Assistance programs in Knox, Lincoln and Piscataquis County
Get help for rent, heating bills, utilities, prescriptions, etc.
Each and every town in Maine runs a general assistance program, which can provide income qualified individuals with temporary assistance and cash grants to provide fuel, utilities, free food, rent and housing assistance, non-elective medical necessities, medications, and basic services essential to maintain a household and to get some bills and rent paid. Call your local town and ask for the general assistance program. Some of the towns and their phone numbers are Town of Isle Au Haut (335-5001), Town of Camden (236-3353), and City of Rockland (594-0302), Town of Jefferson (549-7401), Town of Medford (732-4079) but call your local office.
An organization that supports all of the Knox County Maine area is Fund for the Worthy Poor. The non-profit may be able to provide temporary cash grants and assistance for paying for your fuel, utilities, heating bills, housing costs and expenses, free food, non-elective medical necessities, prescription medications, dental work, dental assistance, and even home repairs and energy conservation updates. 236-3353
Area Interfaith Outreach is located in Rockland and offers assistance with energy bills, utilities, water, electricity, and kerosene through a free voucher based program. 596-1043
Salvation Army is another non-profit that offers emergency assistance which can include free food, utilities, rent assistance, heating oil, and clothes. 594-5326
Lincoln County Maine is served by Bridge Charitable Fund. Dial (737-4485). It offers help with paying rent or utilities; holiday assistance programs, children's clothing, or winter clothing for the low income and needy in the area.
Housing Services are offered in all towns and cities in Maine. The elderly, low income, and needy can get help with pay heating bills, and funds are offered for both renters and homeowners. In addition, emergency assistance funds for fuel delivery may be available to the low income. 564-7116
The community action agency of Knox, Piscataquis, and Lincoln County is Penquis. The resources, grants, and counseling programs they administer include:
- Fuel Assistance, which is formally called the federal government Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, or even HEAP.
- PUC refrigerator program - This service replaces energy inefficient refrigerators with new refrigerators that can help people save on their monthly energy bills.
- Head Start - This is offered for children up to five years of age. Services offered include dental exams and necessary follow-up, medical appointments, child care, immunizations, and other aid.
- Section 8 housing - Speak to a counselor and apply for a voucher that can be used to pay rent.
- Weatherization and energy conservation - Offered for free to income qualified families. Get help on utility bills, access energy audits, and advice on heating oil tanks.
- Free food - Get help from Commodity Food Distribution, which distributes USDA/Maine Department of Agriculture to food banks in the community.
- Home repairs - Get repairs to your home to ensure they are sage and energy efficient.
- Foreclosure and mortgage programs - They partner with MaineStream Finance, which is a HUD approved counseling agency. Mortgage and housing counselors from the organization can provide free face to face or phone counseling when individuals or families are facing foreclosure or the lose of their home.
- First time homebuyers - A variety of housing programs are available for down payment/closing cost financial assistance.
- Reverse mortgages - These are available for senior citizens.
Call Penquis at (207) 973-3500.
Food assistance programs
Moosehead Associates Food Cupboard of Greenville Maine offers emergency food assistance programs and resources. Phone number 695-2774
Other food banks and pantries to turn to in the community include Living Word Community Food Cupboard of Dover-Foxcroft (717-5319), Newcastle Ecumenical Food Pantry - Second Congregational Church (563-6900), First Baptist Church (549-5361), as well as the Town of Friendship Food Bank (832-9989). Read more on Maine food banks.
Foreclosure prevention and housing counseling
Homeowners in the area can call Coastal Enterprises Inc. Get access to information on mortgage and foreclosure assistance, advocacy, HUD approved housing counseling, and resources to avoid foreclosure. The HUD certified housing counselor will be able to provide free one-on-one assistance to homeowners, and as noted all information and services are offered free of charge. Type of assistance provided includes determining a budget and payment plan, accessing information on mortgage programs, and all resources are offered in cooperation with the homeowners bank or lender to prevent default or foreclosure of their home. Call 877-340-2649 to apply for help or learn more. Click here for information on HUD foreclosure agencies.
Medical services for free or on a sliding scale
Sebasticook Family Doctors serves Piscataquis County and the surrounding area. The community clinic can provide the needy, low income, and uninsured with comprehensive primary health and dental care services, a prescription assistance program, referrals to state of Maine and federal government programs, and a healthcare and dental discount program. Care is offered at reduced rates, or even for free. 564-8710
Knox County Health Clinic is a non-profit that operates as a medical clinic, offers dental assistance and a services program, mental health and wellness program, medicines and prescription assistance program. 594-6996
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