Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

The Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP, is the state's welfare reform program for low-income families with children. MFIP helps families move to work.

Program info
Eligibility
Benefits
Apply

Program info

The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through work. Parents are expected to work, and are supported in working with both cash and food assistance. Most families have a lifetime limit of 60 months on MFIP.

When families first apply for cash assistance, they usually start in the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). It is a four-month program that helps parents go to work right away rather than enroll in MFIP.
Eligibility

MFIP is for families with children and pregnant women. To qualify, your family must:
- Meet an initial income test
- Meet an initial asset limit of $10,000
- Provide needed verifications.
Asset and vehicle limits
- You may own up to $10,000 in assets and qualify for MFIP. Your worker can tell you what property is counted toward the limit.
- We do not count one vehicle per member of the assistance unit who is 16 years old or older. We do count additional vehicles as part of the $10,000 asset limit. Your worker can give you more information.
Lifetime limit

Most parents with minor children only get cash help for a total of 60 months.
Benefits

Families get a monthly benefit that includes cash and food assistance. Parents also get help to find and keep a job.

Employment services
- Most people work with a job counselor to create an employment plan. If you are younger than 20 and have not completed high school or any equivalency program, you may need to finish your education. Your job counselor or social worker will help you make a plan to get your high school diploma or go to work.
- You may get child care help while you are looking for work, going to school or working.
Cash and food assistance

Cash and food benefits are issued automatically through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card (DHS-6315) (PDF). Benefits change depending on your income. You are better off working when you are on MFIP. When you get a job, the first $65 you earn does not count. After that, half of the rest of your earnings do not count in deciding the amount of your benefits.

For further information about this program, see Minnesota Family Investment Program (DHS-3179) (PDF).

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Apply

You can apply:
- Online at MNbenefits.mn.gov.
- On paper using the Combined Application Form DHS-5223 (PDF). Mail or bring the completed form to your county or tribal office.
The Combined Application Form is also available in: