Frequently Asked Questions:

Cash/Food Support Benefits
How do I apply for assistance?
Answer: We recommend that you call our office to be screened for potential eligibility for assistance programs. Then you would complete an application, come in for a scheduled interview and provide all required verification for a determination of eligibility to be made.

Where can I get an application?
Answer: You can get an application at any County agency, you can pick up an application or call the office and have one mailed out to you or you can print an application on-line at www.dhs.state.mn.us

“My husband lost his job; he is getting Unemployment and I work but we don’t have enough money to pay our bills; we have paid taxes for years, how come we cannot get help when we need it?”
Answer: All of our programs are based on gross income, household size and assets as well as other policies; you may not have enough money to meet all of your bills/needs, however, your income may still exceed the income limits for your household size for most of our programs. If you have questions regarding whether or not you are eligible, contact our office and speak with a worker regarding your specific household situation.

What is needed to apply for Crisis Funds?
Answer: To be eligible for Crisis Funds, you cannot have received Emergency Assistance funds within the last 36 months; you would need to have a minor child or pregnant woman in your household; you will need to have an eviction notice or utility shutoff; your household must have spent 50% or more of your gross income in the 60 days preceding the application on basic need items (rent, utilities, food); you must be living in affordable housing; you must have resided in Minnesota for 30 days or more; and in addition to these requirements, you must meet all other Crisis Funds criteria. To inquire about Crisis Funds, contact our office to speak with a worker

When are my benefits going to be on the EBT card?
Answer: See below for monthly cash and food benefit availability

Cash Benefit Type	If your case number ends in	Your cash benefits are available after 6 a.m. on the
DWP/MFIP	1,3,5,7 or 9	2nd to last day of every month
DWP/MFIP	0,2,4,6 or 8	The last day of every month
GA, MSA & RCA	0 thru 9	1st day of every month

If your case number ends in	Your food benefits are available after 12:01 a.m. on the
4	4th of every month
5	5th of every month
6	6th of every month
7	7th of every month
8	8th of every month
9	9th of every month
0	10th of every month
1	11th of every month
2	12th of every month
3	13th of every month

Why did I get a notice that my case is closing for no Household Report Form (HRF) when I already turned it in?
Answer: Your worker may not have entered the information in the system for a number of reasons such as an incomplete form (missing verification, incomplete answers, not all required signatures, etc.); incomplete forms are returned to you for completion AND/OR you turned the form in after the due date of the 8^th of the month.

I turned in my paperwork before the first but my benefits are not on my card, why?
Answer: Your Household Report Form (HRF) or review forms were due in our office on the 8^th of the month and if they were provided after that there is no guarantee your benefits will be on time; complete paperwork is processed in the order it is received and if you remain eligible your benefits will be on your card when you paperwork has been completed. To receive your benefits on time, you must complete the HRF or review process timely, allowing the worker time to process the paperwork.

Health Care
How do I apply for Medical Assistance?
Answer: Complete a Minnesota Health Care application or request Health Care on the Combined Application Form. Forms can be picked up at either Scott County agency location or you can call and request one be mailed to you.

How long does it take to find out if I am eligible for Medical Assistance?
Answer: Upon receipt of an application for MA, you will be sent a pending letter requesting information needed to determine eligibility. We have up to 45 days to process your application unless you are pregnant; we will process the pending applications in the order that all information is received. Pregnant woman applications should be processed within 15 days if all information is provided. If a disability certification is being pursued, an application can pend up to 60 days. Failure to provide all necessary documentation may result in denial of your request at 45 or 60 days.

What do I need to provide when I apply for Health Care?
Answer: You need to provide a completed Health Care Application form. If anyone you are applying for is a U.S. citizen, we will need proof of citizenship (passport, US certified birth certificate, etc.) and proof of identity (i.e. state issued ID, school ID) for anyone 16 and older. If someone is applying that is not a U.S. citizen, we will need a copy of the front and back of their immigration card. You will also need to provide proof of all household income and assets. You may be requested to provide other information once we review your application.

How much can I make to be eligible for Health Care?
Answer: MA Monthly Income Limits (changes periodically)

Family size	1	2	3
Infants under age 2	$2,427	$3,267	$4,107
Children ages 2 through 18	1,300	1,750	2,200
Children ages 19 and 20	867	1,167	1,467
Pregnant woman	--	3,209	4,034
Adults with children	867	1,167	1,467
People who are blind or have a disability	867	1,167	1,467

My Health Care is due for a review but I haven’t received any paper work yet. What do I need to do?
Answer: Read your notice to find the renewal date, call your worker if you have not received any paper work the month prior to your eligibility end date.

Child Care
With the new MEC² statewide Child Care system will providers have the ability to enter billing forms on-line?
Answer: There is currently a pilot program testing this process.

Can you mail me out a Child Care Assistance application?
Answer: You will need to be screened to see if you are income eligible for our Basic Sliding Fee program. We currently have a waiting list. If you appear to be eligible, we can add you to the waiting list effective the date of your inquiry. Our current waiting list is approximately 2 years out due to inadequate funding from the State/Federal government.

If my MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) or DWP (Diversionary Work Program) closes will my Child Care close?
Answer: When your MFIP/DWP closes, you may be eligible for TY (Transition Year) Child Care for up to one year if you meet the TY program requirements regarding activities, income, etc.

Fraud
“If I suspect someone is committing fraud, what should I do?”
Answer: Call Scott County Human Services at 952-496-8686 or the State Fraud Hotline at 1-800-627-9977 and say you would like to report possible fraud of public assistance. A representative for the State will take the information and forward it to Scott County. Please be prepared to give as much information as possible regarding the person you believe is committing fraud and what type of fraud is being committed. You may remain anonymous.