Domestic Violence and Abuse Help & Safety Resources for Single Mothers in Maine

Last updated: September 2025

Quick Emergency Help

• If you are in immediate danger: Call 911 and, if safe, say “domestic violence”; officers can stay until it’s safe and help you get to a safe place. (courts.informe.org)
• Maine’s 24/7 Domestic Abuse Helpline: 1-866-834-HELP (4357). For Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-800-437-1220. Free, confidential, and connects you to your local Domestic Violence Resource Center. (mcedv.org)
• Statewide Sexual Assault Support Helpline (24/7): 1-800-871-7741 for free, confidential advocacy. (mecasa.org)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7): 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. (thehotline.org)
• Find any local service fast: Dial 211 in Maine, out‑of‑state 1-877-463-6207, or text your ZIP to 898-211 for a live specialist. (211maine.org)

Quick Action Box

• Most urgent step: Ask for a temporary Protection From Abuse order today. You can file in person or by email; a judge can issue a same‑day temporary order if you’re in immediate and present danger. Hearing for a final order is set within 21 days. Use the court’s “Protection From Abuse” packets and the email filing instructions. (courts.maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov)
• Need a safe address: The Maine Address Confidentiality Program gives you a legal substitute address and free mail forwarding. Call 207-626-8400 to enroll through an advocate. (maine.gov)
• Worried about rent, heat, food, or cash: Apply for SNAP, TANF, WIC, and HEAP right away; expedited SNAP may arrive in 7 days if you qualify. Use My Maine Connection or call 1-855-797-4357 for OFI help. (maine.gov)
• Legal help and forms: Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) has step‑by‑step PFA guides and statewide contact lines. Start here and call PTLA at 207-774-8211 during call‑in hours. (ptla.org, ptla.org)
• Not sure what to do next: Call the Maine DV Helpline 1-866-834-4357 and tell the advocate what you need today (shelter, safety planning, court help, kids, money, housing). (mcedv.org)

Hotlines and Priority Contacts

Safety Planning That Works Today

• Talk to an advocate now at 1-866-834-4357 for a quick safety plan tailored to where you sleep tonight, how you’ll get kids to school, and what you’ll do if your ex shows up. Advocates can also help you prepare for court, landlord issues, and child exchanges. (mcedv.org)
• Use the court’s email filing option if travel is unsafe. The Judicial Branch provides fillable PFA packets and the list of regional filing emails; a judge can review the same day. (courts.maine.gov)
• Save key documents (IDs, kids’ birth certificates, protective orders, lease, EBT card) in a go‑bag or encrypted cloud folder. If that’s not safe, leave copies with someone you trust or with your advocate.
• Digital safety: Use a device your abuser can’t access when searching or calling; the National DV Hotline explains safe browsing and quick‑exit features. (thehotline.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask an advocate to set up “code words” and third‑party calls to the helpline if you can’t safely call yourself. If roads or courts are closed, email filing is still allowed and the courthouse can tell you when a judge will review your request. (courts.maine.gov)

Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders in Maine

Most important action: File for a temporary order immediately. A judge may issue an ex parte temporary order the day you file if there’s “immediate and present danger.” A final hearing is scheduled within 21 days of filing. (legislature.maine.gov)

• Where to file: Your local District Court, or by email using the court’s PFA packet and regional email addresses. Forms are on the Maine Judicial Branch website. Paper packets are at any District Court. (courts.maine.gov)
• Cost: There is no fee to file a PFA, and you should not be charged for law enforcement to serve your PFA papers. Small‑claims PFA/PFH booklets are free. (ptla.org, casetext.com)
• Hearing timeline: Final hearing within 21 days after filing; courts can continue the date if needed. (legislature.maine.gov)
• Help filling forms: Call 1-866-834-4357 for a DV advocate or 1-800-871-7741 for a sexual assault advocate to help you complete and file, including by email. (courts.maine.gov)
• What a PFA can do: Order the abuser to stop abuse, stay away from home/work/school, grant you temporary custody/parental rights and financial support, and include firearms restrictions as ordered by the court. See the statutes and Pine Tree’s plain‑language guide. (legislature.maine.gov, ptla.org)

