Cash assistance

Hennepin County offers programs to supplement families' and individuals' incomes. The type of assistance people receive depends on their life circumstances, family size and type, and other factors. We can help you find the program that works best for you.

Apply for benefits

We're changing the way we serve you by offering services in a way that is more convenient for you. Apply for economic benefits whenever, wherever. Apply online or call 612-596-1300 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Upload documents online

Upload documents directly to your case with InfoKeep, a safe and secure website.

Digital access points

We're also adding technology tools in the community for people who aren't able to access online tools using their own personal devices. Using a digital access point, residents can:

• Access and complete online applications
• Scan and print Human Services documents
• Use a phone to contact a representative
• Register to vote

Find a digital access point

Assistance for adults without children

The general assistance program provides cash benefits for single adults, ages 18 to 64, who cannot support themselves. Participants must have lived in Minnesota for at least 30 days, be unable to work for at least 45 days, have little or no income or other resources, do not currently receive Supplemental Security Income, and do not have a minor, dependent child living in the household.

• Older than 55
• Temporarily or permanently ill
• Unemployable
• Learning-disabled
• Medically certified as having developmental disabilities or mental illness
• Needed in the home to care for another person
• Performing court-ordered services
• Living in group residential housing
• Displaced homemakers who are full time students
• Students who are older than 18, learning English at the high school level
• Youth who are younger than 18 and not living with parent, step-parent, or legal guardian
• People who have an application or appeal pending for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration

Acceptable personal assets

The asset limit for General Assistance is $10,000.

The following assets could count towards the asset limit:

• Cash
• Bank accounts (such as checking and savings accounts, debit cards, money market accounts, and matured certificates of deposits)
• Stocks and bonds that can be accessed without a financial penalty
• Vehicles (1 vehicle is excluded per assistance unit member who is age 16 or older)

Emergency programs

Emergency general assistance may provide assistance once a year for eligible individuals or families who are in a crisis situation. Emergency help may be provided for past-due rent or mortgage, utility bills, moving expenses, transportation costs, vital home repairs, appliance replacement or repair.

Assistance for families

Diversionary work program

We offer cash support and other resources to low-income families for as long as four months to help them actively look for jobs. The goal of the diversionary work program is to stabilize incomes so families do not need to apply for broader benefits from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).

Participants work with a job counselor to develop an employment plan before benefits can be issued. In a two-parent family, both must participate, and each family member must have a social security number or an application for one.

Participants may also be eligible for other programs, including food support, health care programs, child care assistance and child support.

Enrollment in the diversionary work program generally is required before participation in the Minnesota Family Investment program, with the following exceptions:

• Child-only cases
• A one-parent family that includes an infant younger than 12 weeks (this is a one-time exception)
• A minor caregiver without a high school diploma or its equivalent
• A caregiver who is older than 60, or a caregiver 18 or 19 years old without a high school diploma or its equivalent, who chooses to have an employment plan with an education option
• A family with a parent who already has received diversionary work program or Minnesota Family Investment Program benefits within the past 12 months

The amount of each family's cash grant depends on the number of people in the family, monthly household needs, personal needs allowance, and countable income. Applicants must provide verification of expenses including phone, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Once a grant amount has been determined, increases in income generally will not decrease the benefit, if the initial benefit amount was based on the best information available at the time. These benefits do not count toward the MFIP 60-month lifetime limit.

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

We help families by providing a cash income supplement, helping with food support, child care costs, health care coverage, and employment services. The goal is to reduce long-term public assistance use and to encourage personal responsibility.

Families may be referred when they first apply for assistance or after they finish four months of the diversionary work program. It can take up to 30 days to process an MFIP application. Benefits are limited to 60 months.

MFIP supports work. The program provides help with child care costs and medical coverage, in some cases as long as a year after the family transitions out of the program. Income-earning families also may receive additional incentives.

MFIP encourages personal responsibility. For most participants, program expectations include developing an employment plan with an employment services counselor. Failure to cooperate with program requirements can result in sanctions. The program has 60-month lifetime limit.

Household asset limits

The asset limit for the Diversionary Work Program and Minnesota Family Investment Program is $10,000.

The following assets could count towards the asset limit:

• Cash
• Bank accounts (such as checking and savings accounts, debit cards, money market accounts, and matured certificates of deposits)
• Stocks and bonds that can be accessed without a financial penalty
• Vehicles (1 vehicle is excluded per assistance unit member who is age 16 or older)

MFIP orientation video

Watch this video to complete the MFIP orientation requirement.

• English - MFIP orientation (YouTube)
• Hmoob (YouTube)
• Somaliga (YouTube)
• Español (YouTube)

Assistance for refugees

Refugee cash assistance is administered by metropolitan area resettlement agencies. To apply for assistance, refugees should contact the agencies that resettled them. It is available for immigrants' first eight months in the United States. When that period ends, they may apply for other assistance programs.

