4 months ago
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- While it feels as though the recession is finally turning a corner, good paying jobs are still at a premium here in Maine. Just ask the thousands of Mainers who were laid off in the last few years, and who still haven't recovered. Many of them are still relying on the state's welfare programs, and it's putting a strain on the budgets of many towns and cities. Theresa Salinas is on general assistance in Portland. It pays her rent, and helps her with the basics each month. In turn, she's required to put in a certain number of hours at non-profit agencies and attend mock job interviews. It's known as workfare... something Lewiston and Bangor both have too.
Salinas has applied for more than 60 jobs over the last few months and has posted her resume online. She's more than willing to work, but is restricted by the bus route. General assistance, otherwise known as welfare, is a last resort... a safety net. That means, people in the program have run out of savings, retirement benefits, and truly have nothing left. Each year, the state budgets nearly 6-million dollars for the fund, but ends up spending more than 7-million. Towns and cities are required to offer GA to those who need it... in turn, the state will reimburse them up to 50%, sometimes up to 90%, depending on the need. Lewiston officials say over the years they've seen about 21% more people apply for general assistance. In Portland, they've seen a 40% increase. Both places say the demographics are changing too... they've seen more people apply with an extensive working background. The Department of Labor says that many people who have run out of unemployment benefits end up turning to GA when they still can't find a job.
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