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Public Assistance
 
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​Contact

Employment & Economic Assistance
651-554-5611

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Emergency Assistance

Page Content

​Applications for cash, food, and emergency program benefits and renewals can be submitted online at:

  • Minnesota Department of Human Services MNbenefits website.
  • Before applying, you can see if you are eligible for MNbenefits​ programs by using the Bridge to Benefits screening tool.

You can also access applications, renewals and verification forms online at:

  • Minnesota Department of Human Services eDocs website.  

Paper applications are available for no-contact pick-up or drop-off.

  • Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St Paul, MN 55118
  • Forms can be picked up or dropped off between the hours of 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. There is a drop box located outside the front entrance of the building.
  • Forms can also be submitted electronically:
    • By email to eeadocs@co.dakota.mn.us  
    • By fax at 651-554-5748
    • Or by calling our Customer Call Center at 651-554-5611. 

Applications for health care program benefits can submitted on the MNsure website. METS (County administered MNsure) can be submitted by email to eeametshcteam@co.dakota.mn.us .

If none of these resources work for you, call 651-554-5611 to schedule an over-the-phone or in-person application appointment. 

If you are unemployed, you may be eligible for the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program. Unemployment benefits are administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).  Offices are not located within Dakota County buildings. For more information regarding unemployment benefits, visit www.uimn.org or call 651-296-3644. 

Dakota County is also accepting applications to our Dislocated Worker Programs. 

​Emergency Assistance program eligibility

Emergency assistance programs are short-term assistance (usually a one-time payment) for people experiencing 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 facing a potential loss of basic needs such as utilities or shelter and have no ability to solve the emergent situation with current household resources. Emergency Assistance can only be available to families whose income is below 200 percent of the prior year's federal poverty guidelines. Assistance must resolve the financial need and potential loss of basic needs. Emergency Assistance can only be issued for a family once in a 12-month period.

Emergency General Assistance
Emergency General Assistance (EGA) is a short-term program used primarily for single individuals or couples without children. Like Emergency Assistance, Emergency General Assistance can only be available to individuals and families whose income is below 200 percent of the prior year's federal poverty guideline. The Emergency General Assistance program is used primarily for rent and utilities and can be issued only once in a 12-month period.

Emergency Cash Assistance
Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA) is a county-funded program for which applications can be taken and processed by Dakota County Employment & Economic Assistance,​ 360 Communities, and Hastings Family Services. The program has a 12-month maximum payment limit of $750 (utilities, transportation expenses and occasionally prescription drugs). Emergency Cash Assistance is used most frequently when the financial needs are under $750 and can resolve the emergent situation.​

Getting an application

There are many ways to get applications for public assistance. 

Online
You can apply online at the Minnesota Department of Human Services website. The MNbenefits page allows you to apply for breast and cervical cancer coverage, cash assistance, child care assistance, emergency help, family planning, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits  and  health care. 
Go to MNbenefits.

You can also download some applications from the Minnesota Department of Human Services:
Combined Application Form  

By phone
You can request an application form by calling 651-554-5611. When you call for an application, you will need to give the following information: Your name, full postal address and zip code, phone number where you can be reached in case we have questions, the type of assistance you are requesting, and whether you are single or have children under age 21 living with you.

In person
You can pick up applications at each of these locations within the county:

Western Service Center (from Social Services or Public Health)
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124

Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road West, Suite 100
West St. Paul, MN 55118-4765

Burnsville Workforce Center
2800 West County Road 42
Burnsville, MN 55337 

Administration Center (from Employee Relations)
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343

U of M Extension
4100 220th Street
Farmington, MN 55024

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 right away.  A financial worker will call you to complete a telephone interview.  Please answer all questions on the application.​

Information you need to provide

In addition to the application form, you will be required to provide verification of identity, age, citizenship, residence, property, income and more.  A list of acceptable verification is available.

Accessing services

All benefits are entered on an EBT card. For assistance with a lost or stolen card, call EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-2227.

Last updated: 2/28/2023 3:35 PM

Administration Center
  • 1590 Highway 55
  • Hastings, MN 55033
  • Ph: 651-437-3191
  • Toll free: 800-247-1056
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