Eligibility

Refugees are defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These include people who have been

• Admitted as refugees under Section 207, or
• Paroled as refugee or asylee under Section 212(d)(5), or
• Granted asylum under Section 208, or
• Cuban and Haitian entrants, or
• Admitted as Amerasian under Amerasian Homecoming Act, or
• Victims of trafficking certified by the Office of Refugee Resettlement

Applicants also must be

• Single adults 18 years or older, or
• Married couples without children, or
• Pregnant women and their spouses, until they meet eligibility requirements for the Minnesota Family Investment Program, or
• Adults who are disabled or older than 65, until they are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Requirements

Participants who are disabled or 65 years or older are required to apply for Supplemental Security Income.

Health care assistance for refugees

Refugees receiving benefits are automatically eligible for refugee medical assistance if they are not already eligible for Medical Assistance (MA).

Assured Access provides a list of clinics that charge for medical services on a sliding fee scale.

Assistance for seniors and people with disabilities

Minnesota supplemental aid provides cash assistance to individuals who are over 18 and have been certified blind or disabled by the Social Security Administration, or singles and couples who are 65 years or older.

People who are blind or disabled must also be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or retired survivors disability insurance, or they must be certified as totally and permanently disabled by the State Medical Review Team.

Minnesota supplemental aid may be added to federal Supplemental Security Income to meet the personal needs of eligible people living independently.

Eligible recipients who move into licensed facilities for the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or for people with other disabilities may also be eligible to have monthly facility costs paid by the group residential housing program.

Get your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card

An EBT card gives you access to your cash benefits. It works like a debit card or at ATMs for cash only. Get more details about how to use your card by reading about the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card.

The State of Minnesota will mail your EBT card to you once you’re approved for cash benefits. Call Hennepin County at 612-596-1300 to discuss other options if you can't receive mail.

Replace your lost or stolen EBT card

Only the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families can issue a replacement card. Visit the EBT FAQ page to learn how to replace your card or get help if it stops working.

Renew cash assistance

Renewal requirements for SNAP and cash assistance programs have resumed.

How to renew

To renew your cash benefits, go to MNbenefits and click the "Apply Now" button. Individuals who are renewing their benefits will follow the same application process as those applying for benefits for the first time.

You will receive the Household Update Form (DHS-8107-ENG) in the mail even if you have already submitted your renewal application online. If you choose to complete the paper forms, once you have filled out and signed the form, return it to Hennepin County by uploading it through your InfoKeep account or to MNbenefits. You can also send your documents by fax or mail them.

• Fax: 612-288-2981
• Mail: Hennepin County Human Services Department, P.O. Box 107, Minneapolis, MN 55440

If you don't have access to these options, there are document drop boxes available at any Human Service Center.

Available drop boxes for residents

Northwest Human Service Center – Brooklyn Center
7051 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

• Main floor lobby 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only

Health Services Building – downtown Minneapolis
525 Portland Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55415

• Main floor lobby 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays only 

South Suburban Human Service Center – Bloomington
9600 Aldrich Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55420

• Outside building by Hennepin County entrance

South Minneapolis Human Service Center
2215 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407

• First floor 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays only

North Minneapolis Human Service Center
1001 Plymouth Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411

• Outside building near main entrance

You have the right to appeal

If you don't agree with an action taken on your case, you have the right to appeal.

File an appeal

There are several options to file.

Submit a handwritten request to appeal or use the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to Hennepin County:

• Mail
  Hennepin County Human Services Department
  PO Box 107
  Minneapolis, MN 55440
• Fax: 612-288-2981
• Upload to your account: MNbenefits
• Drop off: Any Hennepin County Human Service Center drop box

Submit the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Submission instructions on the form.

Timelines

Diversionary Work Program & Minnesota Family Investment Program

You must request the appeal hearing no more than:

• 30 days after getting a Minnesota Family Investment Program notice of intent to sanction (DHS-3175), or
• 30 days after getting the notice of proposed action, unless you show good cause for not making a request within that time. If you show good cause, you may appeal up to 90 days after getting the notice.

Minnesota supplement aid, general assistance, and housing support

You must request an appeal hearing in writing and state what county agency action you are appealing.

You must request the appeal hearing within 30 days of receiving a notice of proposed action, or show good cause for not requesting within that time. You may file an appeal up to 90 days after receiving the notice of proposed action if you show good cause for not filling within 30 days.

Help while waiting for the appeal

You can continue to receive assistance while waiting for the appeal to be heard. If you lose the appeal, you must pay back any assistance received during that time.

Contact

• Minnesota Department of Human Services Appeals office: 651-431-3600
• Hennepin County Economic Supports office: 612-596-1300