Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance is the name given to assistance programs available to people who qualify according to state and federal guidelines of income and assets. These programs include cash assistance, child care assistance, food support (SNAP), health care, and emergency assistance.

How do I apply? You may phone Lake County Health and Human Services at (218) 834-8400, write us at Lake County Health and Human Services, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, MN 55616 or view the Minnesota Department of Human Services web page.

Alternatively, you may apply online, get started, visit Minnesota Human Services Online to use an online pre-screening tool to find out if you might qualify for benefits and to register for a user ID and password.

If you already have a user ID and password, you can log-on to ApplyMN directly.

Burial Assistance

In accordance with Minnesota Statute § 261.035, Lake County Health and Human Services (LCHHS) will provide for the immediate disposition or direct cremation of a deceased resident of Lake County who is otherwise unable to pay the cost of disposition of their remains.

Application for burial assistance must be made within three business days of the date of death. Application must be made to: Financial Assistance Unit, Lake County Health and Human Services, 616 Third Ave.,Two Harbors, MN 55616; Fax: 218-834-8412; Email: Financial.Assistance@co.lake.mn.us

Cash Assistance

MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) and DWP (Diversionary Work Program) are federally funded programs known as TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
MSA (Minnesota Supplemental Aid)
GA (General Assistance)
GRH (Group Residential Housing)

Child Care Assistance

Child care assistance may be available to families who are employed, seeking employment or are in school or training.
Eligibility and fees are based on family size and income.

Emergency Assistance

MFIP Crisis Funds
EGA (Emergency General Assistance)

Health Care

SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for sound nutrition and well-balanced meals. Approved participants get a debit card to use to buy food at many stores and farmers markets. In the past, SNAP was known as Food Stamps.

Emergency SNAP for COVID-19

Due to the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Minnesota is providing additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to certain households. The households eligible for additional benefits are those that are currently not at the maximum benefit level for their household size. In addition, now every household will receive a minimum of $95 per month in E-SNAP benefits, regardless of their maximum benefit level. Below are some of the details about the program and the issuance of the supplemental benefits:

Minnesota Department of Human Services staff will issue the supplemental benefits one month at a time.
Minnesota has been approved to extend E-SNAP for the benefit month of September (supplements will be issued in October).
Benefits are not guaranteed to continue and may end at any time.

Previous E-SNAP benefit issuance was dependent upon a state peacetime emergency being in place. This peacetime emergency ended 07/01/2021. Governor Walz has worked with USDA to obtain a COVID-19 public health emergency declaration that allows E-SNAP to continue as long as a federal disaster declaration is also in place. DHS will continue to request E-SNAP on a monthly basis based on these requirements.

Pandemic EBT for COVID-19

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a temporary food benefit available to Minnesota families with children who would have received free or reduced-price meals if schools were open. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorizes the P-EBT program. The Minnesota Department of Human Services and Minnesota Department of Education collaborate in the operation of the program in Minnesota.

Starting in late July, 2021 DHS will start issuing Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). This is a temporary food benefit to Minnesota families with children who would have received free or reduced-price meals if schools were open. Here are some details regarding the program:

The benefit will be $430 per child. This benefit will be issued in one lump sum covering the months of June, July and August 2021.
Benefits will be issued at the end of July, 2021 for the following families:
Those who were approved for free or reduced-price meals and enrolled in the last month of the 2020-2021 school year, regardless of their school’s learning year model. This benefit will be on a new or existing household P-EBT card or
Children 5 and younger who are enrolled in SNAP, MFIP or Tribal TANF during the months of June or July 2021. This benefit will be on the EBT card.
There may be additional children who are newly eligible for Summer P-EBT benefits despite not being eligible for P-EBT during the 2020-2021 school year. More guidance on issuing benefits to these children will be released as it becomes available.
Families that have questions about eligibility for these benefits can contact the P-EBT Hotline by completing the web form or by calling: 651-431-4608 or 833-454-0153. Please complete only web form, or call the hotline. Please do not do both.