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Community Services- Financial Assistance

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1. Can I apply for cash, food and medical assistance online?

Yes. ApplyMN is Minnesota’s secure, online system you can use to apply for cash assistance, SNAP (food support), emergency help, and child care assistance programs. To apply for health care coverage, inquire at mnsure.org.

2. What programs require a face-to-face interview?

Emergency Assistance and certain Cash Assistance programs (MFIP and DWP, both family cash programs) typically require a face-to-face interview. Those interviews are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Interviews for food and other cash programs can be conducted as a scheduled interview over the telephone.

3. Who qualifies for help with the cost of a funeral?

Any Crow Wing County resident that does not have enough funding to cover the cost of a basic funeral and burial and meets the required asset limitations may qualify for help with the cost of a funeral. There is a maximum the county can pay. A family member or friend can apply for this program. Please contact the county office for more information and to receive an application.

Click to access the county burial info/application

4. How do I apply for health care coverage?

Inquire via mnsure.org. If you need assistance in applying for health care, you may contact a MNsure navigator to set up an appointment or you can contact your county office for more information. For contact information and available dates for a navigator or if you are 65 or over, certified disabled through Social Security Administration, or are receiving Medicare, please contact your county office for the appropriate application.

5. What is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)?

SNAP can help you get the food you need for sound nutrition and well-balanced meals. The program issues electronic benefits that can help stretch your food budget. SNAP is not intended to meet all of your food budget needs.

6. What is DWP (Diversionary Work Program)?

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.

7. What is 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 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.

8. What is MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program)?

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, and employment services. Parents must meet work rules immediately or their MFIP grant will be reduced.

9. What is MSA (Minnesota Supplemental Aid)?

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).

10. Who qualifies for Emergency Assistance?

Emergency help gives aid to a family with a defined emergency such as an eviction, utility disconnect, foreclosure, or loss from a fire. If you quality, this funding can be provided once in a 12-month period. For more information on emergency assistance, please call our office at (218) 824-1250 or stop in our office Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to see if you qualify.

11. How do I apply for Energy (fuel) Assistance?

Lutheran Social Services of Brainerd maintains the Energy Assistance program for Crow Wing County. Please contact them toll free at 800-828-5902 or at (218) 829-5000.

12. What is GRH (Group Residential Housing)?

GRH is a state-funded program that pays for room and board costs for low-income elderly and adults with disabilities living in some licensed or registered community-based settings. The program aims to reduce and prevent institutional residence or homelessness.

13. What is EW (Elderly Waiver)?

The EW program funds home and community-based services for people age 65 and older who are eligible for MA and require the level of care provided in a nursing home but choose to lve in the community.

14. What is AC (Alternative Care)?

The (AC) Alternative Care Program is a state-funded program that supports certain home and community-based services for older Minnesotans, age 65 and over, who are at risk of nursing home placement and have low levels of income and assets. The program is administered by counties.

15. What is an Asset Assessment?

An Asset Assessment is a list of all assets owned by a married couple on a certain date. A county worker uses the information to decide the amount of assets a person's spouse can keep. The amount of assets will not county toward the asset limit for the person applying for Medical Assistance payment of long-term care (LTC) services. LTC services include nursing home care and services through the Elderly Waiver (EW) or Alternative Care (AC) program.

16. How long does it take until I know that I am approved or not?

The state typically allows the counties up to 30 days for cash or food programs and up to 45 days for health care programs. Those processing times are dependent on eligibility and the time it takes for the client to submit the necessary verifications.

17. Is there any help with medical bills if I am disable AND working?

Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) allows working people with disabilities to qualify for MA using higher income and asset limits. To qualify, you must be certified disabled by Social Security Administration or the State Medical Review Team (SMRT); be employed and have the required taxes withheld or paid from earned income; have monthly earnings of more than $65 (there is no upper limit); meet the MA-EPD asset limit; pay a premium, if required; and pay an unearned income obligation, if required.

18. Can I provide verifications online with my application?

Yes. ApplyMN links to a list of verifications required for each ApplyMN program. Applicants are given the option to electronically attach verifications to the application before they submit it.

19. Will I need to come into the office and see a worker if I want health care assistance only?

No. There is no requirement for a face-to-face interview for any health care program. A worker will contact you if additional verifications are needed.

20. May I get a receipt to show I submitted verifications for my cash, food, or medical case?

Yes, we will provide a receipt upon your request.