Committee discusses raising general assistance maximums; requests more data before seeking state approval

The Government Operations Committee on Monday, Sept. 23 discussed a staff request to seek state approval to increase municipal general assistance (GA) maximums so payments better match local costs of housing and other basic needs.

Jen Gunterman, Public Health and Community Services Director, told the committee that general assistance helps residents with housing, medications, food and other needs and that “one of the barriers…is that our maximum limits, which have been sort of reset as of October 1, it's just not meeting the needs of our community.” She said the request would ask the state to raise the overall maximum allowed for GA and that the city would still receive state reimbursement on a portion of amounts paid.

Staff said the typical reimbursement rate discussed was 70% from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for GA, and that the city is also pursuing two additional requests through the Maine Municipal Association (MMA): raising the reimbursement rate (a staff member said the city is asking to increase it from 70% to 90%) and allowing counties to administer GA rather than each municipality. Kat Parker, Community Services Manager, was noted as the staff member handling GA work.

Committee members pressed staff for numbers. One councillor asked for data on how many applicants exceed the current maximums, how much the city has paid beyond the cap, and whether the state places an absolute cap on total reimbursements. Gunterman said staff routinely exceed the statutory maximums to keep people housed and that she would provide additional information, including how frequently the city pays beyond the cap and the origin of applicants (Bangor residents versus those coming from other municipalities).

During discussion staff provided an example raised in the meeting: “I think right now, the maximum being proposed was, was it $9.26 overall for 1 For 1 person. 1 person for 1 bedroom. And we know that the the average rent is over a thousand, for example.” The transcript did not specify units or confirm whether the $9.26 figure referred to a per‑day, per‑week or other basis; committee members asked staff to clarify unit and calculation.

No committee vote was taken. Committee direction was to return with clearer data on the number of clients exceeding current maximums, the city’s unreimbursed amounts, origin of applicants, and any statutory caps on DHHS reimbursements. Staff also noted an existing policy that allows the city to seek contribution from other municipalities for people who come from outside Bangor, though the transcript records that inter-municipal cooperation can be uneven.

Committee members warned staff that the state or MMA might decline requests to raise reimbursement or restructure administration; one staff member said, “And there could be a very good chance that they say no.” The committee set no timeline for formal action and agreed to wait for the requested data before voting or forwarding a formal request to the state.

The committee did not provide dollar figures or a draft request to the state during the meeting; staff committed to follow up with the requested information at a future committee meeting.