Economic supports, cash, food: Program overview

Helps Minnesota parents quickly find work so that they do not need to go on the Minnesota Family Assistance Program. When families first apply for cash assistance, most are enrolled in this four-month program. More information is in the Diversionary Work Program: Emphasizing employment DHS-5848 (PDF). 

Provides a small monthly cash grant to people without children who do not make enough to support themselves and whose incomes and resources are very low. More information is in the General Assistance DHS-6751(PDF).  

Helps parents meet their basic needs, while they move toward financial stability and self-sufficiency through work. Parents are expected to work, and are supported with both cash and food assistance for their families, with a program lifetime limit of 60 months. More information is in the Facts about the Minnesota Family Investment Program DHS-5830 (PDF).

In partnership with Hunger Solutions Minnesota, the program provides funds to nearly 300 Minnesota food shelves to purchase nutritious food and fund operating and administrative costs. These food shelves provide individuals and families with resources as they work toward economic stability and self-sufficiency. More information is in the Minnesota Food Shelf Program DHS-5498 (PDF), or by calling 651-431-3821.

Provides cash assistance to help adults who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits meet their basic needs. More information is in the Minnesota Supplemental Aid DHS-6722 (PDF). 

Provides guidance on better serving Minnesotans in need of health food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The coalition is a public-private partnership working to raise awareness and increase participation in nutrition assistance programs. The coalition is comprised of numerous experts from a range of Minnesota organizations. More information about the coalition's work can be found on the Economic supports, cash food: News, initiatives, reports and work groups page. 

Refugee families with children in Minnesota are eligible to apply for a cash program  (Minnesota Family Investment Program) available to residents with low incomes.

Refugees  who are single or married without children are eligible to apply for Refugee Cash Assistance for up to 8 months after arrival in the United States while  looking for work. For information on RCA eligibility, see Combined Manual section 0030.03 (Refugee Cash Assistance 

All refugees are eligible to apply for health care programs available to residents with low incomes. Refugee Medical Assistance may provide coverage to refugees who do not qualify for Medical Assistance for up to 8 months after arrival in the United States. For information on eligibility, see ,0030.06 (Refugee Medical Assistance) and the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual. 

Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Law ensures young people who are sexually exploited are treated as victims and survivors, not criminals. Learn about DHS's role in supporting and securing safety for child victims of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services contracts with agencies throughout the state to help children and adults apply for Social Security disability benefits. More information can be found at Social Security Advocacy Services.

Helps Minnesotans with low incomes afford the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. More information is in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps people with low incomes buy food DHS-5738 (PDF).  

Helps Minnesotans transition from public assistance to self-sufficiency by preparing for and obtaining gainful employment. Participants receive services from employment service providers assigned by their local county agencies. More information is on the department's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training webpage. 

Distributes U.S. Department of Agriculture goods to Minnesotans with low incomes who use on-site meal programs, food shelves and shelters. Seven food banks serving Minnesota distribute millions of pounds of food products annually. Funds are used to cover costs associated with the distribution of these commodities, including warehousing, transporting, tracking, allocating and providing technical assistance. More information on The Emergency Food Assistance Program webpage, or by calling the Office of Economic Opportunity at 651-431-3821.

The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) seeks to remove the barriers imposed by poverty on the development of individuals and families. Delivered by community-based agencies, these programs support people as they fulfill their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter, and attain the skills, knowledge and motivation to gain self-sufficiency. OEO administers nearly 300 grants annually, totaling approximately $35 million, to more than 150 grantee organizations for programs designed to assist people in poverty. The key program areas are community action, food and nutrition, homeless and housing, early childhood facilities programs and Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota. Office of Economic Opportunity programs have a special emphasis on working together with community partners as a collective antipoverty effort. Find program details here.

This Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program, commonly known as FAIM, helps working Minnesotans with low incomes increase their savings, build financial assets and enter the financial mainstream. It combines matched savings accounts with personal finance education, asset-specific training and ongoing coaching. This approach helps working families acquire their assets, improve their financial capabilities and increase their economic security. State funds leverage federal funds dollar-for-dollar, and support the financial match for savings accounts, and financial coaching. The program is managed by the department's Office of Economic Opportunity, which works through a statewide network of 23 organizations, including Community Action Agencies and community-based nonprofits. For more information, see Asset development: Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program fact sheet DHS-6725 (PDF), or MinnesotaFAIM.com.