Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters
26 programs listed · 25 verified against the program's own website
If you own or rent a home in Maine and you are living on a low income, are an older adult, or have a disability, this page lists the help available to you. Verified July 25, 2026.
Two phone numbers open most doors in Maine. The first is the statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center line, 877-353-3771, which routes you by county to one of the five Area Agencies on Aging for free help with long term care, benefits, meals, legal questions, and Medicare. The second is your local Community Action Agency, which delivers heating assistance, weatherization, heating system repair, the electric bill credit, and much of the state’s home repair money. MaineHousing can point you to the agency serving your town at 800-452-4668, and the heating assistance line is 877-544-3271. For property tax questions, Maine Revenue Services’ Property Tax Division is at 207-624-5600.
If you are thinking about sharing your home: Maine is unusual in that the state itself runs a home sharing program, so this is a well-trodden path here. On the money side, the split is clean. Programs that run through heating assistance count the gross income of everyone living in the home, so another adult’s income counts for heating help, the electric bill credit, weatherization, and heating system repair, and it also counts for the Community Aging in Place Grant and the Home Accessibility and Repair Program. Maine’s property tax exemptions do not look at income at all, so the homestead, veteran, and blind exemptions are unaffected by who lives with you. The Property Tax Fairness Credit is based on your own tax return, so a home seeker’s income is not added to yours, but the rent you collect is your income and a higher income shrinks that credit. For the State Property Tax Deferral Program and the MaineCare waiver, the rules do not clearly spell out how another adult in the home is treated, so confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Everything below, in one file you can print or take to an appointment.
Home modification and aging in place
MaineCare Section 19: Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
What you get
Covered home modifications and assistive technology, plus personal care, nursing, home delivered meals, personal emergency response systems, respite, and homemaker services; no fixed dollar cap published on the program page (2026)
Who qualifies
older adults, and adults age 18 to 64 with a physical disability
Income limit
Set by MaineCare long term care financial eligibility rules; no separate published dollar figure on the program page
How to apply
File the MaineCare long term care application with Maine DHHS, then contact the state Assessing Services Agency at 833-525-5784 for the free functional assessment
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
MaineHousing, delivered by regional partner agencies
What you get
Grants for well repair or replacement, heating and electrical repair, roof and chimney repair, structural repair, lead paint mitigation, windows and doors, siding, energy efficiency, and modifications for people with disabilities; maximum amount not published on the program page (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Household income at or below 80% of area median income (2026)
How to apply
Contact the regional agency on MaineHousing's home repair agency contact list, or submit the online inquiry form
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Community Development Block Grant Home Repair Network
stateHomeowners
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Community Development, with the City of Rockland as lead community
What you get
Regional home repair funding of up to $1,700,000 per grant, delivered as repairs to individual homes; covers rehabilitation, energy conservation, potable water and sewer, lead paint, asbestos and radon mitigation, removal of architectural barriers, and the Critical Access Ramp Program (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Must benefit low and moderate income persons under the federal standard; specific thresholds are set by the delivering agency
How to apply
You do not apply to the state. Contact the Community Action Agency serving your region, which delivers the repairs under contract with the City of Rockland
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
federal-in-stateHomeownersNot confirmed
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
loan and grant
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development, Maine state office
What you get
The federal program rules are described on our nationwide programs page. The Maine delivery details are not listed here, so check with the state office.
Who qualifies
62 or older for the grant; loans have no age minimum
Income limit
Very low income, at or below 50% of area median income by county
How to apply
Apply year round through the USDA Rural Development office serving your county; rural properties only
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
MaineHousing, delivered by the nine Community Action Agencies
What you get
No-cost air sealing, insulation, heating system improvements, ventilation, efficient lighting, and appliance replacement, based on a customized home assessment (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Income qualified; eligibility is usually based on qualifying for the Home Energy Assistance Program (2026)
How to apply
Contact your local Community Action Agency to apply and ask about the current wait time; renters need the property owner's approval before work begins
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
MaineHousing, delivered by the Community Action Agencies
What you get
Grants to repair or replace a central heating system; up to $600 for rental properties occupied by a household eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Must qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program (2026)
How to apply
Apply through your local Community Action Agency, usually at the same time as your heating assistance application; households without heat are given priority
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Enhanced rebates for heat pumps, insulation and air sealing, ducted heat pumps for mobile homes, and electric vehicles; residential heat pump incentives advertised up to $10,600 (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Income qualified; specific thresholds are checked through Efficiency Maine's eligibility tool and were not published on the page fetched
How to apply
Check eligibility on the Efficiency Maine income-eligible page, then work with a participating registered contractor
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
MaineHousing, delivered by nine Community Action Agencies and ProsperityME
What you get
Seasonal heating benefit credited to your fuel provider or utility account; amount varies by household size, income, and household expenses
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
2026-2027 season maximum gross annual household income: $38,070 for 1 person, $49,784 for 2, $61,498 for 3, $73,213 for 4, $84,927 for 5, $96,641 for 6, $98,837 for 7, $101,033 for 8, $103,230 for 9, $105,426 for 10. Households over the limit may deduct medical expenses; households of more than 10 should ask their Community Action Agency
