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Minnesota Family Investment Program Participants who are interested in participating in postsecondary education as part of their employment plan must discuss their education plans with their job counselor. Job counselors must work with participants to evaluate options. Special requirements exist for caregivers under age 20. In most cases, education is the first priority for teen MFIP participants. How do sanctions work? MFIP participants who do not meet the program requirements may be sanctioned through reduction of their monthly grant. Sanctions last until one month after a participant comes into compliance. An MFIP case must be closed after the seventh occurrence of noncompliance.1 What are MFIP’s funding streams and expenditures? MFIP is funded with a combination of federal funds and state appropriations. Minnesota received approximately $268 million annually in TANF block grant funding in federal fiscal years 1998 to 2025 (this amount is subject to federal reauthorization). In addition, federal law includes a maintenance of effort (MOE) provision that requires a state to spend 75 percent to 80 percent of the amount it spent in 1994 under its old AFDC and related programs to assist needy families. In fiscal year 2025, the state’s required MOE amount was $174.7 million per year. The MOE requirement is met through state spending on programs such as MFIP, child care assistance, and the working family tax credit. TANF is used for MFIP and a variety of other programs that assist low-income families. According to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, for state fiscal year 2024, total expenditures were $164.1 million for the cash portion and $132.7 million for the food portion of the MFIP grants. In terms of funding, $95.9 million was financed with federal TANF funds, $132.7 million was from federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds, and $68.1 million was from state appropriations. How many families receive MFIP? In fiscal year 2024, in an average month 22,739 families and a total of 62,137 participants were receiving MFIP assistance. In fiscal year 2025, in an average month an estimated 23,755 families and a total of 65,858 participants were receiving MFIP assistance. For more information: See the longer House Research Department publication, Minnesota Family Investment Program, January 2025, which is part of a larger series on public assistance programs.

Minnesota House Research Department provides nonpartisan legislative, legal, and information services to the Minnesota House of Representatives. This document can be made available in alternative formats. www.house.mn.gov/hrd | 651-296-6753 | Third Floor, Centennial Office Building | St. Paul, MN 55155

1 The sanctions described here will be streamlined effective May 1, 2026. (See Laws 2023, ch. 70, art. 10, §§ 59-61 and 98, para (b).)