Information for Laid-Off Workers
A laid off worker is someone who has been separated from their job due to no fault of their own. This can include workers affected by business closures or individual or groups of workers whose positions have been eliminated.
For workers who are otherwise qualified, unemployment insurance payments may be available to help support workers while they are looking for a new job.
Rapid Response
Maine Department of Labor provides Rapid Response sessions whenever workers are laid off. The following information is covered during these sessions – Unemployment Insurance, CareerCenter Services, Maine JobLink, Health Insurance Options, Housing Assistance, etc. We welcome you to view Rapid Response information below in a variety of languages.
Rapid Response Resource Sheets
- موارد للعمال الم ّرسح ي - Arabic (PDF)
- 为下岗职工提供资源 - Chinese (PDF)
- Resources For Laid Off Workers - English (PDF)
- Ressources Pour Les Travailleurs Mis À Pied- French (PDF)
- Amafaranga agenerwa abakozi biirukanywe- Kinyarwanda (PDF)
- Masungi mpona bato balongoki bango mosala - Lingala (PDF)
- Recursos Para Trabalhadores Demitidos - Portuguese (PDF)
- Macluumaad loogu talogalay shaqaalaha laga diray shaqada- Somali (PDF)
- Recursos Para Trabajadores Despedidos - Spanish (PDF)
- Rasilimali kwa wafanyikazi walioachishwa kazi - Swahili (PDF)
- Các nguồn trợ giúp cho người lao động bị sa thải - Vietnamese (PDF)
Maine Unemployment Information
- Telephone: We encourage you to call Unemployment Insurance at 1-800-593-7660, press 2 and when you hear hold music you are in the queue, don’t hang up. Interpreter services will be available.
- Unemployment Information website
Unemployment Information Filing Tips
Video Information
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgIaGd_fTOs – What should I do if I become unemployed?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WruYxHOoJx0 – How to Create an Unemployment Account on ReEmployME
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVGhc3qbOUs – How to File an Initial Claim
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXVMDBhTUE0 – How to report Work Search
CareerCenter locations
One on One staff assistance with phone lines are available to contact Unemployment Compensation or an Employer at any of these locations
One on One staff assistance with phone lines are available to contact Unemployment Compensation or an Employer at any of these locations:
Other Services
Vocational Rehabilitation
- VR has been an active Rapid Response partner for some folks being laid off who may need their services. For more information, visit the Department of Labors Vocational Rehab web page.
Health Insurance Assistance
- For health insurance information, contact the Consumers for Affordable Healthcare at 1-800-965-7476 or visit their website
Housing Assistance
- For housing information, contact the Maine State Housing Authority at 207-626-4600, or visit their website
Adult Education
- For adult education information, contact the Maine Department of Education at Voice: (207) 624-6600 or visit their website
Workforce Centers sorted by City
- City: Augusta
- Work Center: Augusta CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Bangor:
- Work Center: Tri County CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Belfast
- Work Center: Workforce Solutions-Lincoln, Waldo, Knox Counties
- Phone: (207) 930-7047
- City: Brunswick
- Work Center: Southern Midcoast CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Calais
- Work Center: Washington County- Calais CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Dover-Foxcroft
- Work Center: EMDC Dover-Foxcroft
- Phone: (207) 951-0835
- City: E. Millinocket
- Work Center: EMDC Millinocket
- Phone: (207) 991-2128
- City: Ellsworth
- Work Center: EMDC Ellsworth
- Phone: (207) 610-1521
- City: Hinckley
- Work Center: Northern Kennebec Valley CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Houlton
- Work Center: ACAP Houlton
- Phone: (207) 532-5300
- City: Lewiston
- Work Center: Lewiston CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Machias
- Work Center: Washington County -Machias CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Portland
- Work Center: Greater Portland CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Portland
- Work Center: Workforce Solutions- Coastal Counties Local Area
- Phone: (207) 930-7047
- City: Presque Isle
- Work Center: ACAP Presque Isle
- Phone: (207) 764-3721
- City: Presque Isle
- Work Center: Presque Isle CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Rockland
- Work Center: Rockland CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981
- City: Rumford
- Work Center: EMDC Oxford County
- Phone: (207) 753-9001
- City: Springvale
- Work Center: Springvale CareerCenter
- Phone: (207) 623-7981