Cash Assistance

In Minnesota, public assistance programs follow standardized guidelines created by the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) but are administered by each county (or tribal nation).  The MNBenefits website is an easy way to apply for benefits and submit documents from anywhere in the state.

To Apply:  Use the MNBenefits website to apply online.

For faster processing, upload these documents with your application:

• • • Recent pay stubs, rent receipts, and bank statements.

    • Shelter Verification Form (if you are in a residential program or treatment center)

    • Request for Medical Opinion Form (if you are not certified disabled by Social Security or SMRT)

    • Authorization for Release of Employment Information (if you have a job)

    • Self-Employment Report Form (if applicable)

After applying:  

Wait to receive a letter or call from your county eligibility worker.

If you receive a letter, it will likely request:

• • • That you call your county for a phone interview.

    • That you submit additional paperwork or verifications.

    • Tip:  You will be assigned a "MAXIS" Case Number (MAXIS is MN's benefits computer system).  Write it down! 

Most cash benefits are distributed as monthly deposits onto an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card.

• • • You will receive your EBT card in the mail.

    • To report a lost or stolen EBT card call 1-888-997-2227 (24/7).  

    • Replacement cards can be ordered for $2 - they are sent by mail and can take up to 5 business days to receive. 

To report changes in address, income, expenses, assets & household members:  

Complete the Change Report Form, then submit via MNBenefits (or use email/fax). 

If you need help, call your county (in the metro area wait times can be long).

Many programs require yearly renewals, also called redeterminations.  Before the renewal is due, you should receive a notice by mail requesting updated documentation to verify you are still eligible for the program.  Renewal documents can be submitted online, or via email/fax. 

To receive a Verification of Benefits:  Request a statement from your local county office. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Formerly known as "food stamps," SNAP provides food assistance for people with low income.  Money is deposited to EBT cards in a "virtual wallet" that can only be used for eligible food purchases at approved retailers (including online and farmers markets).  

Apply using MNBenefits, or request help from a SNAP Specialist.

For other assistance, see Food & Nutrition.

Emergency General Assistance - 

One time emergency cash assistance for adults without children in their household.   

Apply using MNBenefits  or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

General Assistance (GA) - 

Monthly cash assistance for adults who are unable to work enough to support themselves and not yet receiving workers compensation or Social Security benefits.  

Apply using MNBenefits or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) - 

Up to 8 months of monthly cash assistance to adults newly arrived in the United States with humanitarian protection.  

Apply using MNBenefits (mention Refugee Cash Assistance in the "notes" section at the end) or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

TAX-CREDITS FOR LOW-INCOME ADULTS:

• MN Working Family Tax Credit

• Federal Earned Income Tax Credit

For additional benefits, see Cash for Adults with Disabilities or Over Age 65

Benefit Screening - Families can use the 12 question Bridge to Benefits screening tool to see what benefit programs they might be eligible for. 

CASH FOR ADULTS CARING FOR CHILDREN

Emergency Assistance

One time emergency cash assistance for households with children.  

Apply using MNBenefits or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

Woman, Infants and Children Program (WIC)

Nutritional support, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five.  Note:  WIC funds are deposited onto a unique WIC card (separate from SNAP/TANF/GA benefits).

Apply using the online WIC application (not MNBenefits).

MN Family Investment Program (MFIP)

Up to 60 months of cash & food assistance for parents with children.  Parents usually must complete a four-month Diversionary Work Program (DWP) prior to enrollment in MFIP.  

Apply using MNBenefits or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Monthly sliding-scale cash assistance for child care (paid directly to providers).  

Apply using MNBenefits or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

Early Learning Scholarships

Funding for early childhood programs (birth to 4 years old) for children with the highest needs.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Federal early childhood program administered by local organizations (pregnancy to age 5).

Family Support Grant

Provides financial assistance to families with children who have a diagnosed disability to help cover costs associated with caregiving and support.  The goal is to prevent or delay out-of-home placement and promote family health and social well-being.

Child care for military families:  MilitaryChildCare.com and Child Care Aware of America

Free School Meals for Kids Program

All students in MN public schools have access to free breakfast and lunch.

Post-Secondary Child Care Grant Program

Helps low income adult students with children pay for child care  while attending classes.

