MINNESOTA

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Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP, is the state’s welfare reform program for helping low-income families with children reduce dependence on public assistance and move out of poverty through work.

Most people have to participate in a Diversionary Work Program (DWP) before they start to get MFIP benefits. This is to help parents find a job and obtain work rather than receive welfare.

How much cash assistance will I get in MN?

Eligibility for MFIP is based on family’s income and assets. A single mother of two with no other income may receive up to $778 per month in cash assistance ― for up to a period of 60 months.

MFIP Housing Assistance Grant

Beginning July 1, 2015, MFIP-eligible families who are not currently receiving public housing or assisted rental subsidies will also receive $110 each month to help pay for housing.

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.

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 ApplyMN  or fill out an application and submit it to your county or Tribal Nation human services office.

Minnesota Food HelpLine
(888) 711-1151

Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP)

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

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 Free School Lunch Program

Minnesota becomes 4th state to offer universal free school meals. The state passed a law 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, under the free meals program, lunches and breakfasts would be free to all Minnesota students from kindergarten through 12 grade, regardless of their family’s income level.

This ensures that all students have equal access to nutritious school lunches that comply with federal nutrition guidelines.

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.

Medical Assistance (MA) does not have a premium (monthly fee). However, members do have small co-pays for some services (cost sharing), usually $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. That’s about $3,065 a month for a family of three.

If you are pregnant, blind or have a disability, you may have a different income limit. If your income is more than the allowed income limit, you still may qualify using a spenddown .

A spenddown is like an insurance deductible. It is the amount you must pay towards medical bills before the state will start to pay.

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.

MinnesotaCare

MinnesotaCare is the state’s CHIP program that provides health care coverage for children from families who do not have access to Medicaid.

Services covered by MinnesotaCare include doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalization, prescriptions, eye exams, eye glasses, dental care and more.

Most families pay a monthly premium based on household size, income and the number of people getting coverage. For children under the age of 21, there is no monthly premium.

What is the income limit for MinnesotaCare?

MinnesotaCare has somewhat higher income limits than Medical Assistance at 288% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $6,396 a month for a family of three.

Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps parents with lower incomes pay for child care. Priority is given to families on MFIP — Minnesota’s welfare program.

Minnesota CCAP has many subprograms to help families including

1. MFIP Child Care, for parents on MFIP,
2. Transition Year Child Care, for parents in the first year after leaving MFIP.
3. Basic Sliding Fee  (BSF), for parents who do not qualify for MFIP Child Care or Transition Year Child Care.

Families that qualify for the CCAP can choose their own child care provider. Since it’s a subsidy, the county that you live in pays part of the cost of your child care and you have to pay a co-payment to the provider each month.

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

Families receiving MFIP meet the income limit for CCAP  if the family’s income is at or below 67% of the State Median Income (SMI) for their household size. All other families qualify at 47% of the State Median Income (SMI) or less at the time of application.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Minnesota?

Applications for CCAP can be done online at mnbenefits.mn.gov . 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 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 do I apply for WIC in Minnesota?

To apply for WIC benefits, you must visit a WIC clinic near you in person. If you need additional assistance finding a WIC clinic, please call (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 .

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.

As a condition of elibility, 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 unemployment benefits can I get 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 UI benefits either online or by phone using the Applicant Self-Service System , Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To file your claim over the phone, one of the following phone numbers:

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. This program provides job protections and partial wage replacement to employees who take leave for qualifying reasons.

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.

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.

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.

For Minnesota parents who welcomed a child into their home in 2025, applications are now open via the official paidleave.mn.gov 

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.

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.
5. Complete the FAFSA by the 30th day of the term.

Undocumented students may apply for the Minnesota State Grant by completing the MN Dream Act application . The application must be submitted no later than 30 days after the start of the semester for which the award is requested.

Alliss Scholarships

Adults who are returning to school to start or complete a degree may receive between $500 to 2,000 a year in scholarships to enroll in a bachelor’s program within the Minnesota State University system.

Alliss Scholarships may be used as “last-dollar” aid to cover remaining financial need after a student has received Pell Grant and/or Minnesota State Grant.

The procedure for selecting recipients varies from campus to campus. Please contact the financial aid office at the university you attend (or plan to attend) for more information.

Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program

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

To be eligible, you must demonstrate financial need AND are not 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.

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?

In addition to WFC, Minnesota has a refundable child tax credit worth up to $1,750  for each qualifying dependent under age 18, the highest of any state’s child credit to date.

How do I qualify for Minnesota Working Family Credit?

To see if you are eligible for the state credit, complete Schedule M1WFC, Minnesota Working Family Credit. To claim the credit, you must file a state tax return (Form M1, Individual Income Tax) and Schedule M1WFC.

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.