August 22, 2020
Unemployment Insurance FAQs from Maine Dept. of Labor
Frequently asked questions about unemployment eligibility and how to apply. Updated frequently.
Read MoreAugust 22, 2020
Paid Leave & Unemployment Decision Chart
From Family Values At Work and NELP. Helps navigate if paid sick day, unemployment, or family leave are your best option.
Read MoreJune 29th, 2020
Healthcare for All: Now More than Ever – Panel & Discussion
This event will take place on June 29th, 2020 from 5:30-7:00pm over Zoom. Please register at the link below. Over 500 people and 30 organizations joined our call to Governor Janet Mills to implement universal healthcare and protect the rights of essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. We brought our demands to the Blaine House in…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
Can I lose my job if I need to take time off because I am sick with COVID-19 or my family member is sick with COVID-19?
As described in FAQ 9, COVID-19 may be a disability within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA). If so, it would be illegal for your employer to fire you because you develop COVID-19, because it regards you as having COVID-19, or because you associate with…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
My child’s daycare or school is closed because of the coronavirus threat. Can I take time off to care for my child?
In addition to the 10 days of paid sick leave described in FAQ 3, your employer may be required to allow you to take an additional 10 weeks of job-protected leave with partial pay to care for your child while your child is out of school or daycare is unavailable, for a total of 12…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
I am self-employed or an independent contractor and I am unable to work or my income has been reduced for reasons related to COVID-19. What can I do to receive income while I am not working?
Beginning May 1, 2020, the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) began accepting applications for unemployment benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Under that program, workers who would not typically be eligible for unemployment under Maine law, such as self-employed workers, “gig economy” workers, independent contractors, and workers with limited work history, are…
Read MoreApril 27, 2020
Sign The Petition – Tell Gov. Mills: during this pandemic, we need universal healthcare!
Please sign the petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-gov-mills-during-this-pandemic-we-need-universal-healthcare Gov. Mills must utilize every resource available to address the healthcare needs of all Mainers amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has initiated a public health and economic crisis unprecedented in our lifetimes. Important steps have been taken by Gov. Mills to respond to our circumstances, the situation however, is…
Read MoreMarch 31st, 2020
Virtual Meeting: The Peoples Town Hall
This event will be a virtual meeting hosted on Zoom by The Southern Maine Workers Center on Tuesday, March 31st from 5:30Pm – 7:30pm. Fill out the form to register for the event and we’ll text or email you the call information before the event begins. Please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PDs1HgqKdJr-w7radOvXa-c474aqdqE5rsCyd8OfBmM/edit#responses
Read MoreMarch 5, 2020
Folks rally at the State House for lawmakers to support expanded dental care
A few dozen folks rallied at the State House Thursday advocating for a bill that would give more Mainers access to dental care. It would allow people who make under $17,000 a year to get basic dental prevention and treatment. The only Medicaid dental benefit for adults in Maine is limited emergency care. Supporters say…
Read MoreMarch 5, 2020
Sharing stories of pain and stigma, low-income Mainers call on lawmakers to pass dental bill
Dozens of working-class Mainers rallied at the State House on Thursday to demand their legislators vote to support a bill to guarantee comprehensive dental coverage for low-income adults through MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program. LD 1955 is the second attempt to secure dental coverage for low-income adults after a similar bill, LD 1453, passed both the state House…
Read MoreJanuary 27, 2020
Dental care improves lives
On Jan. 23, I flashed my toothiest smile at Gov. Janet Mills. As a member of the Southern Maine Workers Center, I rallied with coalition partners at the State House to support LD 1955. If passed, LD 1955 will expand MaineCare to include comprehensive dental care for adults. Access to dental care is essential to good health. People who do…
Read MoreMay 20, 2019
Dental Care Is Healthcare And Healthcare Is A Human Right
The Maine legislature is considering a bill that would provide access to basic dental care for adults and children on MaineCare. “An Act To Improve Dental Health for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes” (LD-1453) would be an important step forward for Maine. As someone who’s been impacted by not having access to dental…
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