Emergency Assistance program eligibility
Emergency assistance programs are short-term assistance — usually a one-time payment. Recipients can use it to pay for a financial hardship such as an eviction or utility shutoff. Any income not needed for basic needs will be considered available to meet the emergency as well as any cash or other assets you might have.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Assistance (EA) is a short-term program for families who may lose basic needs like utilities or housing. It's for families who cannot fix the emergency with their own resources. To qualify, a family's income must be below 200 percent of last year's federal poverty guidelines. The help must fully solve the financial problem. Families can receive Emergency Assistance only once every 12 months.
Emergency General Assistance
Emergency General Assistance (EGA) is a short-term program for single adults or couples without children. Like EA, it is only for people whose income is below 200 percent of last year's federal poverty guidelines. EGA is usually used to help with rent or utility bills. It can only be given once every 12 months.
Getting an application
There are many ways to get applications for public assistance.
Online
Go to MNbenefits.
You can also download some applications from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
By phone
You can request an application form by calling
651-554-5611.
In person
You can pick up applications at each of these locations within the county:
Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley
Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road W., Suite 100, West St. Paul
University of Minnesota Extension
4100 220th St., Farmington
Submitting an application
You can submit the MNbenefits application online.
You can also mail or drop off your application at:
Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road West, Suite 100
West St. Paul, MN 55118-4765
Your application will be assigned to a financial worker within 1-2 business days. A financial worker will call you to complete a telephone interview. Please answer all questions on the application.
Information you need to provide
You will be required to provide verification of identity, age, citizenship, residence, property, income and more.
A list of acceptable verification is available.