Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance Services provides support to low-income residents of Freeborn County. Eligibility is determined for public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Food Support, General Assistance and the Minnesota Family Investment Program.

The Freeborn County Department of Human Services, in partnership with the federal government, state Department of Human Services, County and other public, private, and community agencies throughout Minnesota, is an agency directed by law to assist those citizens whose personal or family resources are not adequate to meet their basic human needs. The Department is committed to helping them attain the maximum degree of self-sufficiency within their individual capabilities. To these ends, the Department will promote the dignity, safety, and rights of the individual, and will assure public accountability and trust through responsible use of available resources.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS?

To get started, visit Minnesota Human Services Online to use an online pre-screening tool to find out if you might qualify for benefits and to register for a user ID and password. This is optional.
 
To apply for cash, emergency or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP Food) programs, you will need to fill out a 

Combined Application Form (PDF).  You can access a packet to apply for cash and/or SNAP Food Support benefits by clicking here.

You may also receive a paper application by mail, fax, email, or pick one up in our office. We are also able to take these applications over the phone. In addition, you can apply online at MNbenefits. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE DAY WE GET PAGE 1 OF THE APPLICATION FORM WITH A NAME, ADDRESS, AND SIGNATURE IS THE DATE YOUR BENEFITS MAY BEGIN, IF ELIGIBLE. You can return your page 1 by mail, fax, email, in-person, or by using our drop box located at the front of our office building. We will need the remaining pages of your application to complete the application process either prior to or at the time of your interview. Interviews with a financial worker are required on all applications and can be done in person or by phone. 

Verifications and documents for eligibility purposes can be dropped off in the drop box outside of the Freeborn County Department of Human Services or sent as an email attachment to: im.dhs@co.freeborn.mn.us.

To apply for Health Care benefits, please visit www.MNSure.org to start the application process electronically. Paper applications are available by contacting our office.

To apply for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) you will need to fill out a Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF).

For more information on disability benefits, please visit Disability Benefits 101 Minnesota

For more information on housing benefits, please visit Housing Benefits 101 Minnesota
 

·  Diversionary Work Program (DWP) - When most families first apply for cash assistance, they will participate in the Diversionary Work Program, or DWP. This is a 4 month program that helps parents go immediately to work.

·  Food Support Program (SNAP) - This program helps low-income people with their food costs.

·  General Assistance (GA) - This program serves as Minnesota's primary safety net for single adults and childless couples. The GA Program provides monthly cash grants for persons who cannot provide for themselves and whose income and resources are less than program limits.

·  Housing Support (HS) - This program is a state-funded income supplement program that pays for room-and-board costs for low-income adults who have been placed in a licensed or registered setting with which a county human service agency has negotiated a monthly rate.

·  Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) - This program is Minnesota's Cash and Food Assistance program for families who need assistance.

·  Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) - This program is a state funded program that provides a monthly cash supplement to people who are aged, blind or disabled and who receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

·  Medical Assistance (MA) - This program assists children under the age of 21, parents or relative caretakers of dependent children, pregnant women, people who are 65 or older and people who have a disability.

·  Health Care Programs -There are a variety of health care programs available to assist specific groups of people.  These include children and adults, parents or relative caretakers of dependent children, pregnant women, people with a disability, people receiving at-home care services, those in nursing homes, etc.  The Department of Human Services website is a good source of information on these programs.

·  Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) - This program coordinates services to assist refugees in making the transition to life in the United States. These services include resettlement and placement, cash and medical assistance, and employment and social services.

·  Help Paying for Child Care - This program provides financial assistance to help families with low incomes pay for child care so that parents may pursue employment or education leading to employment, and that children are well cared for and prepared to enter school.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audio tape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF) (AD-3027) found online at: www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov

View 2020-2021 Access Plan (PDF)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.