Responding to higher heating costs, Maine mails first batch of energy relief checks
Eligible Maine taxpayers should start receiving $450 energy relief checks from the state this week after the first 5,000 payments were posted on Monday, Gov. Janet Mills announced.
The payments, mailed by Maine Revenue Services, aim to help Mainers stay warm, safe and secure this winter amid soaring energy costs. The first batch of checks went out just days before dangerously cold temperatures were predicted for Friday and Saturday across the state.
Starting next week, Maine Revenue Services will issue an estimated 200,000 checks per week, with the vast majority of qualifying Maine residents expected to receive their payment by the end of March.
“High energy prices have made staying warm more difficult for Maine families this winter," Mills said in a news release. "That’s why I proposed — and was pleased to sign — an emergency relief measure that quickly puts money back into the hands of Maine people."
"I thank the Legislature for approving this emergency measure and look forward to working with lawmakers to implement policies that will bring down energy costs and improve energy efficiency in the long term," she added.
Who's eligible
Individuals need not do anything to claim their $450 payment. Full-time residents who filed their 2021 Maine individual income tax returns for 2021 by Oct. 31, 2022 are eligible, as long as they are not claimed as a dependent on another person's return.
Taxpayers must also have a federal adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 if filing single or if married and filing separately; $150,000 if filing as head of household; or $200,000 for couples filing jointly.
“With Maine people facing high energy costs, Gov. Mills directed us to distribute the energy relief payments as quickly as possible, and I am pleased to say we have achieved our goal of beginning to send them before the end of January,” said Kirsten Figueroa, Maine's commissioner for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. “We will continue to work hard to see that all the checks are sent out as quickly as possible.”
In addition to the $450 payment, the governor's Winter Emergency Relief Plan also offers additional support to help cover energy, heating and housing expenses.
More information
Find a list of frequently asked questions about energy relief payments here. Resources to help Maine people and families take action to save money, improve their home’s energy efficiency and find heating assistance can be found in the Governor’s Energy Office’s updated Winter Heating Guide.
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