Table — Maine PFA Process at a Glance

Common mistakes to avoid: Leaving addresses or school info visible if you fear location disclosure—ask about the Confidential Address Affidavit and ACP. Not including financial or custody requests you need in the PFA—ask the clerk or an advocate before filing. (womenslaw.org, maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: If the judge doesn’t grant a temporary order, you still get a final hearing within 21 days; stay in close touch with an advocate and law enforcement until then. If service is delayed, call the clerk to check “proof of service” status and ask law enforcement about attempts. (ptla.org)

Housing Rights and Staying Housed

Most important action: Use Maine’s survivor‑protective housing laws now.

• You can’t be evicted just for abuse incidents or for calling police. Maine law forbids eviction based on incidents of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. (mainelegislature.org)
• End a lease early without penalty when there’s DV, SA, or stalking: 7 days’ notice for leases under a year; 30 days for leases of a year or more, with simple documentation (advocate letter, protection order, police report, etc.). You are not liable for unpaid rent after you leave under this law. (mainelegislature.org, law.justia.com)
• Change the locks at your expense and give your landlord a key within 72 hours; this is allowed for DV survivors. (legislature.maine.gov)
• Get address protection through Maine’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). Call 207-626-8400. (maine.gov)
• Emergency rent/utility help: Ask your city/town for General Assistance (GA). If you can’t reach your local GA office, call the GA hotline 1-800-442-6003. (maine.gov)

Table — Your Housing Rights Under Maine Law

Common mistakes to avoid: Moving out without written notice under the statute; not keeping a copy of your notice and documentation; not returning keys. If the landlord pushes back, share the statute section above and ask Pine Tree Legal Assistance for help. (ptla.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Call 211 or your DV advocate to find short‑term shelter or motel options; ask your city/town GA for emergency hotel vouchers if needed; if denied, ask for a written decision and appeal. (211maine.org, maine.gov)

Money Help Fast (Food, Cash, Heat, and Baby Essentials)

Food — SNAP (Food Supplement)

• Max monthly amounts (FY 2025) for the 48 states including Maine: 1 person $292\ast \ast ,2\ast \ast$536, 3 $768\ast \ast ,4\ast \ast$975, 5 $1,158\ast \ast ,6\ast \ast$1,390, 7 $1,536\ast \ast ,8\ast \ast$1,756; add $220 per extra person. (fns.usda.gov, everycrsreport.com)
• Expedited SNAP: If your income and cash on hand are very low, you may qualify for benefits within 7 days. Apply online via My Maine Connection or call OFI at 1-855-797-4357; an interview is required (phone or in person). (maine.gov)
• How to apply: Online application, mail/email/fax, phone, or in person at DHHS offices. Keep your phone nearby for the interview call from 1-855-797-4357. (maine.gov)

Cash — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

• New 2025 maximum TANF grants (Adult Included) per month: 1 $425\ast \ast ,2\ast \ast$669, 3 $895\ast \ast ,4\ast \ast$1,127, 5 $1,352\ast \ast ,6\ast \ast$1,580, 7 $1,811\ast \ast ,8\ast \ast$2,040. Special‑Need Housing households add $300 to these figures. (Child‑Only grants are lower; see chart.) (maine.gov)
• Alternative Aid: One‑time help up to 3× your family’s monthly grant to get/keep a job (for example, a family of 3 may receive up to $2,685). Available once per 12 months. (legislature.maine.gov)
• How to apply: My Maine Connection, mail/email/fax, phone 1-855-797-4357, or in person. Ask about ASPIRE, Parents as Scholars (PaS), and Transitional Child Care/Transportation for work. (maine.gov)

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

• Monthly fruit/vegetable benefit (CVB) through Sept 30, 2025: children $26\ast \ast ,pregnant/postpartum\ast \ast$47, fully/mostly breastfeeding $52. You can use CVB at authorized stores and many farmers’ markets. (fns.usda.gov, maine.gov)

Heat and Utilities — HEAP (LIHEAP)

