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Minnesota Family Investment Program Minnesota House Research Department Page 19 A family’s eligibility for DWP cash benefits is based on the number of persons in a family unit, the family maintenance needs, personal needs allowance, and countable income. Housing and utilities must be vendor paid. The minimum cash benefit amount is $10 per month. Counties must convert or refer participants to MFIP if the county determines that a participant is unlikely to benefit from DWP. The goal of DWP is to divert families from MFIP by providing short-term assistance and intensive employment services. A family receiving DWP may also receive SNAP, but is ineligible for MFIP during the period of time covered by DWP.33 MFIP Consolidated Fund Short-Term Benefits The MFIP consolidated fund34 allows for short-term nonrecurring shelter and utility needs to be expended for eligible families. Eligibility requirements include presence of a minor child in the household and income below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Counties must give priority to families currently receiving MFIP, DWP services, or Family Stabilization Services. Family Stabilization Services In 2007, the legislature established the Family Stabilization Services program35 to serve families who are not making significant progress within the regular employment and training track of MFIP due to a variety of barriers to employment. Participants in MFIP or DWP may be eligible for Family Stabilization Services if the participant meets the hardship extension requirements for MFIP (but is not approaching the 60th month of MFIP participation), has applied for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security disability insurance, is a noncitizen in the United States for 12 or fewer months, or is age 60 or older. Family Stabilization Services are provided through the county agency or employment services provider. If a participant already has a case manager through social services, disability services, or housing services, that case manager may also be the case manager for family stabilization services. A family stabilization plan must be established for each participating family in conjunction with the participant.

33 The months during which a family receives DWP benefits do not count toward the MFIP 60-month time limit. 34 See Minn. Stat. § 142G.76. 35 See Minn. Stat. § 142G.75.