Description of Anoka County Benefits & Assistance Programs
Financial Support Programs
- Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP): Cash and food benefits plus employment and childcare services for families with children
- General Assistance (GA): Monthly cash grants for those unable to work due to illness, disability, or other circumstances
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Food benefits issued on EBT cards
- Child Care Assistance: Helps low-income families pay for child care (family income must be less than 47% of State Median Income)
- Emergency Assistance (EA): EA helps eligible families who have children in the home under age 18 who are in danger of being evicted or having a utility shut off
- Emergency General Assistance (EGA): EGA helps eligible adults without minor children in the home to assist with utilities and housing
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps income eligible homeowners & renters with assistance toward their heating & electric bills, learn more and apply at https://accap.org/energy-assistance/
To apply for most benefits, visit mnbenefits.mn.gov or call the EZ Info Line: 763-422-7200.
Healthcare Programs
- Medicaid/Medical Assistance: Federal public health insurance for eligible residents
- MinnesotaCare: Minnesota’s Basic Health Program for those who don’t qualify for other insurance
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services: Assistance paying for substance use disorder services for low-income individuals
Housing Resources
- Housing Help Desk: Information and referrals for housing resources (763-324-1490, HousingHelpDesk@anokacountymn.gov)
Mental Health Services
- Adult Mental Health Services: Support for adults with serious and persistent mental illness, call Mental Health Intake to determine eligibility and access (763-324-1420)
- Child Mental Health Services: Services for children 0-18 with serious emotional disturbances (763-324-1430)
- Crisis Services: 24/7 mobile crisis response for mental health emergencies (763-755-3801)
- Civil Commitment: Court-ordered treatment for qualifying conditions
Protective Services
- Child Protection: Responds to community concerns about child safety, child well-being and family stability (763-324-1440)
- Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP): Short-term program that assists parents in accessing services or community resources that can assist with their identified needs
- Adult Protection: Investigates maltreatment of vulnerable adults (abuse, neglect, financial exploitation), reports can be made to the MN Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) (1-844-880-1574)
- Domestic Violence Services: Alexandra House provides free services including emergency shelter and legal advocacy (Help Line: 763-780-2330)
Long-Term Care and Disability Support
- Long-Term Services & Support (LTSS): Services help persons who are disabled or seniors connect to resources and services to increase independence, health, and safety while living in the community.
- MnCHOICES Assessment: Required evaluation to determine eligibility for LTSS and/or disability waiver programs (763-324-1450)
- Respite Care: Temporary relief care for families of children or young adults with special needs
Respite Care
- Respite Care provides temporary relief care for families of children with special needs, ranging from a few hours to overnight care.
- Anoka County Children’s Mental Health Respite Program
- Eligibility: Children meeting Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) criteria
- Child must live with parents/guardians in Anoka County
- Not enrolled in other county respite programs
- Respite care provider must be 18+, and cannot be the parents, step-parents, or significant others of parent of the child
- Families must submit quarterly reports
- Funds considered taxable income
- Structure: Quarterly funds for family-arranged respite services
- Eligibility: Children meeting Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) criteria
- Foster Care Respite
- Eligibility: Ongoing CMH cases only (may start CMH to access Respite)
- Purpose: Prevent longer, more restrictive out-of-home placements
- Other Options
- DHS Respite Funds: For children meeting SED criteria (camps, YMCA, sports, community classes)
- Family Support Grant: Up to $3000/year for families with children in DD Waiver, CMH Case Management, or Certified Disability
- Corporate Foster Care: For clients with extreme behaviors requiring specially trained foster parents – available to clients on a CADI or DD Waiver
- CADI Foster Care: Available to clients on CADI Waiver
- Adoption Subsidy: Adoptive families must use their monthly adoption subsidy funds before accessing county-paid respite
- Get started by calling Anoka County Children’s Mental Health Intake/Referrals: 763-324-1430
- When you call, state that you are looking for respite for your child, and looking to access it through Children’s Mental Health and they will help determine eligibility and access to the appropriate services
- Visit https://www.anokacountymn.gov/2429/Children for more information.