoast Maine CA$H: (207) 295-6340
York County CA$H: (207) 459-2899

For more information, see Maine Revenue Services’ FAQ on their website or contact them at (207) 624-9924 or [email protected].

08/06/2026

We get it, Dr. Oz, a lot of people like to visit Maine in the summer. But MaineCare is too important to those of us who live here year 'round to let bad ideas go unanswered!

We should *always* hold dishonest service providers accountable, but not punish children, families, people with disabilities and older Mainers by taking away the health care they depend on.

background: https://vist.ly/5dv6x

08/05/2026

Thank you, Rep. Representative Cheryl Golek and all Maine legislators who are supporting fair tax policies. As a member of Mainers For Tax Fairness, what this business owner says rings true. Worth a read! https://www.pressherald.com/2026/08/04/millionaire-tax-is-good-for-maine-businesses-good-for-maine-opinion/

As both a legislator and the founder of a small business, I appreciated reading this perspective from another Maine business owner. The "millionaire's tax" included in Maine's supplemental budget was based on a bill I sponsored, LD 1089. Investing in our workforce is also an investment in Maine's businesses, our communities, and our future.

I'll share the full opinion piece in the comments.

08/04/2026

"Rural areas of Maine, where people tend to rely on SNAP, are being hit especially hard by the changes, according to hunger prevention advocates. Work exemptions were removed for rural areas with low employment options, leaving some people struggling to find work or volunteer opportunities to maintain access to food assistance, according to advocates.
..'These numbers show what Mainers and our clients already know — more people are hungry in Maine, especially in our most rural communities,' Alex Carter, a senior policy advocate for Maine Equal Justice."

A Feeding America report says more than 203,000 people in Maine are experiencing food insecurity, based on 2024 data.

08/03/2026

⚠️ Many SNAP rules have changed in the past year. Our website is updated with new information that may be helpful about work-reporting requirements, changes for older adults and people with a disability, and immigrant eligibility: https://vist.ly/5ddb2

07/29/2026

Our annual newsletter is coming to mailboxes this week! You can also read it online here: https://vist.ly/5cuk3

In this issue: MEJ Turns 30: Reflections and Milestones, Legislative Session in Review, A Day at the Peer Workforce Navigator Clinic, Celebrating 10 Years of the EJPC, and more!

07/27/2026

Maine's $300 relief checks will start going out around July 31, but it will take the state a few weeks to mail them all. If you're income-eligible and you filed your 2025 Maine state tax return, you don't need to do anything else - the check should be mailed to you automatically.

Income guidelines:
Under $50,000 (individual filer)
Under $75,000 (head of household)
Under $100,000 (married filing
jointly)

If you don't normally file taxes, but your income makes you eligible, this article explains your options:

The state is basing eligibility for these $300 checks on a person's 2025 tax return.