I have volunteered with Maine Equal Justice for a number of years now. This organization, formed to serve low income individuals with advocacy and information about state laws, policies, and rules, as well as some Federal information has often been the leader in helping the voices of low income people in Maine to be heard. Staff members make special efforts to hear all voices and give equal treatment to all. They all understand well the pressures of living with low income, the necessities of daily life for people who must rely on various benefit programs to eat, be housed, raise their children, get heat, and more. In very informal settings the staff of Maine Equal Justice Partners helps people feel comfortable sharing information that helps policymakers and legislators understand the situations of low income individuals. Through more than 10 years of work, Maine Equal Justice Partners has made a significant difference in the lives of many residents of Maine through their tireless advocacy and structured policy discussions.
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- EIN 04-3346273
- (207) 626-7058
- 126 Sewall St Augusta ME 04330 USA
- www.mejp.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Crime & Law, Legal Services
Mission: Mission to find solutions to poverty and improve the lives of people with low income in maine. Mejp accomplishes its mission through public policy advocacy, legal representation and impact litigation, and statewide training and education.
Programs: Litigation other advocacy represents clients individuals below 200 of the federal poverty level before administrative agencies, the state legislature and state federal courts primarily to ensure that they are able to meet basic needs, including food, housing, utilities, and health care. Mejp handled more than 430 cases in 2014, including administrative and legislative matters as well as direct client services. These included 175 health care primarily medicaid related cases, 228 cases concerning food assistance and income support programs, 8 cases concerning housing and utility matters, and 6 cases concerning consumer issues. Mejp also conducted 50 separate training and education events throughout the state on resources and issues affecting people with low income, reaching more than 1,800 service providers and advocates who can better assist their clients - thousands of low-income individuals and families.
health care in conjunction with the representation noted in 4a, performs legal research, public policy analysis, and develops strategies to improve access to health care for low-income individuals and families at the state level. Specific state activities include protecting and improving access to health care for more than 285,000 medicaid enrollees, including legal immigrants in maine.
tanf and parents as scholars in conjunction with the representation noted in 4a, performs legal research and public policy analysis, and develops strategies to improve temporary assistance for needy families tanf - maines public benefit program for low-income families with dependent children. Specific activities include sustaining benefits for more than 6,500 families receiving tanf, including 10,000 children, as well as improving administrative processes so that each family receives a comprehensive assessment to identify opportunities and barriers to employment.