• Program year dates: For 2025–2026, HEAP applications began August 1, 2025 and run until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2026. Crisis fuel (ECIP) runs Nov 1, 2025 – Apr 30, 2026. Apply early via your Community Action Agency (CAA). (mainehousing.org)
• Income limits (2025–26 example): Household of 3 may qualify up to about $59,504 per year (gross), with medical/child support deductions possible. See the full chart on MaineHousing. (mainehousing.org)
• Waitlists happen: In spring 2025, MaineHousing moved to a HEAP waitlist when funds were nearly 70% committed—apply as soon as the window opens. (mainehousing.org)

Table — Money Help Snapshot and Where to Apply

Common mistakes to avoid: Missing your SNAP interview call; not reporting zero income; not asking for expedited SNAP; waiting until winter to apply for HEAP; assuming TANF requires cooperation with child support when it’s unsafe—ask for a “good cause” DV waiver. (maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Call 211 to locate local food pantries and fuel funds, and ask your municipality about General Assistance vouchers for food, utilities, and temporary housing. (211maine.org, maine.gov)

Child Support Safety: Good‑Cause Waivers

Most important action: If you fear harm from pursuing child support or naming the other parent, tell your TANF worker you want a “good cause” waiver due to domestic violence. DHHS may waive cooperation and will not penalize you if they find good cause. Contact DSER’s Case Initiation at 207-624-4100 for general child support help, and see DHHS’s guidance on good cause. (maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask an advocate to help you submit Pine Tree Legal’s Good Cause Verification Form and escalate through your TANF worker’s supervisor. (ptla.org)

Keep Your Location Private: Maine Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

• What it does: Gives you a legal substitute address and free first‑class mail forwarding so your home address stays out of public records. Enrollment happens through trained application assistants at DV/SA agencies across Maine. ACP phone: 207-626-8400. (maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your DV advocate to draft a Confidential Address Affidavit for the court and use the court’s confidential information procedures; also consider a P.O. Box and safety steps for school/medical records. (womenslaw.org)

Maine Crime Victims’ Compensation: Help With Costs After a Crime

• What’s covered: Unreimbursed medical and counseling costs, lost wages, security devices/lock replacement, crime scene cleanup. Burial up to $4,500\ast \ast plus\ast \ast$500 for a marker. Total awards usually up to $15,000. (maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov)
• How to apply: Call the Maine Victims’ Compensation Program at (207) 624-7882 or (800) 903-7882. Apply within 3 years of the crime (exceptions for minors/good cause). (maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: If insurance delays are blocking you, apply anyway—this is a payer of last resort and can coordinate payments. Ask an advocate or victim‑witness office to help with your application. (maine.gov)

Your Rights at Work

• Employment leave for victims: Maine law requires all employers to grant “reasonable and necessary” leave—paid or unpaid—to go to court, get medical care, or obtain services to address a DV crisis for you or your child/parent/spouse. Employers who deny leave can face penalties. (legisweb0.mainelegislature.org, legislature.maine.gov)
• Earned Paid Leave: Most Maine employers with >10 employees must provide up to 40 hours per year of paid leave you can use for any reason, including emergencies. Accrues at 1 hour per 40 hours worked; up to 40 hours may carry over. (maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Document requests in writing. If you’re denied leave or retaliated against, contact the Maine Department of Labor or seek legal help. (maine.gov)

Maine’s Domestic Violence Landscape (Why acting early matters)

• Maine’s Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel reported that in 2022, 17 of 31 homicides were domestic‑abuse‑related. State Police list 53 homicides in 2023, with at least 10 domestic, not counting the Lewiston mass violence event. Funding strains for DV services have been reported nationally, so call early and be persistent. (mainepublic.org, maine.gov, time.com)

Local Domestic Violence Resource Centers (by coverage area)

Use the statewide DV Helpline 1-866-834-4357 (Deaf/HoH 1-800-437-1220) to connect to your local center, or visit “Find Help” for direct lines and shelter availability. (mcedv.org)

