Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping caregivers move to financial stability through work. Caregivers are expected to work, and are supported in working with both cash and food assistance. Most families have a lifetime limit of 60 months on MFIP. When families first apply for cash assistance, they usually start in the Diversionary Work Program (DWP) before enrolling in MFIP.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Meet an initial income test
- Meet an initial asset limit of $10,000 (minus eligible deductions)
- Provide needed verifications
Diversionary Work Program (DWP)
The Diversionary Work Program (DWP) is a four-month program that helps Minnesota caregivers find jobs. The goal is to help caregivers quickly find work so that they do not need to go on the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). When families first apply for cash assistance, most will be enrolled in this program. Caregivers get help paying for housing and other bills, along with employment services to help them find full-time work.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Meet an initial income test
- Meet an initial asset limit of $10,000 (minus eligible deductions)
- Provide needed verifications
There is a mobile app, known as WF1 Connect, that is available to all participants who are eligible for MFIP and DWP!
Participants who choose to use the app can message their assigned Eligibility Worker, Child Care Worker, and Employment Services Worker through the app in an easy and convenient way. Participants can also securely send and receive important case information and documents, avoiding loss of services, as well as access a directory of local resources. If you are a participant of MFIP or DWP and would like to use this app, contact your Employment Services Worker today to receive access to the app!
For further information regarding the WF1 Connect app, visit the Employment and Economic Development website to see the Participant How-to Guide and to view the online Video that shows a participant how to use the app.
General Assistance (GA)
General Assistance (GA) helps Minnesotans with little or no income meet their basic needs. It offers a small monthly cash grant to people with serious illness, disabilities or other circumstances that limit their ability to work. General Assistance is interim aid to help until you find another source of income. Benefit amounts depend on where you live, who you live with and if you have other income. People who receive GA also may qualify for federal disability benefits and are encouraged to apply. Learn more about federal disability benefits.
To qualify, you must meet income and asset limits listed below, and you must be unable to work enough to support yourself because you:
- Are ill or have a disability (permanent or temporary)
- Are taking care of someone with a disability or illness
- Are in a mental, physical, or dug rehabilitation facility
- Are determined unemployable by a vocational specialist and the county
- Are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or waiting on an SSDI or SSI appeal
- Are over 55 and can't get a job because of your age
- Have a learning disability
- Have a drug or alcohol dependency
- Are a displaced homemaker who is a full-time student
- Are doing court-ordered services that prevent you from working at least four hours a day
- Are over age 18, attending high school, and English isn't your first language, or
- Are under age 18 and not living with your family
Income Limits (after subtracting allowable expenses) are:
- $203 for one person
- $250 for a child under 18 not living with your family
- $260 for a couple
The asset limit is $10,000 per person.
Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) is an income supplement for people who receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, or who could get SSI if their income was not above the SSI limit. The monthly benefit may also cover special needs payments for people who qualify. Special needs payments may be provided for medically prescribed diets, guardian or conservator fees, and some home repairs or replacement of household furniture and appliances. MSA Housing Assistance also may be available for qualifying MSA recipients to help pay for high housing costs. People who receive MSA also may qualify for federal disability benefits and are encouraged to apply. Learn more about federal disability benefits.
To qualify, you must be:
- Age 18 or older
- Getting SSI, or eligible to get it except that your income is too high
If your income is too high for SSI, you may qualify if you meet one of these criteria:
- Are age 65 or older
- Are blind
- Have a disability under SSI criteria
You must also meet the asset limit of:
- $2,000 for an SSI recipient
- $10,000 for a non-SSI recipient
To apply for Cash Assistance, come into any county or tribal agency and complete the Combined Application Form, have a Combined Application Form mailed to you, Complete an online Combined Application Form, or complete an application through MNBenefits.
An interview is required and can be completed by phone or in-person.