COVID-19 update
Immediate walk-in assistance at the Northern Service Center lobby is limited, but some in-person services are available by appointment for those who have no other options to apply for public assistance benefits. Please contact your worker directly or call 651-554-5611 to reach our office as needed.
For all other public assistance questions or needs, we are serving our customers over the phone, postal mail and online due to precautions related to COVID-19. Please contact your worker directly or call 651-554-5611.
Applications for cash, food, and emergency program benefits and renewals can be submitted online at:
You can also access applications, renewals and verification forms online at:
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:
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.
Getting an application
There are many ways to get applications for public assistance. You can get help with your SNAP application (screening and application assistance) from Second Harvest Heartland at
651-307-9033.
Online
You can apply online at the Minnesota Department of Human Services website. The ApplyMN 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 ApplyMN.
You can also download some applications from the Minnesota Department of Human Services:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Cash Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Application for Seniors (60+)
By phone
You can request an application form by calling
651-554-5611 or 1-800-247-1056. 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:
Administration Center (from Employee Relations)
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
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
U of M Extension
4100 220th Street
Farmington, MN 55024
Submitting an application
You can submit the
ApplyMN 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.
Public notice of nondiscrimination statement
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, Dakota County is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.