⚠️ Important SNAP update (12/4): The Trump administration is manufacturing another crisis for food assistance. USDA Secretary Rollins has demanded that states share applicants' private information, protected by law. (1/3)

Mainers shouldn't have to choose between keeping their small businesses running and being able to afford to go to the doctor. vist.ly/4gr2p

👏👏 Thank you to Maine Children's Alliance for an uplifting afternoon at the 2025 Champions for Children Giraffe Awards this week! The Equal Justice Partners' Circle was honored to receive the Community-Led Advocacy Award this year. (1/4)

Just 1 week left to get these greeting cards as a thank you for supporting MEJ’s Next Step Fund! Our dream is to have enough funds so that not only are community leaders compensated, but we also have enough to help with emergencies like the SNAP crisis. Donate here: vist.ly/4eynr (1/4)

Maine Equal Justice statement on the end of the shutdown: "Playing games with food and health care is an unjust, ugly business. Mainers with low income, who are living with hunger, chilly homes, unfilled prescriptions, or on the edge of an eviction, should never be pawns on DC’s game board...."(1/4)

"But beyond the short-term impact of funds being cut off due to the government shutdown, changes to SNAP in “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will eliminate an estimated $187 billion in federal spending from SNAP through 2034." Full story from @mainepublic: vist.ly/4dyw6

11/7 5 pm: GOOD NEWS about SNAP! "Maine DHHS will issue full November SNAP benefits beginning on November 10 through November 14 -- the State's standard schedule for issuing benefits." vist.ly/4de65

"As a family physician serving individuals who are unhoused or unstably housed, I witness firsthand the profound impact that access to adequate nutrition has on health and well-being." - Dr. Garrett Fontaine, a Family Medicine Physician who practices in Waterville and Augusta (1/2)

📣SNAP UPDATE 11/07: The Trump Administration is appealing yesterday's court ruling to use funds on hand to pay full SNAP benefits for November. At this time, partial SNAP benefits are planned for Maine. We will share info from DHHS as we get it. vist.ly/4dawe

"This is my family's refrigerator. Tokens of how proud I am of my children cover the outside- but especially during the holiday season- I know that it's what's on the inside that matters. SNAP benefits matter to my family." - Lou, a mom from Steuben ⚠️ Email state legislators: vist.ly/4d75x

The SNAP crisis is not over. Call Senator Collins' office today at (202) 224-2523 or with the link below and ask her to apply pressure to the White House and her colleagues in Congress to fully fund SNAP so Mainers can afford their groceries this month. vist.ly/4d39p

⚠️ SNAP Action alert! A storm is on Maine families’ doorsteps right now, and food banks cannot stand in for SNAP benefits. If the federal government won’t act, Gov. Mills and State legislators have the power to call a special session to use the Rainy Day fund. Add your voice! vist.ly/4cfsr

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for Maine, which is why we're joining with @fullplates.bsky.social and @mecep.bsky.social to call on Gov. Mills and the Legislature to convene a special legislative session. Tap our emergency Rainy Day fund; this is what it's for. Read more: vist.ly/4cbgh

We've heard from several hundred people just since the freeze in SNAP funds was announced. Mainers face desperate choices that no one should have to make, especially when $5 billion in federal funds are available. Proud to see ME join states that are suing. vist.ly/4c55n

"Our members of Congress must press the Trump Administration to immediately release SNAP contingency funds and transfer additional federal funds to SNAP to avoid any reduction in November benefits." Op-ed with @fullplatesfullpotential @preblestreet: vist.ly/4bvt9 #mepolitics

"According to @centeronbudget, the Trump Administration...has the ability to fund SNAP through November by activating SNAP’s contingency fund or 'use the discretionary authority it used to transfer funds into WIC earlier this month...to augment...funding.'" vist.ly/4bgk9

