§4304. General assistance offices








1. Local office. 
There must be in each municipality a general assistance office or designated place
where any person may apply for general assistance at regular, reasonable times designated
by the municipal officers. Notice must be posted of these times, the name of the
overseer available to take applications in an emergency at all other times, the fact
that the municipality must issue a written decision on all applications within 24
hours and the department's toll-free telephone number for reporting alleged violations
in accordance with section 4321.


[
1991, c. 209, §1 (AMD)
.]








2. District office. 
In situations where in the judgment of a municipality the number of applicants does
not justify the establishment of a local office or designated place, or where for
other reasons a local office or designated place is not necessary, 2 or more municipalities,
by a vote of their respective legislative bodies, may establish a district office
for the administration of general assistance and make agreements as to the payment
of expenses and any other matters relevant to the operation of the office.


Any district office established pursuant to this subsection shall be located so as
to be accessible by a toll-free telephone call from any part of every municipality
it is designated to serve.


Every district general assistance officer shall be available for the taking of applications
at least 35 hours each week and shall make provision for designated personnel to be
available to take applications in an emergency 24 hours a day.


[
1983, c. 577, §1 (NEW)
.]








3. Emergencies. 
In any case when an applicant is unable, due to illness, disability, lack of transportation,
lack of child care or other good cause, to apply in person for assistance or unable
to appoint a duly authorized representative, the overseer shall accept an application
by telephone subject to verification by mail and a visit to the applicant's home with
the consent of the applicant. Municipalities may arrange with emergency shelters
for the homeless to presume eligible for municipal assistance persons to whom the
emergency shelter provides shelter services.


[
1989, c. 322, §2 (AMD)
.]





SECTION HISTORY

1983, c. 577, §1 (NEW).
1989, c. 322, §2 (AMD).
1989, c. 699, (AMD).
1991, c. 209, §1 (AMD).