• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

• Fraud Prevention Program

• Adult Services

• Licensing

• Children's Services

• Child Support

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

Program Description

The Food Stamp program began operations in the United States in 1939. Today's program is, for the most part, based on the Food Stamps Act of 1977. The goal of the program is to assist low-income persons and families to purchase food and better meet their nutritional needs. The program is not intended to supply all of a person's or family's food needs--instead it supplements those needs while the person or family makes efforts to become self-supporting.

Funding and Operations

The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, provides states with the funding needed and the policies governing the Food Stamp program. Minnesota's Department of Human Services supervises the program on a state level, clarifies policies, reviews county performance, and distributes monthly benefits. In accordance with state and federal directives, county human service agencies accept client applications, determine eligibility, and determine monthly benefit levels. The Food Stamp program is available in all 87 Minnesota counties.
Participation Requirements
Monthly benefit levels are based on income and the number of persons in the household. Usually, if the household's net income is at or below 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the household will qualify for Food Stamp assistance. Also, if the applicant or others in the household qualify for the Statewide Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), General Assistance (GA), or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, the household will also qualify for Food Stamp assistance. Certain food stamp recipients must participate in the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program.

Monthly Benefits

In the past, monthly benefits were issued in the form of Food Stamp coupons. Program recipients then redeemed the coupons for food items at various grocery and convenience stores. Today, monthly benefits are provided through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that work much like a debit card. At the beginning of the month, the recipient's EBT account is credited with the amount of benefits the person is eligible for. During the month, the person uses the card to purchase food, and the purchase price is deducted from the monthly account balance. Minnesota now provides benefits through an EBT system in all 87 counties.

Coordination With MFIP

Families who receive benefits from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) will have their food assistance needs met through MFIP rather than through the traditional Food Stamp program. Other adults and families that do not receive MFIP benefits will have their food assistance needs met through the traditional Food Stamp program.

MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (MFIP)

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)- This program is a combination of both cash and food assistance. MFIP provides temporary assistance to qualifying families. MFIP is a work-focused program with the goal of moving families toward self sufficiency through employment.

MINNESOTA SUPPLEMENTAL AID (MSA)

Program Description

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) is a state funded program that provides a monthly cash supplement to persons who are aged, blind, or 18 years of age or older and disabled who also receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Some recipients receive MSA and do not receive SSI benefits because their income is too high. The MSA program is administered by county human services agencies.

Eligibility Criteria

MSA is available to Minnesota residents who:
•        are recipients of SSI, or
•        are eligible for SSI except for excess income and whose net income is less than the MSA standards.
To receive MSA benefits, a person must be:
•        age 65 or older, or
•        blind or have severely impaired vision, or
•        disabled according to the criteria used for Retirement and Survivors Disability Insurance (RSDI) and SSI and be between the ages of 18 and 65. Disability for non-SSI recipients is determined by the State Medical Review Team.

THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Program Description

The General Assistance Program serves as Minnesota's primary safety net for single adults and childless couples who are unable to provide for themselves. The program provides monthly cash grants for persons whose income and resources are less than program limits. Recipients are also usually eligible for help with medical costs through the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program or the Medical Assistance (MA) program.

Eligibility Requirements

Program participants must fit at least one of the 21 categories of eligibility specified in state statutes. Eligibility categories are primarily defined in terms of inability to work and disability. Applicants and recipients are generally required to apply for benefits from federally funded disability programs for which they may qualify. In addition, the person or couple must have income and resources less than program limits.

MINNESOTA'S MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MA) (MEDICAID) PROGRAM

Medical Assistance (MA) — Minnesota’s Medicaid program — is the largest of the state’s three health care programs. MA is a joint federally/state-funded program which provides necessary medical services for low-income families, children, pregnant women, and people who are elderly (65 or older) or have disabilities.
The federal Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) administers Medicaid nationwide, providing funding, approving state plans, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. In Minnesota, the Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees the Medicaid (Medical Assistance) program, administered locally by counties. Medicaid is the largest single source of federal funding in Minnesota’s budget. DHS translates federal Medicaid law and policy into state MA rule and policy, and makes recommendations and advises the Legislature about state laws relating to the program.

Who’s eligible for MA?

Families, children and pregnant women, with varying incomes, depending on a variety of factors.
People who are disabled or blind, at certain incomes
Elderly people at certain incomes

GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE (GAMC)

General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)--Pays for medical care for low-income Minnesotans who do not qualify for Medicaid--primarily low-income adults between the ages of 21-64 who do not have dependent children.

MINNESOTACARE

MinnesotaCare--Pays for medical care for low income Minnesotans. Enrollees pay a premium based on their family's income, household size and the number of family members covered.

FRAUD PREVENTION PROGRAM

Fraud Prevention Program-- Fraud prevention is a program that was developed to resolve issues in cases that meet the criteria of potential fraud. Resolving these discrepancies maintains program integrity and results in a savings to the taxpayers in program costs and ensures that funds are available to those who really need assistance. Marshall County usually receives allegations of welfare fraud either from case workers who regularly work either the recipients of public assistance cases or from the general public. If the investigation finds the violation was intentional, the case is referred for adminstrative process or for criminal prosecution.

ADULT SERVICES

Adult Protection

The Adult Protection program investigates allegations of elderly neglect and abuse. Vulnerable adult investigations are completed in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, and ongoing adult protection services are provided if needed.

