[Adopted 11-13-2013 by Ord. No. 13-08. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The Municipality of Kittery administers a program of general
assistance (GA) available to all persons who are eligible to receive
assistance in accordance with the standards of eligibility as provided
within this title, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
GA policy and in 22 M.R.S.A. § 4301 et seq.
B.
Every effort will be made to recognize the dignity of the applicant
while encouraging self-reliance. The program will strive to help eligible
persons achieve self-maintenance by promoting the work incentive.
When possible, it will seek to alleviate needs other than financial
through rehabilitative, preventive and protective services. The general
assistance program will place no unreasonable restrictions on the
personal rights of the applicant or recipient, nor will there be any
unlawful discrimination based on sex, age, race, nationality, religion,
sexual orientation or disability. The municipality is committed to
including qualified individuals with disabilities, in municipal services,
programs, and activities. As a result, the municipality will promote
a GA program that, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible
to and usable by individuals with disabilities. GA applicants with
physical or mental disabilities that require a reasonable accommodation
in order to access and/or utilize the municipal GA program are encouraged
to provide the municipality with advance notice regarding the accommodation
request.
C.
The general assistance administrator will act promptly on all
applications for assistance and requests for fair hearings. GA applicants
will be provided information regarding their rights and responsibilities
under the GA program. Within 24 hours of receiving an application,
the administrator will provide the applicant a written decision, whether
or not assistance is granted, that will state the specific reasons
for the decision. The administrator will also provide the applicant
written notice that the applicant may appeal to the municipal fair
hearing authority if dissatisfied with the decision. When an applicant
is determined to be eligible, assistance appropriate to the need will
be furnished within 24 hours after the completed application is submitted
except when the administrator issues nonemergency assistance conditionally
on the successful completion of a workfare assignment (see § 11.5.6
of this title).
D.
The administrator will maintain complete and accurate records
pertaining to each applicant and recipient. These records are confidential
as a matter of law (see 22 M.R.S.A. § 4306).
E.
The administrator will post notice stating the day(s) and hours
the administrator will be available. The administrator, or other designated
person/entity, will be available to take applications in the event
of an emergency at all other times. A copy of this title and Maine
General Assistance Law will be readily available to any member of
the public upon request. Notice to this effect will be posted.
