Hennepin County Financial Assistance: Programs, Eligibility & How to Apply

This is the county’s primary program for renters at immediate risk of eviction. The county budgeted $9.6 million for the current year and has partnered with the City of Minneapolis to add supplemental funding. Money goes directly to your landlord — you never see it, but your debt is cleared. Priority households are those at or below 30% of area median income with an eviction filing already on record. The county also gives priority to households with minor children, people with disabilities, and seniors. If you haven’t been to court yet but are behind on rent, apply immediately — don’t wait for a filing.

Most landlords showing up to housing court have a lawyer. Most renters don’t. Hennepin County’s Adult Representation Services program changes that equation — it provides no-cost legal advice and representation to income-eligible renters facing eviction. Of the nearly 20,000 housing court cases ARS has handled since 2021, more than 85% resulted in the renter avoiding eviction or reaching a favorable settlement. Request representation as soon as you receive an eviction notice — the earlier you call, the more options exist. This service is free and has nothing to do with guilt or fault — it simply gives you the same standing your landlord already has.

The county’s emergency short-term help program isn’t just for renters. Homeowners facing a crisis that threatens physical health or safety — past-due mortgage, urgent safety repairs, utility shutoff — may qualify for one-time assistance. This program is designed for situations where other options have been exhausted and the threat is immediate. A phone interview is required, and the application must demonstrate a direct, specific threat — not general financial difficulty. This is available once per calendar year per household.

Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County runs home repair programs serving homeowners who are 55 or older, disabled, or who have a child under 18 in the household, with income at or below 50% of the Twin Cities area median income. Services include interior improvements, siding and window repair, landscaping, and replacement of essential systems — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing. You must own and currently live in the home, plan to stay for at least 2 to 5 years depending on the program, and be current on mortgage payments and property taxes.

Minnesota’s SNAP program is more accessible than many people realize. The gross income limit sits at 200% of the federal poverty level — for a family of four, that’s approximately $63,000 per year in 2025–2026. Approved households receive an EBT card loaded monthly and usable at any approved grocery store. If you’re receiving SSI, General Assistance, or Minnesota Supplemental Aid, you are automatically eligible for SNAP without a separate income test. You can apply any time of year, and approved benefits are retroactive to your application date — so apply now, not after the month is over.

WIC is a federal nutrition program administered locally that provides monthly food benefits, nutrition education, and referrals to other services for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC is income-based but has a higher limit than SNAP in some cases. If you are currently pregnant or have a child under 5, check eligibility even if you think you earn too much — many working families qualify. Call Hennepin County to find a WIC clinic near you.

MFIP is Minnesota’s primary cash assistance program for families with children. It provides monthly cash payments, child care help, and medical coverage while requiring participation in employment services. For most participants, an employment plan is developed with a caseworker. The program has a 60-month lifetime limit, so it is best used during a genuine crisis rather than as a long-term strategy. Asset limit is $10,000. MFIP recipients automatically qualify for SNAP without a separate income test. Processing takes up to 30 days.

DWP provides short-term cash support and employment services for low-income families for up to four months, with the goal of stabilizing income quickly enough that the family doesn’t need to enter MFIP. Think of it as a bridge: quicker to access, more focused, and designed to resolve a temporary income gap. DWP months do not count toward the MFIP lifetime limit, which makes it a smart first step for families who may need MFIP in the future but want to preserve that option.

Adults who don’t qualify for MFIP — typically single adults without dependent children — may qualify for General Assistance, which provides a modest monthly cash benefit for basic needs. Emergency General Assistance is a one-time payment for those in crisis not otherwise eligible for ongoing GA. Adults who are disabled or over 65 and waiting for SSI approval can receive GA in the interim. A phone interview is always required; some situations require an in-person appointment at a Human Service Center.

Medical Assistance is Minnesota’s Medicaid program — full health coverage for people with low incomes. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health services, and more. Eligibility varies by age, household size, and income. Seniors, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and children often have broader eligibility than working-age adults without dependents. If you have MA and your coverage is coming up for renewal, the county mails renewal paperwork 45 to 60 days before your renewal date — respond immediately to avoid a gap in coverage. Call 612-596-8860 for help with managed care enrollment questions.

MinnesotaCare covers working adults and families who earn too much to qualify for Medical Assistance but can’t afford private health insurance. Premiums are income-based — many enrollees pay very low monthly amounts. Through Hennepin Health, MinnesotaCare members receive medical care, behavioral health services, and social services in an integrated model. Apply through MNsure — the state marketplace — not through private insurance brokers. CAP-HC also provides free MNsure application assistance to help you navigate the enrollment process.

