Cash & Food Programs

When most families first apply for cash assistance, they will participate in the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). This is a 4-month program that helps parents go immediately to work rather than receive welfare.

The Work Benefit Program (WB) is a monthly cash benefit for families who have exited DWP or MFIP and are working a required number of hours with income below 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is formerly known as Food Support. This program helps low income people with their food costs.

The Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP) is for non-citizens, who are not eligible for SNAP.

The General Assistance (GA) program serves as Minnesota's primary safety net for adults and childless couples. The GA Program provides monthly cash grants for vulnerable persons whose income and resources are less than program limits.

The Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) program is a State funded program that provides a monthly cash supplement to people who are aged, blind or disabled and who receive Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

The Group Residential Housing (GRH) program is a state-funded income supplemental program that pays for room and board costs for low income adults who have been placed in a licensed or registered setting with which a County Human Service Agency has negotiated a monthly rate

The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program coordinates services to assist refugees in making the transition to life in the United States. These services include resettlement and placement, cash and medical assistance, and employment and social services.