Welfare Info

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 and focuses on helping families. It includes both cash and food assistance. When most fami...

What is 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 and focuses on helping families. It includes both cash and food assistance. When most families first apply for cash assistance, they will participate in the Diversionary Work Program, or DWP. This is a four month program that helps parents go immediately to work rather than receive welfare. Some families may be referred to MFIP when they first apply for assistance or after they finish four months of DWP. MFIP helps families transition to economic stability. Parents are expected to work and are supported in working. Most families can get cash assistance for only 60 months.

Program Requirements

In order to be eligible for these benefit programs, you must be a resident of Minnesota, either pregnant or responsible for a child under age 19, either a U.S. citizen or have a qualified non-citizen immigration status, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), or unemployed, and meet program asset limits.

Application Details

What is the application process for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)?

To apply, download and fill out an application:
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-5223-ENG

You must then file the application with your local county human services agency, which you can find here:
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-0005-ENG

You may also apply for this and other Minnesota programs online by visiting ApplyMN.

Contact Info

(651) 431-2000