The Maine Disaster Relief Program was designed by the Legislature and Governor Mills to support Maine people who worked amid the pandemic, to be administered by Maine Revenue Services.

Maine Revenue Services will issue Disaster Relief Payments to eligible Maine citizens from early November 2021 through December 31, 2021. The payment amount will be approximately $275 (the official computation will be made after the October 31, 2021 eligibility deadline).

Starting Monday, November 1, the hazard paychecks for those who worked through the pandemic will begin going out. Here’s what you should know about who will receive these checks:

For the 2020 tax year, you must have filed your taxes and reported earned income. Income limits are as follows:

• $150,000 or less if married and filing a joint return; $112,500 or less if filing as head of household; or $75,000 or less if single or married but filing separately.
• About 535,000 working Mainers are eligible and are expected to receive about $275 per person.
• All payments will be paper checks, and they will be automatically mailed to the address Maine Revenue Services has on file. They will be mailed out beginning November 1, but could take 5-6 weeks for everyone who qualifies to receive theirs.

These checks are coming as families are prepping for the holidays and colder weather. For more information, please visit the frequently asked questions web page published by Maine Revenue Services.