Dakota County determines eligibility for a variety of public assistance programs. Refer to our program pages for more detailed information about specific programs. If you have additional questions, we can be contacted at 651-554-5611.
How to apply for benefits
Get detailed instructions on how to apply for food, cash, medical, emergency and child care assistance programs.
View presentation on applying to public assistance programs
Apply for benefits online
Go to the MNBenefits website to apply online for food, cash, emergency and child care assistance. This includes:
- Food Support (SNAP)
- Emergency Assistance
- Housing Support (formerly called Group Residential Housing)
- Child Care Assistance
- Cash programs, such as:
- Diversionary Work Program (DWP)
- General Assistance (GA)
- MN Family Investment Program (MFIP)
- MN Supplemental Aid (MSA)
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
Apply on the MNBenefits website
Go to the MNsure website to apply for all Minnesota health care programs.
Apply on the MNsure website
For paper forms or applications in other languages, go to the Department of Human Services eDocs website.
For details program information, go to our program pages.
Where to submit applications, renewals or forms
- Electronic applications can be submitted online. Go to
MNBenefits or
MNsure sites.
- Paper applications can be submitted:
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By email to
eeadocs@co.dakota.mn.us or directly to your worker
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By fax at 651-554-5748
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By delivering to drop box at the front of the Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St Paul, MN 55118
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By mail to Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., Suite 100, West St Paul, MN 55118
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By using a self-service scanning station at the following library locations:
If you have questions, call your financial worker or Employment and Economic Assistance at 651-554-5611.
Don't risk a gap in your health insurance
Annual renewals for Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare programs are resuming in 2023. You will receive a notice in the mail when it is time to renew your coverage between April 2023 and May 2024.
Update your contact information
It's important that we can reach you when it's time to renew your health insurance. Make sure we have your current contact information. Contact your health plan to update your information.
Figuring out your renewal month
Enrollees with a MA health plan can contact their health plan to find out when their renewal is due.
If you are not enrolled in a MA health plan, or are unsure, contact us at 651-554-6696.
Financial resources
Get help facing a financial crisis