Except when it is impractical, the General Assistance Administrator
will interview each applicant personally before making a decision.
The interview will be conducted in private, although the applicant
may be accompanied by a legal representative, friend or family member.
Those present will not dominate the interview or obstruct the Administrator
from conversing with the applicant and obtaining information directly
from the applicant. The interview may be tape recorded by the Administrator
for administrative purposes as long as the applicant is so informed
and the recorder is clearly visible.
At a minimum, the application will contain the following information:
A. Applicant's name, address, phone number, birth date and social
security number.
B. Name(s), date(s) of birth, and social security number(s) of other
household members for whom the applicant is seeking assistance.
C. Total number of individuals in the building or apartment where the
applicant is residing.
D. Employment and employability information.
E. All household income, resources, assets and property.
G. Types of assistance and reason being requested.
H. Penalty for false representation.
I. Applicant's permission to verify information.
J. Signature of applicant and date.
An application is considered withdrawn if:
A. The applicant requests in writing that his/her application be withdrawn;
or
B. The applicant refuses to complete or sign the application or any
other form needed by the General Assistance Administrator.
Under special circumstances, the General Assistance Administrator
may temporarily refuse to accept applications for 24 hours. Such circumstances
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. When the applicant's conduct is abusive, disruptive, or harassing,
or when the applicant is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In these situations, the applicant will be asked to leave, and if
the applicant refuses to leave, the police may be summoned. The applicant
will be informed that an application will be accepted when his/her
conduct is under control.
B. When a third party applies for assistance on behalf of the applicant.
That person may be required to provide written verification that he/she
has been duly authorized to act as a representative for the applicant
(22 M.R.S.A. § 4308).
C. When it is not possible to communicate with the applicant due to
a language barrier or severe physical or mental impairment, and it
is determined that it may be necessary to obtain an interpreter or
social worker or health worker to assist.