MINNESOTA

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) is the state’s primary welfare-to-work program low-income families with children and pregnant women.

Monthly support includes a combination of cash and food assistance, typically issued via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card — up to $1,430 per month for a family of three.

How much cash assistance will I get in MN?

For a family of three, MFIP provides a maximum cash grant of $778 and food assistance of $652 per month, subject to a lifetime limit of 60 months.

Beginning July 1, 2015, eligible families who are not currently receiving public housing or assisted rental subsidies may also receive $117 each month to help pay for housing.

How do I apply for MFIP?

Applications for MFIP can be submitted online through MN Benefits  or in person at your local DHS office in the county or Tribal district where you live.¹

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Economic Assistance Customer Service
(651) 431-4050

Minnesota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Minnesota SNAP is a county-run, state-supervised federal program that helps low-income Minnesotans get the food they need for sound nutrition and a well-balanced diet.

The program serves low-income families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working or unemployed people of all ages.

In Minnesota, SNAP and cash assistance are often combined under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), with most families receiving a food portion through MFIP.

What is the income limit for food stamps in MN?

Most families in Minnesota with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $4,442 a month for a family of three, may qualify for food stamps.

How do I apply for food stamps in MN?

You can apply for SNAP online through MN Benefits  or fill out an application and submit it to your county or Tribal Nation human services office.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Economic Assistance Customer Service
(651) 431-4050

Minnesota Food HelpLine
Food Shelf & Meal Program Referrals
(888) 711-1151

Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP)

Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP) provides food assistance to certain non-citizens age 50 or older who do not qualify for SNAP due to citizenship requirements.

To qualify for MFAP, applicants must meet all of the following:

• Live in Minnesota
• Be eligible for SNAP except for the U.S. citizenship requirement
• Be a qualified noncitizen or a noncitizen lawfully residing in the United States
• Not be enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program

MFAP generally follows the same policies and procedures as SNAP, except for rules that make noncitizens ineligible. Income limits and deductions are the same as those used for SNAP.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Economic Assistance Customer Service
(651) 431-4050

Minnesota Free School Lunch Program

Minnesota became 4th state to offer universal free school meals. The state passed a law in 2023 that will provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income.

Before the pandemic, Minnesota students were only eligible for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches if their household income is 130% (free) or 185% (reduced) of the federal poverty guidelines.

Are school lunches still free in Minnesota?

Yes, through the Minnesota Free School Meals Program, school lunches and breakfasts remain free to all Minnesota students from kindergarten through 12 grade, regardless of family income.

Minnesota Department of Education
School Nutrition Programs
(800) 366-8922

Minnesota Medical Assistance

Medical Assistance (MA) is Minnesota’s Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to low-income Minnesotans, including children and families, pregnant women, adults without children, seniors and people who are blind or have a disability.

Most enrollees pay no monthly premium. However, members do have small co-payments for certain services (cost sharing), typically $1–$3.

What is the income limit for medical assistance in MN?

As Minnesota is expanding Medicaid coverage, nearly all uninsured Minnesotans age 19—64 with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level may now gain coverage.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Minnesota?

Minnesota is operating a State-Based Marketplace, known as MNsure , through which you can apply for Medicaid, MinnesotaCare or other private health insurance, except for people with disabilities and seniors.

If you are applying for coverage for someone aged 65 or older, visit this page  or click here  if you are applying for coverage for someone with a disability.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Medical Assistance Help Desk
(651) 431-2670

MinnesotaCare

As of January 1, 2026, undocumented immigrant adults are generally no longer eligible  for MinnesotaCare, though undocumented children under 18 may still qualify.

MinnesotaCare is the state’s CHIP program that provides health care coverage for children from families who earn too much for Medicaid.

Covered services may include doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalization, prescriptions, eye exams, eye glasses, dental care and more.

Unlike Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare requires a monthly premium based on income, capped at $80 per person. Small out-of-pocket costs may apply for certain services.

What is the income limit for MinnesotaCare?

MinnesotaCare has somewhat higher income limits than Medical Assistance (MA) at 200% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,442 a month for a family of three.

There is no specific open enrollment period for MinnesotaCare. You can apply for the program at any time during the year through MNsure .

Minnesota Department of Human Services
MinnesotaCare Help Desk
(651) 431-2670

Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps low-income families pay for child care so parents can work, look for jobs, or go to school, with assistance covering children under 13 (or 15 with special needs).

Minnesota CCAP includes several subprograms designed to support families with child care costs, depending on their circumstances:

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, income limits  for child care assistance depend on the program a family is receiving. Families must have a household income of 47% of the State Median Income (SMI) or less at the time of application. If the family receives MFIP, the higher income limit applies at 67% SMI.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Minnesota?

Applications for CCAP are available online at MN Benefits . In some counties, there is often a waiting list in place so it is best to apply as soon as possible to get on the list.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
(651) 431-3800

Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program

Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible students with children under 12 to help pay for child care while pursuing a postsecondary education.

To be considered, applicants must demonstrate financial need AND are not currently receiving assistance under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).

The maximum award amount is $6,500 per eligible child per academic year. The amount of the award, however, cannot exceed 40 hours of child care per week per eligible child.

Interested students must first complete either the FAFSA or the MN Dream Act application, then submit an application through the Minnesota Aid Student Portal  (MNAid).

Minnesota Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Minnesota WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services, at no cost, to Minnesota families who qualify.

The program serves pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children in Minnesota whose gross income falls below certain limits; and who are at risk for nutritional deficiencies.

What is the income limit for WIC in Minnesota?

WIC serves women, infants, and children in Minnesota whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,109 per month for a family of three.