TAX CREDITS FOR FAMILIES

• MN Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

• MN Child Tax Credit

• MN Credit for Qualifying Older Children

• MN Working Family Tax Credit

• Federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

• Federal Child Tax Credit

• Federal Earned Income Tax Credit

For additional benefits, see Cash for Adults with Disabilities or Over Age 65.

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)

Monthly cash assistance for Minnesotans who receive SSI or who are 65+, blind or disabled and ineligible for SSI due to their income or assets.  

Additional MN Supplemental Aid (MSA) programs:

• MSA Housing Assistance - Monthly cash supplement (up to half of the SSI benefit rate) for MSA recipients who spend at least 40% of their income on housing.

• MSA Special Needs Grants - Additional cash supplement for MSA recipients to pay for medically prescribed special diets, rep payee services, guardian/conservator service fees, home repairs/furnishings/appliances.

Apply using MNBenefits or contact your local county or tribal human services office.  If requesting MSA Housing Assistance or MSA Special Needs Grants, mention them in the "notes" section.  A case worker will follow up. 

Also, see Cash for Adults Without Children and Cash for Adults Caring for Children

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers programs that provide income to those who retire, cannot work due to a disability or who were economically dependent on a deceased parent, spouse or child.  It also administers Medicare enrollment and eligibility determination.

To apply for Social Security or manage your benefits:

Create an online account for quick access to applications and other tools.

For in-person help, visit a field office in person or call 1-800-772-1213 (representatives available 8am-7pm).

Request a Benefit Verification Letter (proof of income) online.

Services to help with Social Security:

• Social Security Advocacy Services - Minnesotans who have a disability and housing insecurity are eligible for free assistance applying for benefits.

• Social Security Disability Attorneys - Some attorneys specialize in helping people apply for SSI and SSDI, usually taking a portion of the back-payments recipients receive as compensation.

• Representative Payee - An assigned person to help you manage your money (can be a friend/family).

Social Security Cards:  Social Security Cards are needed to apply for benefits, jobs, bank accounts and pay taxes.  

Replacing a lost card is free but requires:

• proof of identity (state-issued ID, passport, etc)

• proof of age and citizenship (birth certificate, passport, etc)

The four primary Social Security benefit programs are SSI, SSDI, Retirement and Survivors:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Provides monthly income for people with limited resources who are blind, 65 or older or have a qualifying disability.  The total amount depends on whether you have any other sources of income.  Apply online for SSI

Additional SSI Programs:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children - Monthly income to parents or guardians to help cover the extra costs associated with caring for a child under 18 with a disability.

• Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) - A program that lets SSI recipients explore employment options without losing their benefits.

• Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account - A tax-advantaged savings program that allows SSI recipients to accumulate savings in excess of standard SSI asset limits, provided they are used for qualified disability expenses.  This is a federal program managed by individual states.  

  • Also see:  ABLE to Work Act - Allows certain ABLE Account owners who can't contribute their earned income to retirement plan to bypass standard ABLE contribution limits.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Provides monthly payments to people unable to continue working due to a medical disability.  Amounts are based on how much you earned while you were working.  Apply online for SSDI  After applying, your state agency will notify you of an initial decision by mail in 3-6 months. 

Social Security Retirement Benefits

Provides monthly retirement income distributed to people over 62 who paid Social Security taxes while working.

Social Security Survivors Benefits

Provides monthly payments to replace the lost income of a spouse or caregiver who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS

• Social Security Family Benefits - A program that allows portions of a person's disability, retirement or survivors benefits to be paid to a spouse, divorced spouse, child or dependent parent.

• Representative Payee - A program that lets you assign a family member, trusted friend or professional to help you manage your Social Security income.

• The Social Security Administration handles the initial enrollment process and determines eligibility for Medicare.

Family Benefits Screening:  Bridge to Benefits

Families can use the 12 question Bridge to Benefits screening tool to see what benefit programs they might be eligible for. 

Family Resource Guide:  Help Me Connect 

Pregnant individuals and families with young children (infants through 8 years old) can use Help Me Connect to find services and resources in their local communities.

Child Care Ratings:  Child Care Aware

Child care hotline (888-291-9811) and quality-rating system for childcare providers.

OTHER FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDES:

Department of Education - Resources for families of school-age children.

Department of Children, Youth and Families  -  More resources for families with kids.

Also, see Cash for Adults Caring for Children.

Food Panties & Free Meals

Find local resources using the Hunger Solutions Help Map or call/text their help-line at 1-888-711-1151.

