Find out about work incentives and rules designed exclusively to help Social Security beneficiaries, (SSI or SSDI) like you, get back to work. Meet your area Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC), who will co-facilitate the session. To register for one of these workshops, or to learn more, contact your local Ticket to Work Liaison at the phone #s listed below.

Work Incentives Workshops

Thursday, February 9, 2012                      

10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Maine Equal Justice, 126 Sewall St., Augusta

Some travel and childcare reimbursement is available at the meeting.

REMINDER!    Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.

Call and leave a message for your legislators asking them to not cut MaineCare.

If you have called them, THANK YOU for working with us to defeat these proposed cuts!

If you haven't called, please do it NOW!  It'll only take a few minutes.  The lines are open 24 hours a day.

Toll-free numbers:  Representative 1-800-423-2900

                                     Senators  1-800-423-6900

For more info, click here.

To find your legislators, click here

MAIN Meeting Agenda

If you have an issue that you would like on the agenda, please contact MAIN Leaders 

I.     Introductions & Announcements:  10:00 am

Tell a little bit about yourself, and what's going on in your life, your community, or with groups you work with.  Short announcements including events or actions are welcome!

II.   Legislative and public policy updates:  10:30 am

Maine Equal Justice will update us on the state supplemental budget, and other legislation and public policy related to unemployment insurance, the circuit breaker program, and TANF.  You can also share information are legislation that you are working on.

III.   MAIN Leadership Team:  11:30 am

Report on MAIN 2012 Outreach & Action Campaign:

*           Outreach to members on legislative work

*           Committee work on MAIN organizational issues

The High Hopes Clubhouse offers people who live with mental illness recovery through meaningful employment. The Clubhouse goal is for members to enter the workforce, which will reduce or eliminate their reliance on public benefits. The High Hopes vision is that people living with mental illness achieve their potential and are respected as co-workers, neighbors and friends.

Please stop by Bangor Savings Bank and cast your vote for High Hopes Clubhouse or visit

http://www.bangor.com/Why-Bangor-Savings/Supporting-Our-Communities/Community-Matters-More.aspx.

HHS releases more than $863 million to help low-income households with energy costs stay safe and healthy

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing more than $863 million today to grantees to help low-income households with their heating and other home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). HHS is releasing the remaining funds, made available by the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74), to states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia.

“This support is critical for families needing assistance to pay their home energy costs,” said George Sheldon, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. “We are releasing these funds today to help ease the burden for those vulnerable families and aid them in getting through the remaining winter months and the summer months ahead.”

LIHEAP assists low-income households, including families with children and seniors, with their home energy needs such as heating in the winter, cooling in the summer, and insulating their homes to make them more energy-efficient and to reduce their energy costs. The $863 million in regular block grant funds released today is in addition to the $2.6 billion released since October 2011. Including funds released today, grantees will receive a total of $3.4 billion in LIHEAP block funds for Fiscal Year 2012.

“Many Americans make difficult decisions whether it’s paying for rent, food and heating costs, which can add a real strain on families,” said Jeannie Chaffin, director for the Office of Community Services. “We are releasing these funds today to help as many families as possible get through this winter season safe and warm.”

For a complete list of additional funds available to grantees today please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2012/FY2012LIHEAP_GrossAlloc.html.

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.