The nine programs below help children, adults and families in Minnesota. Click on the program name to learn more about a program. You can also find out if you are eligible for these programs by using the Eligibility Screening Tool (click here).
- MinnesotaCare
- Medical Assistance (MA)
- General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
- Food Support
- School Meal Program
- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Working Family Credit (WFC)
1. MinnesotaCare
MinnesotaCare is a health insurance program for Minnesotans with lower incomes who cannot get affordable insurance through their job or somewhere else. Children, families, pregnant women, and adults without children can all get MinnesotaCare. It is not a free program. People who get MinnesotaCare pay a reduced-cost premium every month. The amount you pay depends on the number of people in your family, the number of people who are getting health insurance (coverage) and your income. You have to live in Minnesota and have a Social Security Number to get MinnesotaCare. You also have to have income and assets below the limits. Click here to learn more about MinnesotaCare.
2. Medical Assistance (MA)
Medical Assistance (MA) is a health insurance program for some Minnesotans with lower incomes. It is Minnesota’s name for Medicaid. It is usually a free program, although there are some small costs (co-pays) for parents. Children up to age 21, parents, pregnant women, people leaving MFIP, and people who are elderly, blind or disabled can all get Medical Assistance. Medical Assistance looks at every family member individually to see who can get help. Some people in your family may be able to get MA, but others may not. It is easier for young children and pregnant women to get MA than older children or parents. You have to be a U.S. Citizen or a legal immigrant to get MA, unless you are pregnant. Most people also have to have income and assets below the limits to get MA. Click here to learn more about Medical Assistance.
3. General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)
General Assistance Medical Care is a health insurance program for some Minnesotans with very low incomes. It is for adults who are not raising children. You also have to be a U.S. Citizen or legal immigrant to get GAMC. There are two GAMC programs: Comprehensive Coverage (full medical benefits) and Hospital Only Coverage (just for hospital visits). These two GAMC programs have different income limits, asset limits and covered services. Click here to learn more about GAMC.
4. Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps people with lower incomes to pay their heating/energy bills during the fall, winter and spring months. EAP agencies around the state take applications for the program and decide how much help each household can get to pay their heating bills. EAP is available to many households with lower incomes, including homeowners and renters. Renters can get help if they pay for their heat separate from their rent, or if their heat is included in their rent but they pay for electricity separately. Click here to learn more about the Energy Assistance Program.
5. Food Support
Food Support is a program that helps people with lower incomes pay for nutritious food, which helps kids to grow up strong and helps adults to stay healthy. Food Support does not pay for all the food that a person or a family needs each month, just some of it. Lots of people can get Food Support, including single adults, families and seniors. Some legal immigrants can get Food Support. You also have to have income and assets below the limits.
If you get Food Support, you will get a plastic card that looks like a credit or debit card. Every month, the card will be filled up with the money for you to buy food at places that accept Food Support, such as grocery stores. The amount of money you will get each month depends on your income, expenses and the number of people who live with you. The average monthly benefit amount in Minnesota is $47. Click here to learn more about Food Support.
6. School Meal Program
The School Meal Program pays for all or part of the cost of meals for children at school (kindergarten through 12th grade). By offering healthy and nutritious meals, the program also helps children to learn and grow. All foster children can get free meals. If your family is getting help from Food Support (stamps), MFIP, or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), you can get free meals. Otherwise, if you are not on these programs, your family has to have an income below the limits to get help. Some families can get free meals and others can get a reduced (lower) price on their meals. The most you will pay for a reduced-price lunch is 40 cents. Click here to learn more about the School Meal Program.
7. Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps working parents who have lower incomes pay for child care. CCAP is for families with children under age 13 (and under age 15 for children with special needs). To get CCAP, your income has to be below the limits. Parents also have to work or look for work to get CCAP. All families on MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) can get CCAP. Lots of other working parents also get CCAP to help them pay for child care. However, some counties have waiting lists for CCAP, so even if you qualify, you may have to wait to get help.
CCAP is not a free program. All parents have to pay part of the cost of child care each month (a co-payment). CCAP has a sliding fee system — that means families that make more money pay more every month than families who make less money. If you get CCAP, you have to find a child care provider who accepts CCAP. Click here to learn more about the Child Care Assistance Program.
8. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit. It is mostly for low-income working parents (or others such as grandparents, relatives or foster parents) raising children. If you get it, you will either pay less on your federal income tax, or get a larger refund (money given back to you). Most people who get the EITC, get a refund. Click here to learn more about the EITC.
9. Working Family Credit (WFC)
The Working Family Credit is a Minnesota state tax credit. It is mostly for low-income working parents (or others such as grandparents, relatives or foster parents) raising children. It is a state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Most people who get the EITC also get the WFC. If you get the WFC, you will either get a larger refund (money given back to you) or pay less in state taxes. Most people who get the WFC, get a refund.
Parents (or caregivers) have to be at least 25 years old and under 65 years old to get the WFC. There are also rules about which children count for the WFC. Single adults or couples who are not raising children, but are working can also get a smaller WFC. Lots of people who can get the WFC do not get it, because they do not file their taxes. They miss out on money that is meant for them. Click here to learn more about the WFC.