Section 457-619-3 - LOAN APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITYA.ApplicationAn applicant shall apply for a loan on forms designated by the Authority. The application may be filed directly by the applicant or, at the request of and on behalf of the applicant, by an adult education program of a school administrative unit that provides English as a second language, job skills or other instruction or assistance to improve the work readiness of the immigrant. Applications will be considered by the Authority on a first-come, first-served basis as long as sufficient funds remain in the fund. In the event the Authority receives multiple applications on a day that would deplete the remaining fund balance, the Authority may award the remaining funds at its discretion.
B.Eligibility To be eligible for a loan under the program, an applicant must:
1. Be an immigrant residing in Maine and have filed an application or petition with federal immigration authorities that entitles the immigrant to request a work permit in any of the categories set forth in 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 274a.12(c) (2019). The immigrant shall provide electronic or paper evidence establishing that such application or petition was filed with federal immigration authorities and shall state which section of 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 274a.12(c) (2019) allows the immigrant to request a work permit. An immigrant is not eligible if the immigrant has been denied a work permit at the time of making the application to the program. In the case of an immigrant who, pursuant to 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 274a.12(c)(8) (2019) or other federal statute or regulation, is required to wait a period of time after filing an application for asylum or another immigration benefit or relief before becoming authorized to receive an initial work permit, the immigrant is eligible if the immigrant's underlying application for asylum or another immigration benefit or relief entitling the immigrant to request an initial work permit following the required period has been filed and is pending at the time of making the application to the program; and 2. Submit evidence acceptable to the Authority of the costs incurred or to be incurred in the amount of the loan requested. The Authority shall review the application for eligibility and, if the Authority determines the applicant is eligible, may authorize a loan to the borrower.
94-457 C.M.R. ch. 619, § 3