Page 26

Minnesota Family Investment Program Minnesota House Research Department Page 26 A person who has completed a postsecondary education or training program and does not meet the work participation requirements must complete three months of job search. If, at the end of three months, the person has not found a job that is consistent with the person’s employment goal, the person must accept any offer of suitable employment, or meet with the job counselor to revise the employment plan to include additional work activities necessary to meet hourly requirements. Exception from Employment and Training Requirements There are limited exceptions from the requirement to participate in the MFIP work requirements. One exception applies to families with a child under 12 months of age. The exception is available only once in a lifetime and applies to any child born to the family. All MFIP caregivers must participate in employment services (Minn. Stat. § 142G.52). Employment plans must meet specified requirements, contain allowable work activities, and include a specified number of participation hours. Minor caregivers and caregivers who are under age 20 who have not completed high school or obtained a GED must meet specified requirements. Employment plans for participants who meet certain other criteria must be tailored to recognize the special circumstances of these caregivers and families. Special Provisions for Victims of Family Violence An MFIP caregiver who is a victim of family violence may have the regular MFIP work requirements waived if the county agency has approved the person’s employment plan and the person is complying with the plan. The primary purpose of an employment plan for a victim of violence is “to ensure the safety of the caregiver and children” (Minn. Stat. § 142G., subd. 3). It may address safety, legal, or emotional issues and other demands on the family as a result of the family violence. A victim of family violence is not automatically deferred or exempt from regular MFIP work requirements. It is up to the job counselor and a person trained in domestic violence to determine whether participation in work requirements would compromise the safety of the caregiver and children. Sanctions Another important feature of MFIP is its sanctions.47 The program has requirements that participants are expected to follow, such as attending the MFIP orientation, cooperating with child support enforcement efforts, developing and following the job search support plan or employment plan, and accepting an offer of suitable employment. A participant who does not follow a program requirement faces a sanction for noncompliance until one month after the participant comes into compliance with the requirements.48

47 The sanctions described in this section will be streamlined effective May 1, 2026. (See Laws 2023, ch. 70, art. 10, §§ 59-61 and 98, para (b).) 48 See Minn. Stat. § 142G.70.