BLUE EARTH COUNTY

HUMAN SERVICES

Financial Assistance

This division of Human Services provides financial assistance to persons who qualify. Persons must fill out a formal application in order to have eligibility determined. For more information or to request an application for financial assistance call (507) 304-4222.

• Cash Assistance Programs
  
• Health Care Programs
  
• Food Programs
  
• Emergency Programs
  
• Other Financial Assistance Programs

• Apply MN

  ApplyMN is Minnesota's secure, online system you can use to apply for health care, cash assistance, SNAP (food support), emergency help, and child care assistance programs.

   

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Cash Assistance Programs

• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP): MFIP is a combination of both cash and food assistance. It is a work-focused program with a goal of helping families move towards self-sufficiency through employment.
• Diversionary Work Program (DWP):  DWP is a short-term work focused program for families.  It is a four month program to reduce the risk of needing longer term assistance under MFIP. 
• General Assistance (GA): GA provides monthly cash assistance to people who cannot work due to a disability, illness, age, etc. People eligible for GA are automatically eligible for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC).
• Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (MSA): MSA provides a monthly supplement to people over 65, blind, or disabled and who are receiving Supplemental or Social Security Income (SSI). People on MSA are automatically eligible for Medical Assistance (MA).
• Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): RCA provides financial assistance to refugees ineligible for SSI.
• Work Benefit Program (WB): A cash benefit for families who have exited DWP or MFIP and are working a required number of hours.

Health Care Programs

• Medical Assistance (MA): Nationally called Medicaid, this program pays for medical care for low-income people under 21 and over 65 years of age. There are 27 subprograms to Medical Assistance for which this program pays when a person is eligible. Medical Assistance pays for long-term care.
• General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC): GAMC is a state program which provides medical care for people between the ages of 21 and 65 and who are not eligible for the Federal Medical Assistance Program.

Food Programs

• Food Stamps: Food stamps are coupons or electronic benefits used to buy food. They cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or pet food; nor can they be used to buy non-food items.
• Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP): This state program provides food assistance to non-citizens who do not qualify for the Federal Food Stamp Program or the food portion of MFIP.  (State Food Support Website)

Emergency Programs

• Low Income Stabilization Program (LISP): LISP Provides emergency help for families with children. The emergency must threaten the health and safety of a child. LISP is limited to once in 18 months.
• Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA): EMSA provides emergency assistance to aged, blind, or disabled persons who receive MSA and face an emergency situation that threatens the persons health and/or safety. You can receive EMSA only once in 12 months.
• Emergency General Assistance (EGA): EGA provides help to people without children who are in a crisis situation, such as fires, floods, evictions, and utility shutoffs. You can only receive EGA once in 12 months.
• Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA): EMA provides medical coverage in emergency situations only for people who are not eligible for MA due to immigration status.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

• Group Residential Housing (GRH): GRH pays room and board for a group living situation which has a fixed rate contract with a county. This includes foster care settings for adults. It does not include shelters or medical care facilities.
• Child Support and Paternity (IVD): Assists in establishing paternity for children and in the collection of child support. Locates absent parents. Recipients of MFIP and MA are required to use this service. Others can apply for this service for a one-time fee of $25.

  If you have questions regarding Child Support payments, please contact the Payment Center at 1 (800) 657-3512. You will need your 4-character PIN number and your 10-digit MCI number to access your account.

Related Links:

DHS Child Support Enforcement

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