General Assistance

Welcome to the General Assistance Page!

Hours:  Wednesdays 9A – 11A or by appointment

Sophia Musolff @ 737-4305 x 202

In case of an after-hours emergency call Richmond Police Department @ 737-8518

General Assistance (GA) is a “service administered by a municipality for the immediate aid of persons who are unable to provide the basic necessities essential to maintain themselves or their families.”  22 M.R.S.A. 4301 (5).  The key terms in this definition are immediate, unable and basic necessities.

GA is intended to provide immediate aid, thus assistance must be granted or denied within 24 hours of an application.  It is for people who are unable -not- unwilling to maintain themselves or their families.  Finally, GA is intended to help people with necessities: food, shelter, utilities, fuel, clothing, and certain other items, when they are essential.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS:

Richmond Trust Funds

Richmond Emergency Assistance Program (REAP)

This program is being established to grant assistance to citizens in need and the requested assistance cannot be provided by GA.  Richmond Trust Funds, Salvation Army, Food Bank, or any other assistance program available.  Often these households are just over the income levels established for the GA program.  REAP will focus on meeting the needs of households not eligible for federal or state funding programs currently in place.