Can an applicant for general assistance have a 3rd party accompany her in the application process?
Yes. There is nothing preventing an applicant from having a 3rd party accompany her when she applies for general assistance. While all information associated with the application for general assistance is considered confidential the applicant has the right to waive this provision and allow specific individuals to have access to this information. Discussion: Records, papers, files and communications relating to an applicant or recipient made or received by persons charged with responsibility of administering this chapter are confidential and no information relating to a person who is an applicant or recipient may be disclosed to the general public, unless expressly permitted by applicant/ recipient. 22 M.R.S. ยง 4306 (2007). Applicants, recipients and their legal representatives have the right to review their case records. No record will be released to a third party, however, unless the administrator receives a consent form signed by the applicant expressly authorizing the release of his
