Covid -19 Maine Information

When should self-employed begin filing for unemployment? Will not start until April 10th at the earliest. According to the Maine Department of Labor, “MDOL requires guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor in order to implement the new programs. MDOL continues to press for that guidance and once it is received, will implement the system changes. Claims filed will be processed retroactively to the dates in the law.” 

“Until then, the Department urges Maine people who would be eligible under these programs to wait to file until they are in place. Filing now will result in a denial of benefits when those applying, in fact, deserve the benefit. MDOL wants every Mainer to receive the benefits for which they are eligible during this difficult time. MDOL posts all information as it is received on its social media pages and website and Maine people are encouraged to view those pages for updates.”
45,000 Maine workers have filed new unemployment claims over the past two weeks --- these numbers do not include self-employed.
“Self-employed workers languish as Maine awaits federal guidance on unemployment program”. Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News. April 6, 2020. http://bangordailynews.com/2020/04/06/politics/self-employed-workers-languish-as-maine-awaits-federal-guidance-on-unemployment-program/
When will I get my $1,200 check? The IRS expects to start sending an initial wave of economic stimulus payments, worth up to $1,200 apiece, to some 60 million Americans the week of April 13, but it could take up to five months for the payments to land in the mailboxes of millions of other people who have to be paid by check.
Taxpayers in the first wave have direct deposit information on file with the IRS from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns. Paper checks would start going out in May to people who don't have direct deposit information on file with the IRS, which includes nearly 100 million Americans. About 5 million checks will be sent weekly, and it could take up to 20 weeks to distribute all of them.
People with the lowest incomes will get their checks first.
When should I call the Department of Labor? After receiving an unprecedented number of unemployment claims due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) announced a new alphabetical-by-last-name call-in schedule for Maine people filing for unemployment benefits. The new schedule will help reduce phone line congestion as the Department ramps up its capacity to receive and process claims. 
Starting Monday, April 6
Maine people seeking to file for unemployment by calling the 800 number with last names beginning with:
A-H should call on Monday; I-Q on Tuesday; R-Z on Wednesday. 
Thursday and Friday will be left unassigned for those who miss their alphabetical day or need to call at that time. Please see the press release attached and feel free to spread this news far and wide.
In light of the unprecedented high claim volume, the Department of Labor recommends that people file their claims online with a computer as opposed to a smart phone and do so in the evening when internet traffic is less. Those who are unable to connect with a claims representative by calling 1-800-593-7660 before 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday should submit a message at www.maine.gov/labor/contact. 
To apply for unemployment:www.maine.gov/unemployment1-800-593-7660 between 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday
For password resets and basic questions through a CareerCenter: https://www.mainecareercenter.gov/locations/index.shtml
Signing up for SNAP & TANF
To keep DHHS employees and clients safe and healthy - clients have been encouraged to fill out and submit applications and reviews for programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and MaineCare online through MyMaineConnection. Paperwork may be submitted via fax, email or postal carrier. Clients are strongly encouraged to sign-up for paperless noticing through MyMaineConnection to decrease delays in delivery of critical benefit updates. Individuals may also call the toll-free number at 1 (855) 797-4357 for assistance, agents are available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.