Elderly & Disability Waivered Services

The waiver program provides assessments for home care services for senior citizens and disabled adults. Programs available are Elderly Waiver (EW), Alternative Care (AC), Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waivers. If the assessment indicates that the person is eligible for these programs, case management to coordinate services will be provided. These programs are intended to promote community living and independence by providing the appropriate health care, home care, and support services based on individual needs.
Nursing Home Pre-admission Screening
Pre-admission screening is a service provided to assist persons considering nursing home placement, aid in discharge planning, and recommend alternative services as appropriate.

Developmental Disabilities

The Developmental Disabilities program provides assessment and services to disabled persons in Marshall County. The intent of the program is to strengthen the disabled person's self-reliance and provide community support services while protecting clients from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Services available include case management, Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS), respite care, supported employment, guardianship, and referrals for other necessary services.

Adult Mental Health

The Adult Mental Health program assists clients with mental illness by providing services including case management, referrals to community mental health and outreach programs, day treatment programs, and coordination with residential treatment facilities. The Adult Mental Health program also provides pre-screenings for judicial commitment when a petitioner comes forward who is willing to testify about a family member or loved one who is in imminent danger of harm to self or others due to mental health and/or chemical dependency issues.

Chemical Dependency

Marshall County Social Services provides Rule 25 assessment services to residents of Marshall County who have been court ordered to complete the assessment.
Assessments and case management services are also provided to clients seeking treatment for chemical dependency who also meet certain income guidelines, or who receive Medical Assistance (MA or GAMC).

LICENSING

Child Care Licensing

The ChildCare Licensing program provides assistance to Marshall County residents 18 years of age and older wishing to become licensed to provide child care in their home. The licensing process includes fire and safety inspections of the home, a criminal background study, and the discussion of State licensing guidelines and standards.

Child Foster Care Licensing

Foster parents provide a stable and loving home for children who are in need of temporary care. The licensing social worker assists the prospective foster parents by coordinating the licensing process, which includes a criminal background study, home safety and fire checks, and letters of reference.

Adult Foster Care Licensing

Marshall County Social Services assists clients who wish to provide Foster Care services to adults in the community. A licensing social worker provides coordination services to prospective Foster Caregivers. The licensing process includes a criminal background study, home safety and fire checks, and letters of reference.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Adoption Services

Marshall County Social Services provides adoptive placement services to children who are in need of adoptive homes through the use of the State Adoption Exchange.

Family Preservation Services

Family Preservation Services-- In-home services to prevent out of home placement or to help facilitate the safe return of the child(ren) to the parent(s). Services are provided to families who are at high risk of entering the child protection system and to families who are presently in the system due to substantiated maltreatment.

Child Placement

Child Placement--Out of home placement of children for the protection from abuse or neglect, for treatment of emotional disorders or chemical dependency or placement due to delinquent acts committed by a juvenile.

Child Protective Services

The Child Protection unit investigates allegations of child abuse including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and educational neglect. The unit coordinates with the law enforcement center as well as community professionals and para-professionals to determine if the child was abused or neglected by an action, or failure to act on the part of a caregiver or other person. The results of the assessment will determine whether child protective services are needed.

Child Welfare Case Management

Social workers assist families to develop case plans, which reduce the risk of abuse or neglect of children. These services are provided to families who have requested them, or have been referred by other agencies to participate in services that may improve family functioning. These services include in-home counseling, parent education, respite day care or foster care, minor parent assessments, and SELF (Support for Emancipation and Living Functionally).

Children's Mental Health

The Children's Mental Health program provides case management services to children experiencing emotional disturbances and their families. These services include coordinating counseling, in-patient treatment, out-of-home placement, respite, and family community support services, etc.

Child Care Assistance

The ChildCare Assistance program provides funding to help families pay for child care while they are at work or attending school. There are various programs within the ChildCare Assistance program to assist a variety of clients. These programs include Basic Sliding Fee, which provides a childcare subsidy for low income working families; MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) which provides child care subsidies to assist financial assistance recipients return to work, and Transition Year, which provides one year of subsidy for clients who have left the MFIP program due to increased earnings.

CHILD SUPPORT

SERVICES AVAILABLE

• Locating parents.
• Establishing parentage
• Establishing and enforcing court orders for child support, medical support, and child care support.
• Adjusting court orders based on the cost-of-living index.
• Working with other states to enforce support when one parent does not live in Minnesota.
• Collecting and processing payments.
  
  Either parent of a child may get certain support services.
  Parents who do not receive public assistance can apply for services at their county child support office. They are charged a one-time $25 fee.
  Parents who receive public assistance for a child whose other parent does not live with them are automatically referred for services. They do not pay any fee.
  

SERVICES NOT AVAILABLE (We cannot help with)

• Legal separation and divorce
• Visitation and custody.
• We cannot answer legal questions about custody and visitation.
• Spousal maintenance (alimony) establishment or enforcement .
• Collection of unpaid bills, property settlements, or other debts not related to support obligations
• Legal advice or counsel.
  
  You may wish to consult an attorney for assistance with the above issues.
  For more detail information call the Minnesota Department of Human Services Interactive Voice Response case and payment information line at:
  (651) 215-5630 (Twin Cities area)
  1-800-657-3512 (outside Twin Cities calling area)
  TTY/TDD users, call the Minnesota Relay Service: 1-800-627-3529.

For more information regarding any of these services, go to the Minnesota Department of Human Services website at: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/.