How to apply
Apply online, by phone, or in person through your Community Action Agency. Applications for the next heating season open August 3, 2026. Bring proof of citizenship, income for everyone in the household, and a recent fuel or utility bill
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division, administered by municipal assessors
What you get
$25,000 reduction in the assessed value of your home (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None; not income tested
How to apply
File the application with your local town or city assessor by April 1. You must have owned a home in Maine for at least 12 months and occupy this one as your permanent residence on April 1
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division, with applications taken by municipal assessors
What you get
The State pays your property taxes each year while you stay in the program; the full amount plus interest is repaid later out of the property (36 M.R.S. sections 6250 to 6266)
Who qualifies
65 or older on April 1 of the first year you apply, or unable to work due to a permanent and total disability determined by a state or federal agency
Income limit
Income under $80,000 for the calendar year before you file, and liquid assets under $100,000 ($150,000 on a joint application). Retirement accounts such as an IRA or 401(k) do not count as liquid assets
How to apply
File the application with your municipal assessor between January 1 and April 1. For the 2026 tax year the window ran January 1 to April 1, 2026. Once accepted you do not reapply each year
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Refundable credit of up to $1,000, or up to $2,000 if you or your spouse were at least 65 during the tax year (tax year 2025). Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs receive double the calculated credit
Who qualifies
no age minimum; the maximum credit doubles at 65
Income limit
Set by a formula rather than a flat cap: your credit is the benefit base minus 4% of total income. The benefit base is $4,100 at age 65 or older, otherwise $2,550 single, $3,300 head of household (or $4,050 with more than one qualifying child or dependent), and $3,300 to $4,050 married filing jointly. The credit therefore phases out around $102,500 of total income at 65 or older, and around $63,750 for a single filer under 65 (tax year 2025)
How to apply
File Maine Form 1040ME with Schedule PTFC/STFC attached for the year you paid the property tax or rent. You can file even if you owe no Maine income tax
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Veteran Exemption and Disabled Veteran Housing Exemption
stateHomeowners
Type of help
exemption
Who runs it
Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division, administered by municipal assessors
What you get
$6,000 reduction in assessed value for the standard veteran exemption; $50,000 reduction for veterans who received a federal grant for specially adapted housing (2026)
Who qualifies
62 or older for the wartime service exemption; no age minimum if rated 100% disabled or disabled during service
Income limit
None; not income tested
How to apply
File the veteran exemption application with your municipal assessor by April 1; the same form covers the specially adapted housing exemption
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Maine briefly ran a property tax stabilization program for older homeowners that no longer appears on the state list, so if you have heard that your taxes can be frozen, that is not among the programs Maine Revenue Services lists today. Separately, Maine law also allows a municipality to run its own local property tax deferral program for older residents (36 M.R.S. chapter 908-A), so it is worth asking your town.
Insurance-related help
Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services, with the five Area Agencies on Aging and Legal Services for Maine Elders
What you get
Free, confidential counseling on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, prescription drug coverage, and MaineCare, plus help with appeals and reporting fraud (2026)
Who qualifies
people on Medicare, and people on Medicare because of a disability
Income limit
None; free to everyone on Medicare regardless of income
How to apply
Call the statewide line to reach your local Aging and Disability Resource Center; help is available by phone or in person, with free interpreters
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance
What you get
Free help understanding homeowners and renters policies, a homeowners policy comparison guide, and formal complaint handling against an insurance company (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None
How to apply
Call the Bureau Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or file a complaint through its website; TTY users can use Maine Relay 711
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Unlike many states, Maine appears not to operate one. If you cannot find coverage anywhere, call the Bureau at 800-300-5000 and confirm before giving up.
No income-based subsidy for homeowner insurance premiums was identified on the Bureau of Insurance consumer pages. Check maine.gov/pfr/insurance in case a new program launches.
HomeShare-relevant extras
Maine Homeshare Program, hosted by Nesterly
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
MaineHousing, operated under contract by Nesterly
What you get
Online matching of people with a spare room to people looking for lower-cost longer-term housing, including screening, a first meeting, a lease, and payment handling (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit stated; created to help older Maine residents stay in their homes
Income limit
None identified for using the platform
How to apply
Sign up at nesterly.com or call Nesterly; the MaineHousing page lists local supporters by region
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Statewide accessory dwelling unit law (30-A M.R.S. section 4364-B)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Maine municipalities under state law; permits issued locally
What you get
Every municipality must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on any lot where a single-family home is the primary structure, attached or detached (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None
How to apply
Apply for a building permit through your town or city code office; building codes and local siting rules still apply
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Rental subsidy paying the difference between the tenant's share and the rent, including utilities where applicable; serves more than 3,800 Maine households a month (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Household income limits vary by location and family size
How to apply
Apply online or print an application at maine.affordablehousing.com. Maine residents who are homeless are given priority
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the Maine contacts.
One more option
Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.
Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.