Apply For Minnesota TANF Benefits
Learn how to apply for Minnesota TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), may help you become self-supportive while receiving monthly cash benefits to meet your everyday needs such as rent, utilities, clothes, transportation, or additional expenses.
Sometimes you may not be eligible to receive TANF for yourself, but a child or children in your household may. The TANF program is administered by the Department of Human Services. In most cases, in order to qualify for TANF you must meet both types of eligibility, categorical and financial.
Additionally, to qualify for TANF there are work requirements. The MN TANF program requires most adults be employed or participate in certain work-related activities, which you will be assigned for a certain number of hours on a weekly basis in order to continue receiving TANF benefits.
The total number of hours needed to fulfill your work activity requirement depends on your family composition. Qualified state residents are required to produce information including household income, age, citizenship and resources.
Only household members who are eligible for Minnesota TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for MN TANF benefits, view the information below. If you still have questions or issues, then contact TANF Minnesota.
The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through work. Parents 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.
Minnesota TANF eligibility
MFIP is for families with children and pregnant women. To qualify, your family must:
- Meet an initial income test
- Meet an initial asset limit of $10,000
- Provide needed verification's
You may own up to $10,000 in assets and qualify for MFIP. Your worker can tell you what property is counted toward the limit. They don't count one vehicle per member of the assistance unit who is 16 years old or older. They do count additional vehicles as part of the $10,000 asset limit. Your worker can give you more information.
Lifetime limitMost parents with minor children only get cash help for a total of 60 months.
Employment servicesMost people work with a job counselor to create an employment plan. If you are younger than 20 and have not completed high school or any equivalency program, you may need to finish your education.
Your job counselor or social worker will help you make a plan to get your high school diploma or go to work. You may get child care help while you are looking for work, going to school or working.
Cash and food assistanceCash and food benefits are issued automatically through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Benefits change depending on your income. You are better off working when you are on MFIP.
When you get a job, the first $65 you earn does not count. After that, half of the rest of your earnings do not count in deciding the amount of your benefits.
Apply for Minnesota TANF
You can apply for the Minnesota TANF program online at applymn.dhs.mn.gov. Or if you prefer, you can download a copy of the TANF application and submit it to your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office. To view a list of locations, find a DHS office near you.
I was denied TANF benefits. What can I do?State and local agencies are responsible for establishing the eligibility criteria and procedures that apply in their programs, not the Federal government. If you disagree with a decision regarding welfare benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. For more information about your state's appeals procedures, contact the MN TANF office.