Domestic Violence Resources and Safety for Single Mothers in Maine

Where to start if you are not sure what to do

Quick reference table

Protection from Abuse orders in Maine

A Protection from Abuse order, often called a PFA, is a civil court order. It may order the abusive person to stop abuse, stay away, leave a home, stop contact, follow temporary child-related terms, or follow other court-ordered limits. What the judge can order depends on the facts and Maine law.

You can ask for a protection order in person at a District Court or by email. The Maine Judicial Branch explains the current filing instructions. The official court forms page has protection from abuse packets, including email filing packets.

If the court gives a temporary order, a final hearing is usually set within 21 days of filing. Maine law says a final PFA order can last for a fixed period of up to two years, and the court may extend an order when the legal standard is met. Pine Tree Legal Assistance has plain-language PFA basics for first steps and common questions.

Housing, shelter, and staying housed

If you need to leave tonight, call the domestic violence helpline first. A local advocate can tell you about shelter, hotel options, transportation, safe pet options, and what to do if the shelter is full. You can also check MaineHousing’s emergency shelters page and call 211 for local shelter referrals.

If you rent, Maine has protections for tenants affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Pine Tree Legal Assistance explains renter rights, including what proof may help if a landlord is trying to evict you because of abuse, if you need to move early, or if you need to change locks.

General Assistance is a city or town program that may help with basic needs such as food, housing, temporary housing, fuel, utilities, prescriptions, and other essentials. Apply at your municipal office. If you cannot reach the office or have questions, Maine DHHS lists a General Assistance hotline at 1-800-442-6003.

For more topic-specific help, ASMOM has Maine pages for housing help, emergency help, and utility help.

Food, cash, health care, and child care after abuse

Leaving abuse can create fast money problems. You may need food, cash, health coverage, child care, diapers, gas, medicine, and a phone. Maine benefits are not domestic-violence-only programs, but they may help if your income, household, or living situation changed.

Use the Maine benefits portal to apply for or manage programs such as SNAP, TANF, MaineCare, Emergency Assistance, and SUN Bucks. You can also contact the Maine Office for Family Independence at 1-855-797-4357. If phone or online access is not safe, ask an advocate, library, clinic, school, or legal aid office about safer ways to apply.

The Maine Child Care Affordability Program can help eligible families pay part of child care costs. Maine DHHS says families usually have a sliding-scale copay and must use an approved provider. The official child care page explains provider choices and how the program works.

For children’s items, baby supplies, and postpartum support, see ASMOM pages for baby items and maternity support.

Child support, custody, and safety

Child support can help some families, but it can also create safety risks when the other parent is abusive. If you receive or apply for TANF, you may be asked to cooperate with child support rules. If cooperation could put you or your children in danger, ask about good cause because of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Maine DHHS lists a Good Cause form for TANF and Parents as Scholars when domestic violence or sexual assault affects participation. Pine Tree Legal also has a good cause form that explains when it may help. Ask an advocate or legal aid worker before giving unsafe contact details or making informal exchange plans.

For Maine-specific next steps, read ASMOM’s child support page and legal help page.

Address privacy, work leave, and crime-related costs

Keeping your address private

Maine’s Address Confidentiality Program is run by the Secretary of State. It gives eligible participants a designated address and free first-class mail forwarding after they have moved to a location unknown to the abuser. The state says the address program is for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and that trained experts help decide whether it fits the situation.

Taking time off work

Maine law requires public and private employers to grant reasonable and necessary leave, with or without pay, for certain needs tied to violence, including court, medical treatment, or services to address a crisis caused by domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The work leave law also lists exceptions, so ask legal aid or the Maine Department of Labor if your employer refuses leave or retaliates.

Costs after a crime

The Maine Crime Victims’ Compensation Program may reimburse some uninsured losses after a violent crime, including certain medical, dental, counseling, lost income, lock repair, and security-device costs. The Attorney General’s victims compensation page explains who can apply, what costs may be covered, and deadlines.

Documents and information to gather if it is safe

Do not risk your safety to collect papers. If you can safely gather copies, these items may help with court, shelter, benefits, housing, and school changes.

• Your ID, children’s birth certificates, Social Security numbers, immigration papers if relevant, and health insurance cards.
• Any court orders, police reports, medical records, photos of injuries or damage, messages, emails, voicemails, or call logs.
• Lease, utility bills, eviction papers, lock-change receipts, shelter letters, or landlord notices.
• Pay stubs, benefit letters, EBT card, bank information, child care bills, school letters, and proof of changed household income.
• A safe phone number, safe email, and safe mailing address that the abusive person cannot access.

For mental health support and medical access after abuse, ASMOM also has Maine pages on mental health help and special-needs support.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using an unsafe phone or email. Use a safe device when you can. The National DV Hotline warns that internet use can be monitored.
• Moving without asking about housing rights. If you rent, ask an advocate or legal aid about the safest way to give notice, change locks, or respond to eviction papers.
• Ignoring court dates. A temporary order is not the same as a final order. Missing a hearing can change what protection remains in place.
• Assuming benefits will update automatically. If your household, address, income, or expenses changed, contact the benefit office and keep proof of your report.
• Starting child support without a safety plan. Ask about good cause if cooperation could increase risk.