Chapter 142G — Establishing Minnesota Family Investment Program

142G.01 Establishing Minnesota Family Investment Program This law creates the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), which gives cash help and food benefits to families … 142G.02 Definitions This section defines the key terms used throughout the MFIP program. It explains words like 'assistance unit' (the group … 142G.03 Federal Tanf Block Grant This section gives the commissioner of children, youth, and families the power to receive and spend federal TANF block … 142G.04 Separate State Program for Use of State Money This section sets up a separate state-funded program for certain MFIP costs. Money spent on two-parent families and … 142G.05 Applying for Assistance This section explains how to apply for MFIP benefits. You apply at the county agency where you live. The county must … 142G.10 Mfip Eligibility Requirements This section lists the basic requirements to qualify for MFIP. Applicants must meet citizenship rules, residency rules, … 142G.11 Eligibility; Citizenship This section sets the citizenship requirements for MFIP. You must be a U.S. citizen, a qualified noncitizen (such as a … 142G.12 Eligibility; Minnesota Residence To get MFIP, you must be a Minnesota resident. This means you or your child must have lived in the state for at least 30 … 142G.13 Eligibility; Minor Child in Assistance Unit; Physical Presence Your MFIP household must include at least one child under 18 or a pregnant woman. The child and caregiver generally must … 142G.14 Eligibility; Parenting or Pregnant Minors Minor parents (under 18) must live with a parent, legal guardian, adult relative, or in a supervised living arrangement … 142G.15 Other Eligibility Conditions This section covers special eligibility situations, including families with court-ordered custody arrangements and … 142G.16 Income Limitations This section sets the income limits for MFIP eligibility. Your countable income (after certain deductions for work … 142G.17 Family Composition; Assistance Standards; Exit Level This section defines who must be included in your MFIP assistance unit (the group applying together) and sets the … 142G.18 Persons Ineligible; Vendor Payments Certain people face restrictions on how they receive MFIP benefits. People convicted of a felony drug offense in the … 142G.19 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program This section explains how SNAP (food stamp) benefits work with MFIP. If you get emergency SNAP benefits, you cannot also … 142G.20 Applicant and Participant Requirements and Responsibilities MFIP applicants and participants must report accurate information about their income and circumstances. You must also … 142G.21 Applicant and Participant Rights; County Agency Duty This section lists the rights of MFIP applicants and participants. You have the right to get information about the … 142G.22 Prospective Mfip Eligibility County agencies determine MFIP eligibility by looking at your expected income for the upcoming payment period. They use … 142G.25 Reporting Requirements The commissioner of children, youth, and families must work with the commissioner of employment and economic development … 142G.26 Relationship to Other Programs This section explains how MFIP works alongside other benefit programs. County agencies must refer participants to … 142G.27 Orientation County agencies must provide an orientation to MFIP caregivers unless they are already working enough hours. The … 142G.30 This section has been repealed. The provisions that were formerly in section 142G.30 have been removed from Minnesota … 142G.31 Treatment of Income This section explains how income from different household members is counted when figuring MFIP benefits. Income from … 142G.32 Amount of Assistance Payment Your MFIP payment equals the difference between the standard of need for your family size and your countable income. … 142G.33 Allocation for Unmet Need of Other Household Members If you have an ineligible spouse or child under 21 living with you, some of your income can be set aside ('allocated') … 142G.34 Support From Parents of Minor Caregivers Living Apart When a minor caregiver lives apart from their own parents, this section requires those parents to provide financial … 142G.35 Payment Provisions; Vendor Payments MFIP payments can be made by check, electronic transfer, or direct deposit. The commissioner must mail checks or issue … 142G.36 Vendor Payment of Shelter Costs and Utilities When the county is required to pay your benefits in vendor form (directly to landlords and utility companies), this … 142G.37 Work Participation Cash Benefits When you leave MFIP because of your earnings, you may qualify for a $25 per month work participation cash benefit for up … 142G.38 Aging of Cash Benefits MFIP cash benefits that are not accessed within 90 days of being issued are canceled. If you miss the 90-day