Session to explain DHHS applications
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Helping Hands with Heart (HHH) is hosting a two-hour learning session on June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at Mayo Regional Hospital in the Sebec Room. This learning session will be with Scott Cates, Office of Family Independence (OFI) and is designed to provide an opportunity for local residents to learn more about the electronic application for public benefits through Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine DHHS).
HHH is committed to ensuring that access for children, families and seniors who are eligible for public supports to protect against food insecurity, ensure access to healthcare, promote education and employment and the variety of supports (transportation, childcare, etc.) is available throughout our county and service area. We are working to reduce the barriers to these benefits and believe that, with these supports, the overall health and wellbeing of our neighbors and friends — and consequently, our county — will improve.
Piscataquis County is currently the only county in Maine with an “out-stationed” kiosk, placed at Penquis in Dover-Foxcroft, which permits residents to electronically apply for benefits and supports “on line.” We are finding that this kiosk, which is an ATM-like stand with computer and scanning abilities, has been minimally used by area residents. While we anticipate that one reason for this may be a lack of transportation to the Penquis office, the use of the electronic application is often a barrier for people in this region, as is the complex and sometimes confusing process.
Cates will review the application process and form with us, explain what documentation is needed on the part of the applicant, and answer questions. We are initiating a “Piscataquis Partners” effort to provide volunteers throughout our region who are willing and available to help our friends and neighbors in accessing appropriate and needed benefits.
Our goal for this session is to explain the process simply and help to create a greater support system for families and seniors in our region. Volunteers may help area residents assembled the documentation needed to support an initial or renewal application, or they may accompany the resident to the Penquis office to use the kiosk or help a Piscataquis County resident access the online application in their own community – perhaps at their local library, on other location with Internet access.
You can click on the site below and register for this session. Light refreshments will be provided and there is no cost for this session — https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/061915HHH Any questions? Please call 564-8245 or e-mail hhhpiscataquis@gmail.com.