Assistance programs in Oxford and Franklin County Maine.
Low income families will find churches, charities, or non-profits that offer financial assistance. Find help with rent or security deposits, grants to pay heating or utility bills, free groceries from food pantries, cash loans, and even medical or dental care in Oxford and/or Franklin County. There are also items such as free school supplies or gasoline vouchers for work. Get financial help near you in Oxford and Franklin County.
Free items are given out as well to low-income families, seniors or single parents. This includes free Christmas toys and clothes for kids, legal services, gas vouchers, and even home repairs such as windows. Learn where to apply for help with those bills or government assistance as there are options below.
Community Action grants and self-sufficiency
Both Franklin and Oxford County area of Maine are supported by the Western Maine Community Action, Inc. Resources and services offered include those listed below.
- Utility and heating bill assistance is provided as well as grants and money to help low income individuals pay heating costs and bills. There is free grant money for either renters or homeowners. A number of emergency assistance funds for fuel delivery may be available for the low income in the community. In addition, the government supported Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also known as Fuel Assistance, provides direct cash grants and payments to fuel vendors on behalf of income eligible households for paying for oil, kerosene, LP gas, coal, wood and wood pellets.
- Another program is the Energy Crises Intervention Program (ECIP), which may be able to provide cash grants as well as emergency financial assistance for low income eligible households for an emergency fuel delivery or to prevent a shut off. This too is part of LIHEAP. Learn more on LIHEAP crisis money today.
- Free Food can be obtained from a few sources, including Women’s Infant and Children. Informally known as WIC, the program provides families and individuals with nutrition and health information. WIC can also importantly offer vouchers to families to help them purchase healthy foods including: cereal, milk, cheese, juice, eggs, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, brads, as well as whole grains.
- The government run commodity food program, also called (TEFAP), can give deliveries to those in need. They partner with ten local pantries and banks across the region. They also partner with Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine.
- Senior Food Program, which is also called the WMCA’s Supplemental Commodity Food Program, helps older residents. It gives free groceries and items such as Ensure to seniors and elderly adults in the community.
- Rent assistance is offered in Oxford and Franklin County from the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program. This service provides help to the low income in Franklin and Oxford Counties, and support is available to renters who are in the eviction process and also help is offered to those who are homeless in the community.
- Appliance Replacement Program (ARP) replaces old and/or inefficient refrigerators, light bulbs, and freezers with modern, energy efficient equipment such as compact fluorescent lights and energy efficient freezers and refrigerators.
- Help finding a job - An on site Career Center is where the unemployed and people who are looking for new skills can turn to. It is the place to start when you’re looking for your first job, your next position, a better job-or a whole new career or to increase your income. It covers all of upstate Maine. The agency offers job listings in a wide range of fields as well as educational information, careers and assistance. There are even innovative programs such as details taking and selling pictures for money, which can capture the beauty of the region.
- Operation Santa Claus program works closely with local businesses and organizations to provide gifts to the more than 1200 children and elderly individuals who are served by the program.
- Medical referrals are given. Community Action directs low-income and uninsured patients in Franklin and Oxford County too clinics, government benefit programs and other resources. One of the primary services offered are referrals to Maine health care clinics as well as other social service programs.
- Home Repair Hardship Grants - People who are 62 or older and/or who may be financially eligible for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program may be qualified to receive grants to repair their homes. Cash grant awards or very low interest (or zero percentage) loans of up to $5,000 are available to help cover home repairs and updates, including windows that are energy efficient. Locate free government grants to replace windows.
To learn more about any of the programs offered above, dial Western Maine Community Action, Inc. at (207) 645-3764. Address is 20 Church St, East Wilton, ME 04234.
Places for financial help, free food boxes, medical and social services
United Methodist Economic Ministry - Call this local charity to apply for heating or fuel assistance, basic home repairs, medical equipment assistance. There is also wheel chair ramp construction, and information on other programs or non-profits in Franklin County Maine. The address is 1458 Salem Rd, Strong, ME 04983. (207) 678-2611.
Main Housing or Avesta Housing - This non-profit runs the local version of MaineHousing's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Read more on section 8 housing vouchers. However, in general the program provides rental assistance by subsidizing a portion of the renters monthly housing costs, including utilities. The voucher will pay money directly to landlords.
If your utilities or heating bills are not included in rent, the program may pay a larger portion of the expense so the tenant is able to cover their monthly utility payments on their own. A significant amount of financial assistance is provided, and the amount of aid is equal to the difference between what the tenant pays toward rent and the cost of the apartment or home being leased. Call (207) 624-5789 or (207) 553-7777
Community Concepts - This HUD approved housing counseling agency offers resources, information, advocacy, housing counseling, and more services to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. An on site counselor provides free one-on-one assistance to homeowners in the region, and the services offered are free of charge. Some of the assistance includes determining a budget for the homeowner and establishing a payment plan in cooperation with the lender or homeowners bank to prevent default or foreclosure. Dial (207) 795-4065
The Salvation Army has a regional service too. It addresses both (1) basic needs and (2) emergency help. Whether it is shelter, free food or back to school supplies, rent help, or case management, support is offered. They also try to provide Christmas gifts from Angel Tree, warm winter clothes, and general guidance. More on Franklin and Oxford County Maine Salvation Army.
Western Maine Health - Rumford Community Based Outpatient Clinic - A community clinic that offers fees that will vary based upon primary medical and health care and preventive health services. Other services provided include health promotion and disease prevention, medical benefits counseling, laboratory services, mental health services, as well as home-based primary care. There is also free basic dental, include dentures for seniors in Franklin and Oxford County. Call (207) 743-5933 or (207) 897-4345
Oxford and Franklin County both have Department of Health and Human Services. They help low-income, the unemployed, disabled and others apply for social services and public assistance. Get MaineCare (Medicaid), free or low cost food from SNAP, SSI grant money, housing and TANF benefits among others Medical is arranged too, and apply for MaineCare.
- Oxford County - 243 Main St Ste 6, South Paris, ME 04281. Call (207) 744-1200
- Franklin Count - 114 Church St, Farmington, ME 04938. Phone: (207) 778-8400
St Luke's Episcopal Church has a free food pantry and clothing closet. Groceries, holiday meal baskets, free winter coats for kids or seniors and other support is from 59 High St, Wilton, ME 04294. Phone: (207) 645-2639
Receive free food or groceries from Carthage and Weld Food Pantry (dial 207 562-8874) or Oxford Helping Hands Food Pantry, call 207 539-4431.
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