Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Maine. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Maine)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Maine SHIP)
Maine's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, confidential, one-on-one Medicare help. It is sponsored by the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS), Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging, and Legal Services for Maine Elders. SHIP counselors help with Medicare plan comparisons, enrollment, Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans, Medigap, Medicare Savings Programs, and appeals.
Statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / SHIP line: 1-877-353-3771 This line connects you to the Area Agency on Aging serving your county. Office of Aging and Disability Services: (207) 287-9200 or 1-800-262-2232 Maine SHIP page: maine.gov/dhhs/oads (search SHIP and Medicare Assistance)
Medicaid in Maine
Maine's Medicaid program is called MaineCare, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Seniors age 65 and older and people who are blind or disabled may qualify based on income and assets, and sometimes a medical eligibility (level of care) determination. MaineCare covers long-term services and supports, including in-home care as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
How to apply: online through My Maine Connection (mymaineconnection.gov), or by phone at 1-855-797-4357. If you are 65 or older or have Medicare, your local Area Agency on Aging (1-877-353-3771) can help you complete the application, including in-home help if it is hard to leave your house.
MaineCare / DHHS Office for Family Independence: maine.gov/dhhs/ofi
Prescription help
Maine offers state help with drug costs through the Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly or Disabled (DEL) program, administered by MaineCare/DHHS, which helps qualifying older and disabled residents pay for certain prescriptions. Eligibility is based on age (62 or older, or 19 or older and determined disabled) and income.
Also available: Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that substantially reduces Part D prescription drug costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and additional savings.
Maine SHIP counselors (1-877-353-3771) can help you check DEL and Extra Help eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
Maine's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the state name for LIHEAP, helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs, including fuel assistance, emergency fuel delivery, and some energy-related repairs. HEAP is administered by MaineHousing and delivered through local Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies.
Timing: HEAP runs on a seasonal cycle. Applications for the next heating season are scheduled to begin August 3, 2026, with many CAP agencies starting to schedule appointments around July 1. Contact your local CAP agency directly to set up an in-person or phone appointment.
How to apply: through your regional Community Action Partnership agency. Find yours through MaineHousing at mainehousing.org (Programs and Services, then Energy) or by calling 211.
Property tax relief (Maine)
Note: Maine's Property Tax Stabilization Program for Senior Citizens (which briefly let some seniors freeze their property tax bill) was repealed by the Legislature in 2023 and is no longer available. It was replaced and the following programs are the current paths to relief:
Maine Property Tax Fairness Credit (PTFC): a refundable income tax credit for residents who paid property tax or rent on their Maine home. Per the official 2025 Maine Revenue Services Schedule PTFC instructions, the maximum credit is up to $2,000, or up to $4,000 if you are 65 years of age or older. To qualify at 65 or older, your 2025 total income generally must be under $102,500, and your property tax must exceed 4 percent of income (or rent must exceed 26.67 percent of income). Claim it by filing Maine Form 1040ME with Schedule PTFC, typically by the April income tax deadline. You can claim the PTFC even if you do not otherwise owe income tax.
Maine Homestead Exemption: reduces the taxable value of a permanent Maine resident's primary home by $25,000. You must have owned a home in Maine for the 12 months before you apply and declare the property your permanent residence. Apply with your municipal assessor by April 1.
State Property Tax Deferral Program: lets qualifying older or disabled homeowners postpone (defer) property tax payments, which the state pays to the town and the homeowner repays later (the deferred amount becomes a lien repaid when the home is sold or the owner passes). For applications filed after January 1, 2024, the household income limit is $80,000 and the liquid asset limit is $100,000 ($150,000 if two or more people own the home together). An applicant generally must be 65 or older (or unable to work due to disability) and file with Maine Revenue Services by April 1. Confirm the current limits with Maine Revenue Services before relying on them.
Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Relief Programs: maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs Maine Revenue Services Property Tax Division: (207) 624-5600
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Maine's aging network is coordinated by the Office of Aging and Disability Services and delivered through five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), reachable through the single statewide line.
Statewide Area Agency on Aging / ADRC line: 1-877-353-3771
Services available through the AAA network:
- Congregate meals at community sites and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
- In-home care, personal support, and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support
- Transportation help
- Long-term care ombudsman services
Legal aid: free legal help for Maine seniors age 60 and older is available through Legal Services for Maine Elders (LSE) at 1-800-750-5353 (mainelse.org). Pine Tree Legal Assistance (ptla.org) helps low-income Mainers of all ages. You can also reach legal help through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently asked questions
What is Maine's SHIP program? Maine's SHIP gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling, sponsored by the Office of Aging and Disability Services, the five Area Agencies on Aging, and Legal Services for Maine Elders. Reach it through the statewide line 1-877-353-3771. Counselors help with plan comparisons, enrollment, drug plans, Medigap, and Medicare Savings Programs.
Does Maine offer property tax relief for seniors? Yes, though the senior Property Tax Stabilization (freeze) program was repealed in 2023. The current options are the Property Tax Fairness Credit (a refundable income tax credit, up to $4,000 for those 65 and older per the 2025 instructions), the $25,000 Homestead Exemption applied through your municipal assessor, and the State Property Tax Deferral Program for qualifying older or disabled homeowners (household income limit $80,000 and liquid asset limit $100,000, or $150,000 for two or more owners, for applications filed after January 1, 2024). Confirm current figures with Maine Revenue Services.
How do Maine seniors get help with heating bills? Through HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), run by MaineHousing and delivered by local Community Action Partnership agencies. Applications for the next heating season are scheduled to open August 3, 2026, with appointment scheduling beginning around July 1. Contact your CAP agency or call 211.
How does a Maine senior apply for MaineCare (Medicaid)? Apply online through My Maine Connection (mymaineconnection.gov) or by phone at 1-855-797-4357. If you are 65 or older or have Medicare, your Area Agency on Aging (1-877-353-3771) can help, including at-home help with the application. MaineCare can cover in-home long-term care for those who qualify.
Sources
- Maine DHHS OADS, SHIP and Medicare Assistance: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/get-support/older-adults-disabilities/older-adult-services/ship-medicare-assistance (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine DHHS, MaineCare: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/health-care-assistance (Verified June 12, 2026)
- MaineHousing, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): https://mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energydetails/liheap (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Fairness Credit: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/income-tax-credits/property-tax-fairness-credit (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine Revenue Services, 2025 Schedule PTFC (max credit $2,000 / $4,000 for 65+): https://www.maine.gov/revenue/sites/maine.gov.revenue/files/inline-files/25_1040me_sch_ptfc_fillable.pdf (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Relief Programs (Stabilization repealed): https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs/stabilization-program (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Exemptions (Homestead $25,000): https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs/property-tax-exemptions (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine Revenue Services, State Property Tax Deferral Program ($80,000 income limit): https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs/deferral-program (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Maine DHHS, Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly or Disabled (DEL), 22 M.R.S. 254-D (age 62): https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec254-D.html (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Legal Services for Maine Elders: https://mainelse.org/ (Verified June 12, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.