Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
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Income and Social Security
Maine SSI supplement
Maine adds a small state payment, called state supplemental income, to SSI for older, blind and disabled residents.
State law sets it at no less than $8 a month for one person, and a couple gets the sum of two single amounts. Applying for SSI with Social Security counts as applying for Maine's supplement too.
How to apply in Maine
- Who runs it
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Who may qualify in Maine
| SSI | Get SSI because of age, blindness or disability; people whose income is a little too high for SSI may also qualify, based on need |
|---|
Source: Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes) (source 1)
What you may get
| Monthly supplement, one person living on their own (state law in effect in 2026) | At least $8 a month (the minimum in state law; the current amount wasn't confirmed) |
|---|---|
| Monthly supplement, couple living on their own (state law in effect in 2026) | The sum of two single amounts |
| Monthly supplement, one person in an adult foster home or boarding home that contracts with the state | Enough to meet the home's monthly rate, plus at least $30 a month for personal needs |
| Extra for certain other living arrangements set by the state | Up to $42 a month more |
Source: Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes) (source 2)
How Maine is different
Where Maine's rules differ from the federal rules for State SSI supplements.
- Paid separately by the state: Maine has run the supplement itself since April 1, 1996
- Under state law, applying for SSI with Social Security counts as applying for the state supplement
Sources: Social Security Administration (POMS) (source 5), Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes) (source 3)
Good to know
- Maine changed this law in 2025 (Public Law 2025, chapter 753), including the minimum amount and the rule that a couple gets two single amounts.
- People in nursing homes keep at least $30 a month for personal needs.
Source: Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes) (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Maine
Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Maine
State SSI supplement in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
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- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
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- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
- Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes), 22 MRSA §3271. Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes), 22 MRSA §3273. Types of benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes), 22 MRSA §3262. Applying for benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Maine Legislature (Maine Revised Statutes), 22 MRSA §3202. Definitions (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Social Security Administration (POMS), SI BOS01415.010 Maine Optional State Supplementary Payments (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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