General Assistance

The General Assistance Program is a service administered for the aid of people who are unable to provide the basic necessities to maintain themselves or their families. It provides help with basic necessities such as food, shelter, fuel, and electricity. A specific amount and type of aid for defined needs during a limited period and is not a continual categorical assistance program. General Assistance is administered in accordance with the Maine State laws and is intended to help people who are in need and have nowhere else to turn; it is a program of last resort.

GA applications are available at the office during office hours, or you may download one here. Please review the GA Application Checklist with your application.

Please provide the following documentation when applying for General Assistance:

• Completed General Assistance Application
• Government-issued photo identification
• Copies of your most recent bills and/or other proof of expenses:
  • Housing Assistance:
    • Eviction notice (if requesting housing assistance)
    • Rental agreement or lease (if requesting rental assistance)
  • Utility, Heating Fuel & Medical Assistance:
    • Central Maine Power (CMP) disconnect notice (if requesting assistance with an electric bill)
    • Doctor’s statement (if requesting assistance due to illness, disability, or inability to work)

Robert A. Witherly bequeathed a trust fund to the Town of Industry in which he named the Lovejoy-Witherly Endowment. On August 1, 2017 the Town voted to accept the trust that the Board of Selectmen now oversee.

The Lovejoy-Witherly Endowment is available for residents of Industry who are 60 years of age or older who are in need of assistance with their utility expenses and/or real estate taxes. The amount of no less then $2,000.00, but no more than $3,000.00 per year is to be expended for this purpose. The intent is to help multiple people and not the same individual every year.

If you fit the parameters of the trust and need assistance you may speak with one of the Selectmen, complete an application that is available at the Town Office or download the application from the link below.