📣 SNAP UPDATE 10/22: With 170,000+ Mainers relying on federally-funded SNAP to afford groceries and meals, people are understandably worried about the shutdown and November's benefits. This is a quickly changing situation and MEJ will share more info as soon as we have it. Go to: vist.ly/4bbws

Because of the federal shutdown, many Mainers who work for or with the federal government are going without paychecks and looking for help. If you are impacted, you may qualify Unemployment benefits or short term loans. Read Maine Peer Workforce Navigator's guide to learn more: vist.ly/4ary2

@portlandpressherald has a deeper look at how harmful changes to SNAP (food assistance) are going to hit ME families and communities. Many groups are working together to offer information & food, but ME will be hungrier for this change. vist.ly/4amrg 👉 Updated SNAP guide: vist.ly/4amrk

👉 Reminder to apply by Oct. 26! Maine Equal Justice is seeking an attorney to provide civil legal representation to low-income Maine residents, with a primary focus on eviction defense and other housing-related matters. More info: vist.ly/4ahjs

Only four more days to choose a gift as a thank you for donating to the Next Step Fund! You can choose between stickers, a T-shirt, or a greeting card pack (with art by our Organizing Director Allina Diaz!) - or get all three: vist.ly/4afkm

📣 SNAP (food assistance) work reporting requirements have changed & MEJ has updated guidance for Mainers who may need to report their work and volunteer hours to keep their food assistance. It's important to check if the changes apply to you, so you don't lose your SNAP! 👉 Info: vist.ly/49yvq

📣 We're seeking an attorney to provide civil legal representation to low-income Maine residents, with a primary focus on eviction defense and other housing-related matters. More info: vist.ly/49puf Applications will be accepted until October 26, 2025 or until the position is filled.

We have merch! Through Oct 17, we have stickers, T-shirts, and greeting card packs by donation to support the Next Step Fund. The fund supports community leaders who know poverty firsthand & our organizing work for justice! As a thank you, we'll send you a gift of your choice: vist.ly/49jfa

Life happens, and lots of us have issues to work out with child care, transportation, work schedules, bad weather and illness. Check out your options for Early Voting! vist.ly/49ewj

New Census data about poverty was released last week. Year after year, we post news about the ups and downs. Progress is possible (we see it all the time!) But as a country, we've been way too willing to accept inequality, for way too long. Read more on our blog: vist.ly/46yem

You may have heard that health insurance costs are about to go WAY up. A big reason is the “enhanced” tax credits that help many Americans afford insurance will expire soon. If Congress doesn’t renew them, around 3k Mainers will lose their insurance, pushing costs up for everyone. vist.ly/46au3

vist.ly/463se Thanks @portlandpressherald 🦷 Investing in good care for Maine kids' teeth means they'll grow into healthy adults. Raising provider pay and making sure we recruit enough dentists and hygienists to ME are both important steps to improve dental care throughout the state!

🗞️🗞️ We're proud to share our annual newsletter - flip through a digital copy with federal updates, state legislative session in review, team updates, and new staff. Thanks for being a supporter & we look forward to working together toward economic security for all in Maine! vist.ly/45mua

School is staring but you still have time to spend your SUN Bucks! SUN Bucks expire 122 days after being issued (for most this is Mon Oct. 6) - be sure to spend your benefit before it expires! Need to check the balance on your card or order a new one? Call the Pine Tree Card line: (800)-477-7428.

🚨 This month, hundreds of Maine families had their SNAP benefits stolen electronically. If you have SNAP, steps to take/links are in the comments. #mepolitics

⚠️ Around 300 Maine families had their SNAP (food assistance) benefits stolen this week. It’s completely unfair that Congress has not funded updates to protect against thefts AND refuses to help families who had their benefits stolen. Full links, recs for SNAP users on our Facebook and Insta pages.

