The Family Support Grant Program provides cash grants to families of children, under 25 years of age with a certified disability, residing in the family home. The goal of the program is to prevent or delay the out-of-home placement of children and promote family health and social well-being by enabling access to family-centered services and supports.
Eligibility requirements
The Family Support Grant is available to children:
- Younger than 25 years old
- Who live in their biological or adoptive family home.
- Whose family has an annual adjusted gross income that is less than $130,807 per year (effective Jan. 1, 2025), except in cases where extreme hardship is demonstrated
- Who have been certified disabled.
Currently, people receiving any waiver services, Personal Care Assistance (PCA) or Consumer Support Grant are not eligible for the Family Support Grant Program.
Applying for the grant
Families can contact their county social worker or the Family Support Grant coordinator to request an application. Once returned, the application will be reviewed and scored based upon need. Then, the applicant is placed on the Family Support Grant Waiting List based on their rating and needs. You will be contacted by Dakota County staff if you are awarded a grant
Grant amounts
Recipients may receive a maximum of $3,113.99.
Grant options
There are two options to receive your grant funding.
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Ongoing monthly: This type of grant is for families who have ongoing needs and expenses that occur on a regular basis, such as respite care.
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One-time lump sum: This type of grant is for families who want to apply part or all of an ongoing grant towards the cost of one or more specific high-cost items, such as adaptive devices, special equipment and home modifications. One-time lump sum grants are limited to $3,113.99 per year.
What grants can be used for
The grant must be spent on services and items that are directly related to the child's disability. Only expenses that are beyond typical cost of caring for a child of similar age may be covered.
Families must use grant funds to purchase services and items:
- Described in their child’s assessment or service plan
- Not available through other funding sources or other community programs
- That support transition-related activities
Once your family receives the grant
- Families must keep receipts for all expenses for three years.
- Ongoing grants are typically available to a family on an ongoing basis each fiscal year through the annual renewal process, as long as their child continues to meet eligibility requirements.