The Town of Harrison offers a General Assistance program to support eligible residents who are unable to meet their basic needs. This program is designed to offer confidential, temporary financial aid for essential living expenses such as food, housing, utilities, and medical costs.
General Assistance is considered a program of last resort, meaning that applicants must explore and utilize all other available resources before qualifying for GA. The Town also provides referrals to additional community, county, and state support services.
What Assistance May Cover
Eligible assistance may include support for:
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Food and personal household supplies
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Rent, mortgage, or temporary housing
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Electricity, heating fuel, and other utilities
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Medical, dental, prescriptions, and medical equipment
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Burial or cremation costs
Who Administers the Program?
General Assistance Administrator: Catherine Pinkham
Phone: (207) 583-2241
Location: Harrison Town Office, 20 Front Street
Office Hours & Appointments
Thursday & Friday
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Appointments are preferred. All applications are handled in accordance with state and local ordinances, and applicants will receive a written decision within 24 hours of submitting a completed application to the General Assistance Administrator.
Emergency or After-Hours Assistance
In accordance with Maine law (Title 22 MRSA §§ 4304–4305), every town is required to have someone available 24 hours a day to accept emergency General Assistance applications.
If you require urgent help when the Town Office is closed:
Application Process & Required Documents
To apply, you may be asked to provide documentation including, but not limited to:
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Photo ID (for all adults in the household)
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Social Security cards
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Birth certificates (for children)
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Proof of income (paystubs, TANF, Social Security, unemployment, etc.)
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Signed lease or rental agreement
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Utility bills (if requesting utility assistance)
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Medical documentation (if claiming medical hardship)
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Recent receipts (repeat applicants)
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Proof of other assistance programs (EBT card, DHHS or SSA letters)
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Immigration documents, if applicable
Note: It is important that income is used for basic necessities. If funds are used for non-essential purchases, it may impact eligibility.
Know Your Rights
If your application is denied or not accepted, or if you believe the Town has not followed the correct process, you have the right to file a complaint. You may contact:
Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Toll-Free: 1-800-442-6003
(Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
If you call after hours, leave a message with your name and phone number, and someone will return your call on the next business day.
Important Resources & Downloads
