General Assistance Program
City of Westbrook
General Assistance Program
Westbrook Community Center
426 Bridge Street – Westbrook, Maine 04092
Contact Information
Sarah Lundin – GA Coordinator
Anne-Marie Galipeau – GA Administrative Assistant
Tel (207) 854-0676 / Fax (207) 854-0628
slundin@westbrook.me.us
Office Hours
Monday-Friday – 8am-4pm
** Applicants are seen by appointment only **
If you are experiencing an emergency and it is after office hours, please contact Westbrook Public Safety (207) 854-0654
Program Overview
General Assistance is a program that provides residents of Westbrook assistance with basic needs such as rent, food, non-food, medication, fuel, utilities, and other essential services. No cash assistance is granted, all assistance is granted in voucher form. Applicants and the program administrator actively work to ensure that appropriate community resources are utilized and beneficial referrals are made. While receiving General Assistance individuals are expected to be working towards self sufficiency and stability.
Eligibility
Residents applying for General Assistance must document their use of income, with the exception of "first time" applicants. Current receipts showing how income is spent are required. Only receipts for basic necessities are considered allowed expenses, this includes but is not limited to food, rent, utilities, oil, medication, and work related expenses. If an applicant is requesting assistance with a utility bill, the applicant must provide the entire current bill or disconnect notice. Bills are only assisted with if they are in the applicant’s name. If a General Assistance applicant is also receiving other forms of public assistance like Federal Food Stamps, SSI/SSDI, or TANF they may still be eligible for General Assistance.
Applicants are Expected to Provide
* Identification for all family members including social security numbers.
* Proof of income (not an all inclusive list)
- Wages/ Earned income, Unemployment, SSI, SSDI, TANF, Child Support, Alimony
* Proof of how income was spent
- RECEIPTS
* Proof of supplemental income benefits
- Food Stamps
* Lease or rental agreement with landlord
* Eviction, if seeking help with this
* Utility bills
* Any additional requirements established during last GA meeting. All applicants are issued a
decision sheet at the end of any GA interview. On that decision sheet there are boxes checked off
and comments written to identify exactly what needs to be done for future eligibility. (not an all
inclusive list)
- Job logs, Connecting to resources, Applying for subsidized housing/ affordable housing options,
Medical note
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