Residency

• All candidates for TANF benefits must be residents of Maine. During the application process, you will be required to provide driver's licenses, utility bills and/or rent receipts in order to establish your family's residency.
  
  

ASPIRE

• Maine mandates that able-bodied adults participate in work activities as soon as they are able, through a welfare-to-work program called ASPIRE. ASPIRE participants sign a contract with the state. In return for child care, benefits and transportation, beneficiaries work or go to job training. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires all states that a certain percentage of TANF cases be working: 50 percent for single parents and 90 percent for families with two parents, as of January 2011. Single parents must work an average of 30 hours per week, or 20 if they have children under six years old. Two-parent families must work an average of 35 hours per week, or 55 hours if they also receive help with child care. If you do not meet your work responsibilities, you will have your TANF benefits reduced or canceled.
  
  

ASPIRE Extra Benefits

• If you participate in ASPIRE, you may receive additional benefits besides cash assistance. The program will pay for necessary items to meet the work requirements, such as eye care costs for glasses, books, school supplies, license fees and uniforms. As of January 2011, these are generally limited to $500 worth in a calendar year.
  
  

Application

• Applications for TANF benefits can be downloaded from the the Maine Office of Integrated Access and Support web page. You will need to answer questions and provide documents concerning your wages, housing costs, utilities, assets, medical bills and all members of your family. After completing your application, you will need to submit it to your local Maine Department of Health and Human Services office.