Financial Services
CASH ASSISTANCE AND CHILD CARE NEEDS
204 1st. St. NW, Aitkin, MN
M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Ph: 218-927-7200 or 1-800-328-3744
Email: achhs@co.aitkin.mn.us
to contact your financial worker:
Ph. 218-927-7200
email: finanical.services@co.aitkin.mn.us
MN Benefits Online Service:
MN Benefits is Minnesota's secure, online system you can use to apply for cash assistance, food assistance (SNAP), emergency assistance. housing supports, and child care assistance.
To get started. visit MN Benefits to use an online prescreening 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 login to MN Benefits directly. You can also download the Application here.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) – This is a subsidized assistance program to help pay for child care services. Child Care Assistance is for people who are active in an approved activity such as employment, seeking employment and some educational plans.
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) – This program provides services and support for low-income families who have a child(ren) under age 19 and pregnant women. This is a combined Cash Assistance and Food Program.
Diversionary Work Program (DWP) – This is a four-month program that provides service and support to eligible families to help them move immediately to work.
General Assistance (GA) – This program is for adults without children, who have a serious illness, disability or other reason that limits their ability to work.
Housing Supports (formerly Group Residential Housing – GRH) – This program pays for room and board for seniors and adults with disabilities who have low incomes. The program aims to reduce and prevent people from living in institutions or becoming homeless.
Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) – This program provides some service and support for people whose disability, retirement, or other income is not enough based on the SSA Federal Benefit Rate. MSA is for people who are aged 65 or older, disabled, or blind, and aged 18 or older.
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) – This is a limited-time monthly cash payment for certain refugees who have been in the USA for eight months or less.
Emergency Assistance & Emergency General Assistance (EA & EGA) – These programs offer one-time assistance for people who meet income eligibility guidelines who may be experiencing a financial crisis.
FOOD PROGRAM-SNAP
Contact your financial worker
Ph: 218-927-7200
Email: financial.services@co.aitkin.mn.us
MN Benefits Online Service:
MN Benefits is Minnesota's secure, online system you can use to apply for cash assistance, food assistance (SNAP), emergency assistance. housing supports, and child care assistance.
To get started. visit MN Benefits to use an online prescreening 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 login to MN Benefits directly. You can also download the Application here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Minnesotans with low income 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.
What can SNAP Purchase?
SNAP can be used like cash in most food stores to purchase food and plants or seeds that grow food for a household to eat. SNAP cannot be used for non-food items (such as hygiene, household or paper products), alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, drugs, pet foods, foods to be eaten in the store or hot/ready to eat foods.
How to Apply for SNAP
ACHHS has Combined Application Forms available in our office or we can mail, fax or email you a packet with the Application. Other options are to complete this printable Combined Application Form: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-5223-ENG or apply online at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
- Applications can be submitted at our office, mailed, faxed, emailed or via an online application at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
- The date we receive the completed & signed page 1 of the Combined Application Form or a MNBenefits application sets the date SNAP benefits could begin.
- An interview is required for SNAP. Most interviews are over the phone but can be completed face-to-face if you choose.
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
An EBT card is a safe, convenient and easy way for recipients to get their SNAP and some cash benefits each month. If you are approved for SNAP, in most cases your EBT card will be mailed to the address you provide at the time of your application.
The EBT Edge website allows you to set up an account to verify your card balance, review transactions, and replace card. Another tool for you is the ebtEDGE mobile app found in your device’s app store.
Lost or Stolen EBT Card? Call customer service right away at Toll-Free: 888-997-2227. Do not call your financial worker.
Minnesota Food HelpLine 1-888-711-1151, Mon-Fri 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS
Contact your financial worker
Ph: 218-927-7200
Email: financial.services@co.aitkin.mn.us
Medical Assistance (MA) – MA is Minnesota’s Medicaid Program. MA can pay for current, future and in some cases, three month old medical bills. This is a program for all populations within certain income limits and some asset limits. Those who are offered other health insurance could also qualify if they meet eligibility criteria. To get help filling out MA application, call 955-366-7873 or contact an assister in your area by visiting www.mnsure.org for assister network. You can also call Aitkin County Health & Human Services Financial Services at 218-927-7200 or 800-328-3744.
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) – MA-EPD is a work incentive program that provides MA coverage to employed people with certified disabilities. You must earn more than $65/month, have required taxes withheld from earnings and have under $20,000 in assets. An eligible person would pay a monthly premium based on their income for this program.
Medicare Savings Programs – Medicare Savings Programs can help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-pays for people enrolled or eligible to enroll in Medicare.
MinnesotaCare – MinnesotaCare is low-cost health care coverage for Minnesotans who do not qualify for MA or Medicare or cannot get affordable insurance through their employer. Most people pay a monthly premium based on their household size and income.
Medical Assistance Payment for Long-Term Care Services (MA-LTC) – Long-Term Care Services include:
- Live in or may need to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
- Applying for a Home and Community Bases Waiver to help you stay in your home.
Waiver programs allow some people with disabilities, age 65 or older or who have chronic medical needs to receive services in the community rather than in an institution. If you are seeking a waiver, you will also need a MnCHOICES Assessment.
How To Apply For Minnesota Health Care Programs
- Children, Adults with Children & Adults without a disability/under 65 years old, including Minnesota Care:
- Online at mnsure.org
- Complete a paper Application for Health Care Coverage and email, fax, mail or drop it off at our office.
- Individuals who are Medicare eligible, age 65 and older or certified disabled through Social Security:
- Complete the paper Application for Certain Populations and email, fax, mail or drop it off at our office
- Individuals who need additional assistance through Long-Term Care Services such as Nursing Home or Home & Community Based Waivers:
- Complete the paper Application for Payment of Long-Term Care Services and email, fax, mail or drop it off at our office.
Medical Transportation – Individuals who have Medical Assistance eligibility can receive financial reimbursement or rides to medical appointments. The following are two ways to help with this service:
Have your own car or someone to drive you? Contact MTM for prior approval for Gas Mileage Reimbursement at 1-844-399-9466.
Need a ride? Contact your health plan. If you do not have a health plan, contact MTM. See this Transportation Resource for assistance.
County Burial/Public Assistance Fraud
Contact your financial worker
Ph: 218-927-7200
Email: financial.services@co.aitkin.mn.us
County Burial Assistance
This service can assist with the cremation or burial costs of deceased residents of Aitkin County. The Aitkin County Burial Policy provides an overview of the criteria for county burial, which includes allowances and covered items.
Apply For Burial Assistance:
Download Aitkin County Burial Application (PDF) Complete and return application to: Aitkin County Health & Human Services, 204 ISt Street NW, Aitkin, MN 56431, or email to: financial.services@co.aitkin.mn.us
Public Assistance Fraud
Aitkin County Health & Human Services actively pursues and investigates suspected fraudulent activity. Receipt of benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance, Child Care Assistance, and Medical Assistance may be based upon who is living in the home and the income and/or assets of all or some of the household residents.
If a person intentionally gives false information or conceals facts about their situation in order to receive or increase their benefits, they may be subject to prosecution or administrative action. This could result in felony-level charges, sentencing, and disqualification from receiving more program benefits. Selling or trading EBT benefits (cash assistance or SNAP) is also fraud.
How to report different types of fraud
MN Fraud Hotline Flyer