Families who are already eligible to participate in any of the following programs: Medicaid, MFIP, SNAP, and Energy Assistance are automatically eligible for the WIC Program without proof of income.

How much does WIC pay per month in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, children ages 1—4 will now receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.

How do I apply for WIC in Minnesota?

To apply for WIC, you must attend an in-person certification appointment at a local WIC clinic. If you need help finding a nearby clinic, please call

Minnesota Department of Health
WIC Clinic Locator / Referral Line
(800) 942-4030

Minnesota Energy Assistance Program

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay home heating costs for low-income households with a direct, one-time payment directly to their heating vendor.

Eligible households may receive up to $1,400, depending on household income and fuel costs. Those with the lowest incomes and the highest cost for energy will get the most help paying their bills.

What is the income limit for energy assistance in Minnesota?

Eligibility for energy assistance is limited to households with incomes at or below 50% of the State Median Income (SMI). For example, a family of three could earn up to $5,040 per month and still qualify.

How do I claim Minnesota Energy Assistance Program?

EAP service providers include Community Action Programs, counties, tribal governments, and non-profits serve all areas of Minnesota. To apply for assistance, you need to contact your local EAP service provider .

Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2026, or until available funds are depleted.

Minnesota Department of Commerce
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(651) 539-1500

For help finding your local EAP provider, call
(800) 657-3710

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides a temporary partial wage replacement to workers in Minnesota who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

To be eligible, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and meet the state’s minimum earnings thresholds, which generally include earnings in more than one quarter.

How much do I get for unemployment in Minnesota?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $948 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How do I apply for unemployment in Minnesota?

You can apply for unemployment benefits either online or by phone using the Applicant Self-Service System , Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to actively seek suitable employment each week that you are collecting benefits.

Minnesota Paid Leave

Minnesota’s Paid Leave law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The program provides job protection and partial wage replacement for employees who take leave for qualifying reasons.

Qualifying reasons include bonding with a new child, a serious health condition, caring for a family member, and personal safety issues such as domestic abuse or sexual assault.

Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of medical leave and up to 12 weeks of family leave within a 12-month period, with a combined maximum of 20 weeks.

How much is Minnesota Paid Leave?

Most people will receive between 55% and 90% of their regular wages while on leave, with a maximum amount currently set at $1,423 per week. Payments are issued once a week after a claim is approved.

Who is eligible for Paid Leave in Minnesota?

To be eligible, you must have earned at least $3,900 during the last 12 months. This is the minimum earnings threshold required for employees to be eligible for benefits under the program.

Eligible Minnesota workers can apply for benefits through the paidleave.mn.gov  portal as early as 60 days before the leave start date.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Paid Leave Contact Center
(651) 556-7777

Minnesota State Grant

Minnesota State Grant  provides need-based financial aid to Minnesota residents attending eligible colleges or universities in the state, with funds that do not need to be repaid.

Award amounts are determined based on demonstrated financial need, enrollment status, and the allowable cost of attendance at their institution.

Students are expected to cover at least 50% of their total cost of attendance out of savings, earnings, loans or other assistance from school or private sources.

Who is eligible for MN State Grant?

To be considered for the Minnesota State Grant, students must:

1. Be a Minnesota resident.
2. Demonstrate the required level of financial need as determined through the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application.
3. Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in one of the 130+ eligible colleges or universities in Minnesota (public, private or tribal).
4. Take at least 3 credits per term.

How to apply for Minnesota State Grant?

To be considered for a specific semester, students must complete the FAFSA no later than 30 days after the start of the semester for which the award is requested.

Students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA can apply for a Minnesota State Grant by completing the Minnesota Dream Act Application .

Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
(800) 657-3866

Minnesota North Star Promise Scholarship

North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship is a “last-dollar” program that provides free college tuition to Minnesota students who attend any public or tribal college in Minnesota.

The program is intended to help cover the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.

NSP is open to all Minnesota resident students with a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) below $80,000, as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

There is no separate application. Students must complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act  by the 30th day of the term to be considered.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
(651) 355-0616

Minnesota Working Family Credit

Minnesota Working Family Credit (WFC) is a refundable credit for working individuals and families whose income is below a certain level and is claimed when filing a Minnesota income tax return.

Minnesota’s WFC is unique from most other states because its formula applies a percentage of a claimant’s earned income  rather than a percentage of their federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The credit is calculated as 4% of the first $9,480 of earned income in tax year 2025, with a maximum credit of $379 per eligible taxpayer.

How much is the earned income credit in Minnesota?

How do I claim for Minnesota Working Family Credit?

To claim the state credit, you must file a state tax return (Form M1, Individual Income Tax) and attach Schedule M1WFC, Minnesota Working Family Credit to your return.²

I qualify for the Federal EITC. Does that mean I also qualify for Minnesota’s Working Family Credit?

Not necessarily. Minnesota’s rules are different from the federal rules. As a result, there are circumstances when you may qualify for the federal credit, but not for the state credit.

Minnesota Child Tax Credit

Beginning with the 2025 tax year, eligible families can opt to receive a portion of their anticipated credit in three advance payments  before filing their next return.

As Kiplinger has reported ³, Minnesota currently offers the largest state child tax credit in the country, allowing eligible families to get up to $1,750 per eligible child.

The Minnesota Child Tax Credit is a fully refundable state tax credit, meaning you can receive the full amount as a refund even if you do not owe any income tax.

The credit is phased out if your income is over $37,910 for Married Filing Jointly, or over $31,950 for other filers. The credit amount gradually decreases for incomes above these limits.

To claim the credit, you must file a Minnesota income tax return and complete Schedule M1CWFC, Minnesota Child and Working Family Credits.²