window, you … 142G.40 60-month Time Limit; Exemptions Adults can receive MFIP cash assistance for a maximum of 60 months (five years) in their lifetime. This limit counts any … 142G.41 Notice of 12 Months of Tanf Assistance Remaining When you have 12 months of TANF assistance left before reaching the 60-month limit, the county must send you a notice … 142G.42 60-month Time Limit; Hardship Extensions If you reach the 60-month time limit, you may qualify for a hardship extension to keep receiving benefits. Extensions … 142G.45 Fair Hearings If you disagree with a decision about your MFIP case, such as a benefit reduction, denial, or sanction, you have the … 142G.50 Employment and Training Services; Definitions This section defines key terms used in the MFIP employment and training program. It explains what counts as employment … 142G.51 Employment and Training; Participant All MFIP caregivers must participate in employment and training services and develop an employment plan. Single parents … 142G.52 Universal Participation Required Every MFIP caregiver must participate in some form of employment activity. The specific plan depends on your situation: … 142G.53 Family Violence Waiver Criteria If you are a victim of family violence that prevents you from participating in certain work activities, you may qualify … 142G.54 Employment and Training; County Duties Each county must develop employment and training services to help MFIP participants find jobs. Counties must provide … 142G.55 Overview of Employment and Training Services During your first meeting with a job counselor, you must receive an overview of MFIP employment and training services. … 142G.56 Assessment; Employment Plans Your job counselor will assess your skills, education, work history, and any barriers to employment to create an … 142G.57 Minor Parents; Employment Plan MFIP caregivers under age 20 who do not have a high school diploma must have their educational needs assessed and … 142G.58 Postsecondary Education as Approved Work Activity Postsecondary education (college or vocational training) can count as an approved MFIP work activity if the program … 142G.59 Basic Education; English as a Second Language MFIP participants without a high school diploma can pursue a GED or adult diploma as an approved work activity, as long … 142G.60 On-the-job Training Counties can set up on-the-job training programs where employers receive payments of up to 50 percent of a participant's … 142G.61 Community Work Experience Counties can create community work experience programs that place MFIP participants in unpaid public service positions … 142G.62 Injury Protection for Work Experience Participants MFIP participants in unpaid work experience programs are covered by injury protection. If you are hurt or killed while … 142G.63 Nondisplacement in Work Activities MFIP work assignments cannot be used to replace regular employees. Counties must notify labor unions at least 14 days … 142G.64 Employment and Training; Grant Diversion Counties can divert all or part of a participant's MFIP cash payment to an employer to subsidize a job placement. The … 142G.65 Employment and Training Service Provider Appeal Employment and training service providers that are excluded from a county's service agreement can appeal to the … 142G.70 Sanctions If you do not follow MFIP program requirements without good cause, your benefits will be reduced (sanctioned). For the … 142G.71 Good Cause Exemption From Sanction You will not be sanctioned if you have good cause for failing to follow MFIP requirements. Good cause includes lack of … 142G.75 Family Stabilization Services Family stabilization services help MFIP families who have significant barriers to employment, such as mental health … 142G.76 Mfip Consolidated Fund The MFIP consolidated fund provides money to counties and tribes for services that help MFIP participants succeed. … 142G.77 Indian Tribe Mfip Employment Services The commissioner can enter agreements with federally recognized Indian tribes in Minnesota to provide MFIP employment … 142G.78 County of Financial Responsibility Policies This section determines which county is financially responsible for an MFIP case. Generally, it is the county where the … 142G.79 County Performance Management The commissioner must provide monthly reports to each county about their MFIP caseload, including the number of cases, … 142G.85 Tanf Demonstration Projects or Waiver From Federal Rules and Regulations The commissioner can pursue federal waivers or demonstration projects to test new approaches to the MFIP program. The … 142G.90 Diversionary Work Program The Diversionary Work Program (DWP) provides short-term help for up to four months to families who can quickly become … 142G.95 Funeral Expenses, Payment by County Agency When someone receiving MFIP dies, the county agency pays for funeral expenses if the person's estate and family cannot …