How to Apply for TANF in Maine

Maine's Office for Family Independence gives applicants five separate ways to apply for TANF — online, by mail, by email, by fax, or in person at a district office — rather than pushing everyone toward one portal. Once enrolled, families are also routed into related supports like ASPIRE for job training or Parents as Scholars for parents working toward a college degree, so TANF in Maine functions as an entry point into a wider set of employment programs.

Updated August 2026

1. 1

   Confirm you may be eligible

   TANF is generally for families with dependent children living in the home and for pregnant individuals; My Maine Connection has a prescreening tool if you want to check first.

2. 2

   Choose how to apply

   Apply online through My Maine Connection, download and mail a paper application to the Office for Family Independence at 114 Corn Shop Lane, Farmington, ME 04938, email it to Farmington.DHHS@Maine.gov, fax it to (207) 778-8429, or apply in person at a district office.

3. 3

   Call with questions

   Reach the Office for Family Independence at 1-855-797-4357, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and select the TANF line option when prompted.

4. 4

   Get connected to ASPIRE

   Once approved, you'll typically be referred to Fedcap Families for an ASPIRE orientation, where staff build a Career Plan (Family Contract Amendment) covering job search, training, and support needs like child care or transportation.

5. 5

   Look into related TANF programs if they fit

   Depending on your situation you may also qualify for Parents as Scholars (a monthly benefit for parents in a degree program), Alternative Aid Assistance for short-term employment expenses, or TANF Transitional Child Care and Transportation benefits after you leave TANF.

Verified against the official Maine TANF agency site. View source