Read this @portlandpressherald story *all the way through.* Kelli Austin, a mom and EJPC advocate with two jobs and many more roles in her community in Waterville, shares just how much harm Congress is doing to MaineCare (Medicaid). Congress has to fix this! vist.ly/43g9n #mepolitics

Summer is coming to an end. If your child received SUN Bucks grocery benefits, make sure to use them before they expire. If your child is eligible and you have not received benefits, apply at mymaineconnection.gov before August 15th. For more information: vist.ly/32yau

SUN Bucks help kids get the nutrition they need while school is out! SUN Bucks can be used to buy groceries like fresh produce, meat, dairy and other staples at any participating retailer. Find out more about SUN Bucks at: vist.ly/3z2fp

Frank D’Alessandro spent his 40-year career (past 6 years as MEJ’s Legal Director) doing what others said couldn’t be done - launching big impact lawsuits from tiny legal aid offices, defending homeowners from losing their homes, or convincing courts and legislators to see things differently. (1/4)

🤩Yesterday, the 2025 Equal Justice Partners' Circle gathered to talk about & strategize solutions for problems we see in our communities. We found common ground across many different viewpoints, saw where our energy for change lies, and deepened friendships and solidarity! 🙏Thank you EJPC! ✊💙💚

This is a thoughtful op-ed about how the policies targeting immigrants in President Trump's budget not only take away health care from people who need it; but will also make getting health care more challenging for ALL people in Maine: vist.ly/3ys22

While it doesn't often make headlines, consumer rights REALLY make a difference in our day-to-day lives! Maine is a leader in this area; we often see lawmakers from both sides of the aisle come together for consumers in areas like student loans, banking, medicine, home ownership. vist.ly/3yckw

MEJ now has an office in Portland! This will be home to our housing legal team as they work w/ clients facing eviction. We created a wish list to make it more welcoming for clients & staff. To donate an item, just mark it off the list & email us to coordinate drop-off or shipping! vist.ly/3y8if

This terrible bill feels like a complete betrayal of Maine's values and the will of Maine voters. All four of Maine's Members of Congress voted NO, and we thank them. What can we do now? Plenty. Stay involved with us, we'll share info and ways to help: https://loom.ly/csZtOCs #mepolitics

In today's @portlandpressherald, plenty of good information about a very bad bill. No matter what happens next in Congress--Maine Equal Justice will continue to help Mainers sign up for and keep the health care, food, and other essentials they qualify for and need. https://loom.ly/COLDLmw

At around 12pm today, the Senate passed its version of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill Act despite both Sen. Collins and Sen. King voting NO. It goes back to the House for more votes this week. We'll continue to provide updates and will have more to say.

Five ways the Senate budget resolution would harm Mainers: 1. It would take away health care coverage from millions, including nearly 65,000 Mainers who rely on Medicaid (MaineCare) or the ACA Marketplace (CoverME.gov). (1/5)

There aren’t any Medicaid cuts. But if there are, they’re just waste fraud and abuse. But if they’re not, it’s just illegals. But if it’s not, it’s just layabouts. But if it’s not, you’ll get over it. But if you don’t, we all have to die sometime.

📢 STATE UPDATE: the legislature passed Maine's budget and Gov. Mills has signed it! On our blog: cheering for a doubled child tax credit for low and moderate income families, and the tough loss of funding this year for the Eviction Prevention Program. loom.ly/Raq-BAw #mepolitics

"More than 64,000 Mainers have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's online marketplace. But state officials and health care advocates say that many would lose coverage under proposed changes in the Congressional budget bill." www.mainepublic.org/health/2025-...

A number of programs that connect Mainers with disabilities to community and encourage them to live independently receive significant federal funding. via Maine Public

"Every child in Maine will feel the effects of these cuts because #Medicaid [MaineCare] funding supports the entire pediatric health system, from individual practices to children’s hospitals." loom.ly/S036J9Q

This week, the U.S. Senate released a plan to take away health care, including Medicaid (MaineCare) from millions of people. The reasons we heard years ago during the Medicaid expansion campaign are still the ones we hear today - Maine people work hard but still struggle to afford healthcare.