Portland
Ask about Portland
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Portland and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Portland
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
City of Portland Customer Service
389 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
Help here
- City information and service requestsContact the city for help finding information or the right department, or use the online 311 service request tool.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov
Human services · City office
Health and Human Services, Social Services
Help here
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov
Older adults · City office
Portland Elder Services
Help here
- Support for older residentsFind city programs and support for challenges that can come with aging.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Portland Housing Authority
970 Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME 04103
Help here
- Public and voucher housingContact the Housing Authority to ask about public housing and housing voucher programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on porthouse.org
Library · City office
Portland Public Library
5 Monument Square, Portland, ME 04101
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow materials, use public computers, or find library programs.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandlibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks, Recreation & Facilities
Help here
- Recreation programsFind and register for recreation programs for children, adults, and older residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portlandmaine.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Greater Portland CareerCenter
151 Jetport Boulevard, Portland, ME 04102
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help with job searches, career services, and training resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on mainecareercenter.gov
State office · State office
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Portland Branch
125 Presumpscot Street, Portland, ME 04103
Help here
- Driver licensing and state IDVisit the branch for driver license and state identification transactions.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on maine.gov
City of Portland, Maine website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Offices for all of Cumberland County
Portland is in Cumberland County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Emergency help · County office
Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and responseGet information about preparing for emergencies and coordinating help during a disaster.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cumberlandcountyme.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Cumberland County Probate Court
142 Federal Street, Suite 125, Portland, ME 04101
Help here
- Probate and guardianship mattersGet information about wills, estates, guardianships, and other probate matters.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cumberlandcountyme.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Southern Maine Agency on Aging
30 Barra Road, Biddeford, ME 04005
Help here
- Aging and disability supportGet help finding services, meals, caregiver support, and health insurance counseling for older adults and people with disabilities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smaaa.org
Older adults · Regional office
Spectrum Generations
One Weston Court, Suite 109, Augusta, ME 04330
Help here
- Aging and disability supportGet information and help finding long-term support and other services if you live in Brunswick or Harpswell.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on spectrumgenerations.org
Community action · Nonprofit
The Opportunity Alliance
50 Lydia Lane, South Portland, ME 04106
Help here
- Basic needs and community supportContact the agency to find help with basic needs, housing stability, and other community services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on opportunityalliance.org
Mental health and recovery · Nonprofit
The Opportunity Alliance Behavioral Health Services
50 Lydia Lane, South Portland, ME 04106
Help here
- Behavioral health supportAsk about mental health services and care coordination for eligible Cumberland County residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on opportunityalliance.org
Maine programs by kind of help
These are run by Maine and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 211 Maine
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988