• Aroostook County — Hope & Justice Project
• Hancock & Washington — NextStep Domestic Violence Project
• Penobscot & Piscataquis — Partners for Peace
• Waldo, Knox, Lincoln & Sagadahoc — New Hope Midcoast
• Kennebec & Somerset — Family Violence Project
• Cumberland — Through These Doors
• Oxford, Franklin & Androscoggin — Safe Voices
• York — Caring Unlimited
• Statewide culturally specific — Her Safety Net and Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM)

Find the most current phone lines for each program: Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence’s “Get Help” page. (mcedv.org)

Diverse Communities

• LGBTQ+ single mothers: Ask any DVRC for affirming services. VA Maine’s IPVAP and the National DV Hotline both support LGBTQ+ survivors. If you face discrimination with housing or services, call PTLA for help. (va.gov, thehotline.org)
• Single mothers with disabilities or disabled children: Ask Disability Rights Maine about accommodations and advocacy alongside your DV plan. DVRCs can arrange ASL interpreters and work with the state’s Division for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. DRM contact options are on their site; DDHHLD contacts include voice 207-623-7958 and VP 207-470-7668. (drme.org, maine.gov)
• Veteran single mothers: VA Maine’s IPV Assistance Program coordinates confidential support, safety planning, and connections to shelters. The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services can help with benefits; main line 207-287-7020. (va.gov, www1.maine.gov)
• Immigrant, refugee, and asylum‑seeking single moms: Ask Her Safety Net and the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine for culturally and linguistically specific advocacy and group support. Maine WIC and DVRCs provide free interpretation. (hersafetynet.org, mcedv.org)
• Tribal citizens: Wabanaki Women’s Coalition lists five Tribal DV/SA programs with 24/7 lines (for example, Maliseet 207-532-6401; Indian Township Passamaquoddy 207-214-1917; Penobscot Nation 207-631-4886). Call the Maine DV Helpline for direct connections. (wabanakiwomenscoalition.org)
• Rural single moms: If shelters are full or far, ask for hotel/mileage or flexible safety plans. Use 211 and your municipal General Assistance for stopgap help. (211maine.org, maine.gov)
• Single fathers: DVRCs and hotlines serve all genders; call 1-866-834-4357 for the same services. (mcedv.org)
• Language access: All statewide lines can arrange interpreters. Maine WIC, SNAP, and courts provide interpretation at no cost on request. (maine.gov)

Regional Quick Links Table

Legal and Court Tools You Can Use Today

• Email filing: Use the Judicial Branch’s PFA “For Email Filing” packet and send to your region’s listed email. (courts.maine.gov)
• Self‑help forms: The court’s “Form Packets” page has PFA and PH packets with instructions. (courts.maine.gov)
• eFileMaine: Not required for self‑represented emergency PFA cases, but attorneys must use it. (courts.maine.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: If email filing bounces or you can’t access a printer, call your local court clerk for options or ask a DV advocate to help submit. (courts.maine.gov)

Application Checklist (bring or snap photos)

• Photo ID and your child(ren)’s birth certificates if handy
• Any police reports, medical notes, or photos of injuries/damage
• Lease/utility bills if applying for GA or housing help
• Proof of income/expenses for SNAP/TANF/HEAP (pay stubs, EBT card, rent/childcare receipts)
• Court papers (past PFAs, custody orders)
• Safe contact phone/email you can access

Ask for free language access and disability accommodations at all agencies and courts. (maine.gov)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting to apply for SNAP/HEAP/TANF—deadlines and funds are time‑sensitive; apply now and update later. (mainehousing.org)
• Not asking for expedited SNAP in 7 days when you have very low income/cash. (maine.gov)
• Leaving out custody/child support requests in your PFA when you need them—add them in your complaint packet. (courts.maine.gov)
• Moving out without using 14 M.R.S. §6001(6) to terminate your lease with 7 or 30 days’ notice. (mainelegislature.org)
• Not using the Address Confidentiality Program or court confidential address options when location safety is critical. (maine.gov, womenslaw.org)

