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Winter Tips

Many people may have arrived during COVID and may not have had anyone in their homes to review our best winter practice.  It’s important for people to learn how to live in Maine in the winter – both to keep warm as well as understand how to be good tenants.  Even if they might currently live in a place where their heat is included – this information will be important for the future. Please share with any New Mainers you might know.

  1. If people have storm windows, they should make sure they are securely closed.  Check to make sure top and bottom windows are all the way up and down and then locked because even a small opening creates a draft.

  2. If they don’t lock, they should just make sure they are closed and they can put duct tape if it they feel a draft

  3. If they have any sunlight, they can open the blinds or curtains during the day to get natural heat

  4. If they have baseboard heat, make sure no furniture or other items are blocking the front of the heater because the heat won’t circulate

  5. It is best to place beds on an inside wall and if not possible, as far from the window as possible.

  6. If they have direct vent heat, either a Monitor or Rinnai – remind people that they need to leave all bedroom and bathroom doors open to get heat in all the rooms.

  7. Before getting a space heater, understand they can trip breakers and they also use a LOT of electricity which is usually over the GA budget (or costs a lot of money if not on GA).

  8. Sometimes people need an explanation of how a thermostat works – that the heat cycles on and off.  People often complain that their heat isn’t working when it just shuts off when it reaches the set temperature. (though many apartments do not allow tenants the ability to control the temperature, in which case, they are stuck learning to dress for warmly!)

  9. It’s always helpful to give examples of how in cold climates we tend to layer both when outside and inside. If you’re cold, instead of turning up the heat, add layers – especially warm socks and/or slippers. Some Mainers wear long underwear every day in the winter, and many of us sleep in heavy socks!!

Other Tips…

Electric Bill Issues

  • If your mentee has an electric bill that exceeds the GA limit ($99 at the time of this entry), WTS has a critical needs funds – you can request up to $100 for a one time need.

  • If your mentee has had their power cut off or their bill has been sent to collections, complain directly to CMP to make sure they’ve done it fairly.

Tips on How to Stay Warm
Many mentees are from much warmer climates and getting used to the cold takes some time and learning how to adapt requires mentoring. We have had to help our mentees learn the “tricks” of staying warm and the economic and environmental benefits of using heat efficiently.

Keeping warm inside the house

  • Wearing heavy socks, slippers, long sleeves, sweaters and hoodies, leggings under pants, wrapping up in a blanket while watching tv and studying

  • Cutting drafts by putting a rolled towel or one of those stuffed snake/noodle things at bottom of outside doors

  • Making sure windows are closed tight and latches sealed (especially important for insulated windows).

  • Window plastic weatherization

Keeping warm outside the house

  • Importance of layering, even under winter coats and snow pants

  • Mittens are often warmer than gloves

  • Wearing boots – a plastic bread bag over socks inside boot can keep feet dryer and warmer

  • Wearing 2 pairs of socks under boots

  • Hats and scarves

Saving on heating money

  • Make sure they understand that the more heat, the more cost. This case be a problem if they have a “heat included” rental agreement, because they won’t see the effect of cranking the heat all the way up. If they have “heat included” agreement then you should tell them the max temp is 74.

  • Make sure they understand that the cost of electricity to power the heat and the hot water is expensive vs. the power used for computers or phones.

Read more about rental laws.

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Utilities

Electricity

Asylum Seekers & New Customer Accounts at Central Maine Power CMP: 800-750-4000
To set up an account, you’ll need:

  1. Your date of birth, and

  2. The “A” number on the documents you received when you entered the U.S. – OR – your passport number

 

  • You are not required to pay a security deposit to open a new customer account.

  • You are not required to provide two forms of photo I.D

  • General Assistance is considered a form of income like any other voucher program for asylum seekers (like TANF, SSI, SSDI, etc.) because immigration and federal laws prohibit working for a period of time.

  • You may need to explain that you are an asylum seeker.

Internet Access

Comcast/Xfinity has a low-cost internet program called Internet Essentials - $9.95/month for WiFi only ( no cable TV).

