Portland

Local offices in Portland

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · City office

  Health and Human Services, Social Services

  Help here

  • General AssistanceApply for short-term help with basic needs when you cannot afford them.Read more
  • Utility and heating bill helpAsk Social Services about help with eligible household costs, including utility bills and heating fuel.Read more
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  Portland Housing Authority

  970 Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME 04103

  Help here

  • Public and voucher housingContact the Housing Authority to ask about public housing and housing voucher programs.
  Call 207-773-4753DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on porthouse.org

• Local office · City office

  City of Portland Customer Service

  389 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101

  Help here

  • City information and service requestsContact the city for help finding information or the right department, or use the online 311 service request tool.Read more
  Call 207-874-8300DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov

• Older adults · City office

  Portland Elder Services

  Help here

  • Support for older residentsFind city programs and support for challenges that can come with aging.
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov

• Jobs and training · State office

  Greater Portland CareerCenter

  151 Jetport Boulevard, Portland, ME 04102

  Help here

  • Job search and workforce servicesGet help with job searches, career services, and training resources.
  Call 207-623-7981DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mainecareercenter.gov

• State office

  Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Portland Branch

  125 Presumpscot Street, Portland, ME 04103

  Help here

  • Driver licensing and state IDVisit the branch for driver license and state identification transactions.
  Call 207-822-6400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on maine.gov

• Library · City office

  Portland Public Library

  5 Monument Square, Portland, ME 04101

  Help here

  • Library servicesGet a library card, borrow materials, use public computers, or find library programs.Read more
  Call 207-871-1700DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandlibrary.org

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Parks, Recreation & Facilities

  Help here

  • Recreation programsFind and register for recreation programs for children, adults, and older residents.
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov

City of Portland, Maine website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Portland

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Cumberland County

Portland is in Cumberland County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Public health · Nonprofit

  The Opportunity Alliance WIC, Cumberland County

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition benefitsCall to apply for food benefits and nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, infants, and children.
  Call 207-553-5800Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on maine.gov

• Human services · Regional office

  211 Maine

  Help here

  • Local help and referralsCall or text 211 Maine to find local help with basic needs and services.Read more
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211maine.org

• Courts and legal help · County office

  Cumberland County Probate Court

  142 Federal Street, Suite 125, Portland, ME 04101

  Help here

  • Probate and guardianship mattersGet information about wills, estates, guardianships, and other probate matters.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cumberlandcountyme.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  Southern Maine Agency on Aging

  30 Barra Road, Biddeford, ME 04005

  Help here

  • Aging and disability supportGet help finding services, meals, caregiver support, and health insurance counseling for older adults and people with disabilities.
  Call 207-396-6500DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smaaa.org

• Older adults · Regional office

  Spectrum Generations

  One Weston Court, Suite 109, Augusta, ME 04330

  Help here

  • Aging and disability supportGet information and help finding long-term support and other services if you live in Brunswick or Harpswell.
  Call 207-622-9212DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on spectrumgenerations.org

• Emergency help · County office

  Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and responseGet information about preparing for emergencies and coordinating help during a disaster.
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cumberlandcountyme.gov

Everything in Cumberland County

Maine programs by kind of help

These are run by Maine and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026