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

• PFA temporary order: possible same day; final hearing within 21 days. Free to file; service is free. (legislature.maine.gov, ptla.org)
• SNAP maximum (4 people): $975/mo; ask for expedited in 7 days if you qualify. (fns.usda.gov, maine.gov)
• TANF family of 3 (Adult Included): $895/mo\ast \ast plus\ast \ast$300 housing supplement if eligible; Alternative Aid up to 3× grant. (maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov)
• WIC CVB: $26\ast \ast child;\ast \ast$47 pregnant/postpartum; $52 breastfeeding. (fns.usda.gov)
• HEAP 2025–26: applications opened Aug 1, 2025; apply early. (mainehousing.org)
• Maine DV Helpline (24/7): 1-866-834-4357; Deaf/HoH 1-800-437-1220. (mcedv.org)

FAQs (Maine‑specific)

1. How fast can I get a PFA: A judge can grant a temporary order the day you file if there’s immediate danger. Final hearing within 21 days. (legislature.maine.gov)
2. Is there a fee for a PFA: No filing fee; service by law enforcement is free. (ptla.org, casetext.com)
3. Can I file a PFA by email: Yes—use the “For Email Filing” packet and send to your region’s email address listed by the Judicial Branch. (courts.maine.gov)
4. What if shelters are full: Call 1-866-834-4357 for motel or alternative safety planning. Ask your town for General Assistance emergency housing vouchers and call 211. (mcedv.org, maine.gov)
5. Can I break my lease due to abuse: Yes—with 7 or 30 days’ notice and simple documentation. You are not liable for unpaid rent after you leave under this statute. (mainelegislature.org)
6. How much SNAP could I get: Depends on income and household size; a 3‑person household’s maximum is $768/mo (FY 2025). Ask for expedited if you qualify. (fns.usda.gov)
7. How much TANF would I get: Example—family of 3 (Adult Included) $895/mo\ast \ast ;one‑time\ast \ast AlternativeAidupto3\times \ast \ast yourgrant.Special‑NeedHousingadds\ast \ast$300. (maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov)
8. What does WIC give monthly for fruits/veggies: $26\ast \ast (child),\ast \ast$47 (pregnant/postpartum), $52 (fully/mostly breastfeeding) through Sept 30, 2025. (fns.usda.gov)
9. Can I take time off work for court/medical: Yes—Maine law requires “reasonable and necessary” leave for DV victims; Maine’s Earned Paid Leave adds up to 40 hours paid leave per year for many workers. (legisweb0.mainelegislature.org, maine.gov)
10. What if pursuing child support puts us at risk: Ask TANF for a good‑cause waiver so you aren’t forced to cooperate if it’s unsafe. (legislature.maine.gov)

About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team: We use only official sources and established nonprofits, verify links at publication, archive key references, and track policy changes. See our Editorial Standards.

Sources and verification: Maine Judicial Branch PFA forms and timelines; Maine Legislature statutes (19‑A, 14, 26, 22); Maine DHHS OFI and WIC; USDA FNS (SNAP, WIC CVB FY 2025); MaineHousing (HEAP dates and income charts); Maine Attorney General (Victims’ Compensation); MCEDV and MECASA hotlines; 211 Maine; Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services; Wabanaki Women’s Coalition. Key citations are embedded throughout.

Last verified: September 2025, next review April 2026.

Contact for corrections: info@asinglemother.org (we respond within 48–72 hours per our policy).

Disclaimer

Information only: This guide shares current public program rules and contacts. It is not legal advice and cannot guarantee individual outcomes. Program amounts and timelines change; always confirm details with the relevant agency.

Safety and privacy: Use a safe device if you’re concerned about monitoring. If your life is in danger, call 911. We do not collect personal data from this page, and we link only to official or established nonprofit resources.

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Appendix Tables

Table — PFA and Court Resources

Table — Benefits At‑A‑Glance with Current Numbers

Table — Housing Rights Summary

Table — Survivor‑Focused Hotlines

Table — Key Agencies for Single Mothers

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By using official Maine sources, verified hotlines, and current 2025 benefit figures, this guide aims to give you fast, concrete steps you can take today—without fluff or false promises. If a door closes, use the Plan B options above and keep calling until you reach a person who can help.

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