Spectrum Internet Assist and is available only for adults who can show proof of their child receiving free school meals, or adults over 65 who can show proof of receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or SS Disability Income (SSDI). There is no activation fee nor any contracts to sign. Billing begins 3-4 weeks after installation of the Spectrum modem that is provided at no cost and which can be self installed if the apartment is already wired for cable access. A prepayment of $14.99 is required for the first month’s service.

Remittance Form

Detailed Instructions

Television Access

To get FREE television reception (i.e., no need to pay for cable), once you have a digital-ready TV (it’d be hard to find one that isn’t), all you need to do is get a digital antenna, such as this one from Amazon ($9.99). You simply hook it up to the coaxial input and use the TV’s menu to do a “channel search” and Bob’s your uncle. There are at least a dozen channels available, including ABC, NBC and CBS.

Read more about rental laws.

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Furniture

Furniture Friends
Warehouse Address:
15 Saunders Way
Loading Dock 500 D
Westbrook, ME 04098
207-210-5797

Free, gently used furniture. Families must be referred by a case manager or social service provider. They have requested requested that all referrals from Welcoming the Stranger come through Jill Epstein. Following is the information I will need from you if you want me to make a referral for your mentee:

  1. Mentee’s full name and address including zip code. Mentee’s phone number and whether he/she can receive texts.

  2. If you are planning to coordinate and want Furniture Friends to contact you rather than your mentee I will also need your preferred contact info (cell phone for call or text or preferred email address)

  3. Number of people in the household

  4. Number of people under 18

  5. What items they are looking for and how many of each they need (you can see a list of what donations they accept here)

  6. Do you want the furniture delivered or will you arrange to pick it up at their Westbrook warehouse?

A couple of other things to note-

If you are requesting more than just beds, Furniture Friends will schedule a time to come out to do an assessment of the apartment. Also, if your mentee lives at 132 Bayside, Furniture Friends says they cannot deliver beds there. Those apartments are furnished and they can’t take out, or the client can’t get rid of, something that’s the property of the landlord.

Making it Home 
207-233-0590
Gently used furniture, appliances, linens and household goods

Neighbors in Need (Closed Facebook Group)
All sorts of items, new. Items move quickly. Mentors post what they need or what they have.

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Access

Click here for ways to deal with housing problems (legal)

Portland Housing Authority
14 Baxter Blvd.
207-773-4753

Maine State Housing Authority
353 Water Street, Augusta
207-626-4600

Avesta Housing
307 Cumberland Avenue
207-553-7777

Housing and Employment Center
96 Lancaster Street
207-775-7911

Westbrook Housing Authority
30 Liza Harmon Drive, Westbrook
207-854-9779

South Portland Housing Authority
100 Waterman Drive, Suite 101, South Portland
207-773-4140

Hope Gateway/Hope House
185 High Street
207-899-2435

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Paying for Healthcare

Health Coverage

Maine Equal Justice is the best resource for up-to-date information about health insurance and health care options for people with low- or no incomes and/ or noncitizen status

Mainecare

  • Maine’s medicaid program - free health insurance for those who qualify

  • Administered through DHHS - apply online

  • Eligibility information - Maine children under 21, regardless of immigration status, qualify if their household meets the income guidelines

Community Free Clinic

Portland has a free clinic for uninsured low-income adults who live in Cumberland County

“Free Care” and similar programs

Large healthcare providers in Maine have their own income-dependent programs for patients who cannot pay. People with no income should be able to get essential healthcare at no cost (except the cost of paperwork and time!!). Free Care is the name of the program at MaineHealth, other providers have their own version.

If someone receives a medical bill they can’t pay, DO NOT IGNORE IT but also DON’T PANIC! Call the number on the bill and explain you/ they have no money. Be prepared to sit on hold and jump through some hoops to prove income eligibility, but often the bill can be erased or reduced or at least a payment plan arranged. Don’t ignore it, or it will go to collections and become a bigger problem!

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