If you’re on Medicare and have low-to-modest income, one of four Medicare Savings Programs may pay your Medicare Part B premium (and in some cases Part A), copays, and deductibles. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is the most comprehensive — it covers premiums and cost-sharing. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program covers Part B premiums only. Many seniors who qualify never apply because they don’t know these programs exist. Ask your Hennepin County caseworker specifically about Medicare Savings Programs when you call.

If you have Medical Assistance or qualify as a pregnant woman or child on MinnesotaCare, non-emergency medical transportation to appointments is a covered benefit when you have no other way to get there. If enrolled in a managed care plan, call your plan to arrange rides. If you receive fee-for-service MA, call MTM at 1-866-467-1724. Mileage and parking reimbursement is also available for those who drive themselves.

The Energy Assistance Program runs each year from October 1 through May 31. Eligible Hennepin County residents receive a grant paid directly to their gas or electric provider — reducing their bill without the money passing through their hands. Income-eligible households may also qualify for Crisis Assistance (up to $600) if they face an active disconnection, have fuel below 20%, or are age 60 or older with a past-due bill. The 2025–2026 program closed May 31, 2026. The 2026–2027 program opens October 1, 2026 — applications will be available at caphennepin.org in September. If you need help now and haven’t applied yet, contact your utility provider about the Cold-Weather Rule and ask about payment arrangements.

The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home energy efficiency upgrades for income-eligible renters and homeowners. Services may include insulation, sealing air leaks, improving heating systems, and making the home safer and healthier. Lower energy bills starting the following winter is the practical outcome — it’s not just comfort, it reduces the monthly bill permanently. Administered through the Sustainable Resource Center. Contact them at 612-870-4255 if you’re interested in Hennepin County.

The Homestead Credit Refund — sometimes called the “circuit breaker refund” — returns a portion of property taxes that are disproportionate to your household income. If you own and occupy your home as your primary residence, and your household income is under $142,490, you should check whether you qualify. A recent state law change boosted the 2025 refund amount by nearly 15%, and the state will automatically adjust any returns already filed. The filing deadline is August 15. File online in 20 to 30 minutes at revenue.state.mn.us, or use any major tax software. You must also make sure your home is properly classified as a homestead with Hennepin County — if it isn’t, that can be corrected before filing.

The Senior Citizen Deferral Program lets qualifying homeowners defer a portion of their property taxes — the state pays the county on your behalf, and the deferred amount accumulates as a low-interest lien against your property until it’s sold or transferred. This is a loan, not a grant — the deferred taxes must eventually be repaid. To qualify: you must be 65 or older (if married, one spouse must be 65 and the other at least 62), household income must be $96,000 or less, and the home must be your primary residence with a minimum of 15 years of ownership. A common point of confusion: if you also receive the Homestead Credit Refund, that refund is applied to reduce your deferred tax balance rather than going to you directly.

If your property tax bill jumped 12% or more over the prior year, you may qualify for a separate special refund — and there is no income limit for this one. You file it alongside the regular M1PR using Form M1PR-SR. This is especially relevant for Hennepin County homeowners whose homes were recently reassessed upward or whose local levies increased significantly. Check the math on your 2025 property tax statement (mailed March or April) before the August 15 deadline.

CCAP helps low-income working parents, those in job training, or those actively job searching pay for licensed child care. Payments go directly to your child care provider. There is currently an active waiting list for the Basic Sliding Fee program in Hennepin County. If you receive MFIP, however, you are likely eligible for child care assistance without the waitlist — ask your caseworker. Applications take 30 to 45 days to process. Your child care provider must be registered with the state. Call 612-348-5937 or apply at MNbenefits.mn.gov.

Losing a job because your car broke down is a financial crisis that other programs don’t address. CAP-HC’s Vehicle Repair Assistance Program does. Hennepin County residents at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can receive financial help paying for vehicle repairs — keeping the transportation that makes employment possible. Requirements include a valid Minnesota driver’s license, current auto insurance, proof of ownership, and a vehicle under 20 years old. Part of the process involves completing a Financial Wellness Workshop. Applications are available at the CAP-HC office at 2100 Plymouth Ave N, Suite 104, Minneapolis, or by calling 952-933-9639.

CAP-HC offers free tax filing assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, available to income-eligible Hennepin County residents each tax season. This isn’t just about saving the cost of a tax preparer — a trained VITA volunteer will make sure you claim every credit you’re eligible for, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and the Minnesota Property Tax Refund. Many families receive significantly larger refunds through VITA than they would by filing on their own, simply because the volunteers know which credits are often missed. Watch caphennepin.org for dates and locations, which are posted each January.