Which public benefit programs are still taking Covid-19 into account?

Some key protections and benefits related to the pandemic are still in effect. Here's what we know about how long they may last.

In 2020, Maine, the nation, and the world confronted a new pandemic and its fallout. We experienced sudden changes in our economy and jobs, child care and schools, the ways we interacted with our communities, and our personal health, not to mention the public health.

Local, state, and federal governments responded by offering more support to families and individuals impacted by the pandemic. Many of these changes were tied to emergency rules and declarations. Maine’s state of emergency ended in July, 2021, but the federal public health emergency is still in effect. Because of this, some additional support continues to be available to Mainers.

Here are some key protections and benefits related to the pandemic that are still in effect, and what we know about how long they may last:

Health care:

• If you had MaineCare before the pandemic, or qualified during the pandemic, you will not lose coverage even if your income changes, except for a few limited reasons. As long as the Federal public health emergency is in place, this will continue.
• You should still continue to report changes in your income, but if you become over income you will not lose coverage.
• We don’t know when the federal emergency will end, but it’s likely to continue through early 2022. When it does end, eligibility will be confirmed for everyone with MaineCare. We don’t know exactly what this will look like, but it will be important to look for any notices from DHHS so you can provide needed information about your eligibility when asked. If your situation has changed and you are no longer eligible, there are some other options for coverage.). There will be a special enrollment period for marketplace insurance through CoverME.gov or for employer coverage if you have that option. Contact Maine Consumers for Affordable Healthcare for help with those coverage options: https://www.mainecahc.org/.

Food assistance (SNAP):

• Because of the pandemic, any household that qualifies for any amount of SNAP benefits has been getting the maximum amount for their household size. This is called emergency allotments.
• At the end of Maine’s state of emergency, Maine worked with the federal government to be able to continue to provide the emergency allotments through the end of the federal public health emergency.
• For the time being, if your household qualifies for SNAP you will get the maximum amount, including if you have categorical eligibility. Continue to report any income changes to DHHS.

Income Support (TANF):

• If you have been told that you are not eligible for TANF because you have used 60 months of benefits, you may be eligible for a COVID-related extension of TANF benefits. DHHS is considering these requests on a case by case basis, but if COVID interferes with your ability to support your household (for example, there is someone in the household who cannot be vaccinated), you may be eligible.

Housing and utilities support:

• The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is still in effect through September 2022, and you can apply for help with your rent and your utilities through Maine State Housing Authority.
• In January, the state is expected to open a new Maine Homeowners Assistance Fund, which is pandemic-related federal support to help with mortgage payments. Sign up for updates and learn more about the program.

Applying for benefits can be difficult and discouraging. We listen without judging and do whatever we can to solve the problem with you. If you have been told that you can’t get benefits, but you think that you should qualify, contact us for help.