Beltrami County Income Maintenance

Cash Assistance

Diversionary Work Program (DWP): DWP is a four month program that provides services and supports to eligible families to help them move immediately to work rather than go on public assistance. The four months of DWP do not count towards the 60-month lifetime limit for the MFIP program, the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Failure to meet employment service requirements may result in termination of your DWP.

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP): MFIP is Minnesota's program that assists low-income families with children to economic stability through work. The MFIP grant includes a cash grant, food assistance; there may also be employment services requirements and eligibility for child care assistance. Parents must meet employment service requirements or their MFIP grant will be reduced.

General Assistance (GA): GA is a cash program for single adults with no minor children living in the home. This program helps Minnesotans with little or no income meet their basic needs. It offers a small monthly cash grant to people with serious illnesses, disabilities, or other issues that limit their ability to work. GA is "interim aid" to help while other sources of income are put in place such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI).

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA): MSA provides monthly cash support to help meet basic living expenses, such as clothing, utilities, housing, or special medical diets. It is mainly for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Housing Support (formerly Group Residential Housing): Housing Support is a monthly payment directly to a facility. It pays for room and board for some people who cannot live in their own home. Housing Support is for people who are age 65 and older, disabled and age 18 and older, blind or unable to work.

To get cash assistance, you must complete a Combined Application Form in our office or on line at MNbenefits, meet the specific program guidelines and be within the income and asset guidelines.

Use the Eligibility Screening Tool provided by Bridge to Benefits to see if you or someone else may be eligible for public work support programs. It will ask you a few simple questions but will NOT ask you for information that identifies you. It's easy, confidential and free!

Documents can be uploaded for: Cash Assistance, Food Support, Medical Programs, Emergency Assistance Programs and Child Care Assistance.

Text Messaging and E-mail Consent Form