RESOURCES FOR MAINE FAMILIES

Feeding a growing family is tough – especially these days. Resources are available statewide to help Maine families access food for kids.

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Fill out a school meal application today!

School meals are free for all Maine students, but it’s still important to fill out an application as it helps your school access important state and federal funding. Also, eligible students can receive extra money for groceries when schools are closed due to Covid through Pandemic EBT. Apply using the button below, and if your school district is not listed please contact them directly to apply.

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Pandemic EBT: Get extra help with groceries

Your child may be eligible for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). The links below contain important information you need to know to access this benefit for your kid(s).

Benefits for eligible school-age children and children under age 6 for school year 2021 and 2022 were issued during the last week of August and first week of September. Summer P-EBT benefits are still coming! If your child already has a P-EBT card please hold onto it.

If you already receive SNAP, your child is qualified for free meals at school, or the school your child attends meets certain eligibility thresholds, YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT A P-EBT CARD IN YOUR CHILD’S NAME. The card would have arrived in an unmarked, white envelope. To report a missing or discarded card, visit the Maine EBT website.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Your family may also be eligible to receive grocery benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

You can use this online benefit calculator to determine eligibility.

You can also text the word FOOD to 74544 to complete a quick screening for SNAP.

Visit the Office for Family Independence to learn more.

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Food Finder

Use Good Shepherd Food Bank’s food map, to find food pantries and year-round meal sites

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Child Tax Credit

Thousands of dollars in credits to support you and your family (even if you don’t have earned income)!   

Most Maine parents are eligible for thousands of dollars in federal and state tax money, including the Child Tax Credit, an $850 relief check, and other credits. You don’t need to have income for this credit (or have filed taxes in the past). This money is not a loan and you will not have to pay it back. You won’t get in trouble for filing, even if you have no earned income and haven’t filed before. It will not count against any other federally-funded public benefits, like TANF, SNAP, or MaineCare. Questions or need help? Get started online with your taxes by going to www.getyourrefund.org/MEJ or call Flavia at Maine Equal Justice, at (207) 888-3963.

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Child Care Subsidy Program

The Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) provides financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the cost of childcare. Visit the CCSP Website to learn about eligibility for this program and to apply.

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This free resource page is provided, in part, through the generous support of