1. Poverty Law 1 MFIP-S Five Year Time Limit Overview of Emergency Assistance Programs Adjunct Professor Monica Bogucki 2013 copyright Monica Bogucki

2. Overview of Emergency Assistance Programs ▪ MFIP-EA, Special Session, Chapter 14, Article 1, Section 94, Minn. Stat. 256J.626 (consolidated fund) ▪ Minn. Supplemental Assistance-EA, Minn. Stat. 256D.46 (repealed effective Nov. 1, 2011) ▪ Emergency General Assistance, Minn. Stat 256D.06, subd.2 ▪ Some counties use all county funds

3. MFIP-EA is no longer uniform state program Each county determines the eligibility criteria for that county ▪ Counties are not required to have a MFIP-EA program Ask the county for a copy of its guidelines

4. MFIP-S Emergency Assistance ▪ MFIP-EA- every county has different rules ▪ Some counties, participants can receive MFIP- EA once every 12 months ▪ Some counties, participants can receive MFIP- EA once in a lifetime

5. Use once every 12 months ▪ Emergency General Assistance, Minn. Stat. 256.D.06, subd. 2 ▪ Minnesota Supplemental Assistance Emergency Assistance, Minn. Stat. 256D.46, subd. 3 (repealed 2011 Special Session, program ends November 1, 2011

6. Assess every person in the household Determine each person in the household and which government benefit program, each person is receiving

7. Other items that may be covered emergency assistance ▪ Mortgage foreclosures; contract for deed cancellations ▪ Home repair- roof, foundation, wiring, heating system, chimney, water and sewer system ▪ Utility costs-water, sewer, electric, gas, heating includes wood heat too.

8. Emergency General Assistance also covers ▪ Each county will define emergencies for the Emergency General Assistance program effective November 1, 2011 ▪ Minn. Stat. 256D.02, subd. 2

9. Emergency General Assistance ▪ Primarily state funding ▪ Broader categories of eligibility ▪ 12 MONTH RULE NOW APPLIES TO EGA

10. Cost Effective What is cost effective? What if the emergency is not cost effective?

11. What is the Minnesota Department of Human Services Combined Manual? ▪ Financial workers have access to this and usually do not see statutes ▪ Available on the internet at Minnesota Department of Human Services website ▪ www.dhs.state.mn.us www.dhs.state.mn.us ▪ What if this manual is more restrictive than the statute?

12. MFIP-S Program FIVE YEAR TIME LIMIT

13. Exemptions vs. Extensions Exemption-if eligible for exemption, the month does not count towards 5 year limit Extension-extends benefits beyond five years by using state funds

14. Families started to reach the five year time limit in July 2002 ▪ Some families are eligible for an extension or exemptions

15. Family Violence Waiver- exemption ▪ Caregiver must have an approved safety plan/employment plan ▪ Those months will not count towards the five year time limit. ▪ Minn. Stat. 256J.42 subd. 4 ▪ Minn. Stat. 256J.425 subd. 3(4) ▪ Minn. Stat. 256J.521, subd. 3

16. Family Violence Waiver The family violence waiver/employment plan must be prepared by job counselor and domestic abuse counselor. May NOT require the participant to get an order for protection or to attend counseling. Minn. Stat. 256J.521,subd. 3

17. Exemption for caregivers age 60 or older. Minn. Stat. 256J.42 subd. 5(a)

18. Minor parent exemption and extension ▪ 18 or 19 year old caregiver who is complying with an education plan. ▪ Minn. Stat. 256J.42, subd. 5(d) ▪ Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd. 1(a)

19. Hardship extensions Minn. Stat. 256J.425. subd. 1(a) ▪ If a participant is in sanction the 60th month, the participant will NOT be eligible for an extension.

20. Extension categories ▪ Ill or incapacitated ▪ 30 days or more ▪ Qualified professional’s statement ▪ Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd. 2(1)

21. Caring for ill family/household member extension Lasts more than 30 days Qualified professional statement Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd. 2(2)

22. Caregivers With a child or adult household member who meets criteria for home care services/community-based waiver services Severe emotional disturbance or Serious and persistent mental illness Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd. 2(3)

23. Unemployable--determined by vocational specialist Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd. 3(2)(i)

24. IQ below 80 Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd 3(2)(ii)

25. Learning disability limits ability to obtain employment Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd 3(3)

26. Work activities One parent assistance unit work activities 30 hours per week of which 25 hours are in employment Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd 4(1)

27. Work activities Two parent assistance unit work activities 55 hours per week Minn. Stat. 256J.425, subd. 4(2)

28. Five year extension case studies Small group exercise