[Ord. of 5-3-1994; amended in its entirety 5-3-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.29]
(a)Â
The
Municipality of Biddeford administers a program of general assistance
(GA) available to all persons who are eligible to receive assistance
in accordance with the standards of eligibility as provided within
this article, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) GA policy
and in 22 M.R.S.A. § 4301 et seq.
(b)Â
Every
effort will be made to recognize the dignity of the applicant while
encouraging self-reliance. The program will strive to help eligible
persons achieve self-maintenance by promoting the work incentive.
When possible, it will seek to alleviate needs other than financial
through rehabilitative, preventive and protective services. The general
assistance program will place no unreasonable restrictions on the
personal rights of the applicant or recipient, nor will there be any
unlawful discrimination based on sex, age, race, nationality, religion,
sexual orientation or disability. The municipality is committed to
including qualified individuals with disabilities in municipal services,
programs, and activities. As a result, the municipality will promote
a GA program that, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible
to and usable by individuals with disabilities. GA applicants with
physical or mental disabilities that require a reasonable accommodation
in order to access and/or utilize the municipal GA program are encouraged
to provide the municipality with advance notice regarding the accommodation
request.
(c)Â
The
General Assistance Administrator will act promptly on all applications
for assistance and requests for fair hearings. GA applicants will
be provided information regarding their rights and responsibilities
under the GA program. Within 24 hours of receiving an application,
the Administrator will provide the applicant a written decision, whether
or not assistance is granted, that will state the specific reasons
for the decision. The Administrator will also provide the applicant
written notice that the applicant may appeal to the municipal fair
hearing authority if dissatisfied with the decision. When an applicant
is determined to be eligible, assistance appropriate to the need will
be furnished within 24 hours after the completed application is submitted
except when the Administrator issues nonemergency assistance conditionally
on the successful completion of a workfare assignment.
(d)Â
The
Administrator will maintain complete and accurate records pertaining
to each applicant and recipient. These records are confidential as
a matter of law (see 22 MRSA §4306).
(e)Â
The
Administrator will post notice stating the day(s) and hours the Administrator
will be available. The Administrator, or other designated person/entity,
will be available to take applications in the event of an emergency
at all other times. A copy of this article and Maine General Assistance
law will be readily available to any member of the public upon request.[1] Notice to this effect will be posted.
[1]
Editor’s Note: A complete copy of this ordinance is
available in the City Clerk’s office and on the City of Biddeford
website.