Medica & UCare Healthy Grocery Discounts

If you are a member of Medica ChoiceCare PMAP or UCare PMAP you are eligible for discounted groceries through the Healthy Savings program (Medica, UCare).

MA Meal Waiver

MA Waiver Recipients may be eligible for for medically prescribed meals and/or free meal delivery through Mom's Meals, Homestyle Direct, Meals on Wheels or other providers.  Talk to your Waiver Case Manager to apply.  If you don't have an MA Waiver, call Hennepin County Front Door (612-348-4111) to see if you are eligible.

Also see Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Financial Assistance for Transitions

Funding for furniture may be available through HSS Moving Expenses, Moving Home Minnesota, Waiver Transitional Services and/or MSA Special Needs Grant.

See Financial Assistance for Transitions.

Salvation Army

Can provide vouchers to those in need to Salvation Army thrift stores for furniture and household goods.

Bridging (Bloomington and Roseville, MN)

Help individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness by offering furniture, kitchenware, and other household goods at no cost.

Reach and Restore (Hopkins, MN)

Connects people in need to people with resources on a case by case basis in a variety of ways, include household or furniture items, help with job or housing searches, a repair, or clothing. 

To utilize, get a referral from any local organization or provider already working with the person in need. 

For other furniture resources in Minneapolis & Saint Paul see Section 1 of Handbook of the Streets.

The YMCA offers Financial Assistance for those with low incomes.

Health Plan Gym Memberships

Hennepin Health SNBC Plan (free YMCA membership)

• Not covered by the PMAP plan, but you are eligible for the SNBC plan if you have a disability.

Medica ChoiceCare PMAP (free "One Pass" membership)

UCare PMAP (up to $20 savings if visiting 12x monthly)

Human Animal Support Services

Directory of free or low cost pet support services.

Animal Humane Society Pet Helpline (952-435-7738)

Advice and resources.  M-F 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm.

For details on Minneapolis & Saint Paul pet resources, see Section 1-K of Handbook of the Streets.

Lifeline Program (aka "Obama phones")

Free or discounted phones, voice & data plans through Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless and others.

Affordable Connectivity Program

$30/mo off voice & data plans, $100 off a tablet.  Comcast Internet Essentials offers discounted high-speed internet for EBT Card Holders.

PCs for People

Free PCs for those with low-income.  To apply, see eligibility requirements.

Minnesota's Refugee Resettlement program 

Overseen by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and involves collaboration between government agencies and a network of non-profits and community organizations. 

Refugees may be eligible for:

• Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): Temporary financial support for up to eight months.

• Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA): Temporary healthcare coverage for up to eight months.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other public benefits.

MN Refugee and Immigrant Help Line:  651-318-0989 (9a-5p M-F)

Initially set up to provide COVID-19 vaccine support, callers can also get help with information on basic needs, distance learning support, employment, financial needs and the process towards citizenship.  ~  Help Line staff speak Amharic, Anuak, Arabic, French, Hindi, Karen, Lingala, Luganda, Mashi, Oromo, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. Language line help is available for any other language.

For details on Minneapolis & Saint Paul resources for immigrants, see Section 5-B of Handbook of the Streets.

Medical Cab Rides

Most insurance providers offer free cab rides to appointments for Medical Assistance recipients.  See here for more info.

Transit Assistance Program ($1 Bus Fare)

Metro Transit offers $1 bus fare to low income riders in the Twin Cities metro.  Enroll online here.

MA Waiver Lyft Pass

MA Waiver recipients may be eligible for a Lyft Ride Pass.  Talk to your Waiver Case Manager.

Metro Mobility 

Rides for those unable to use regular public transit due to a disability or health condition.  See here for eligibility and applications.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP)

Can help pay up to $1,400 per household in utility bills for renters and homeowners needing assistance.  Apply here.

Weatherization Assistance Program

Provides energy efficiency improvements to the homes of low-income families, reducing their energy costs.  Apply here.

MN Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program -

Provides a temporary partial wage replacement to Minnesota workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.  

To apply online or by phone, visit the applicant self-service system.

Veterans Benefits Administration

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers a wide range of benefits for veterans and their families, including health care, disability compensation, education benefits (like the GI Bill), and home loans.  

Learn more at the Veterans Benefits Administration website.

For details on Minneapolis & Saint Paul veterans resources, see Section 5-C of Handbook of the Streets.