ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE AND HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS/SNAP
Cook County offers a number of programs to supplement families’ and individuals’ incomes. We provide the forms and supports you need to access key financial and health care benefits.
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Learn more about:
- Nutrition Assistance – SNAP
- Cash Assistance for Families
- Cash Assistance for Adults Without Children
- Child Care Assistance
- Emergency Assistance
- Burial Assistance
- Health Care Programs
- Health Care Access
- Additional resources
Nutrition Assistance – SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a county-run, federal program that helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for sound nutrition and well-balanced meals. The program issues electronic benefits that can help stretch your food budget. It is not intended to meet all of your food budget needs.
Expedited SNAP makes benefits available quickly to households unable to meet their food needs. You will receive your SNAP benefits within five working days of when you apply, if you are eligible, and provide us with proof of who you are.
The amount of SNAP benefits your household can get is based on the income, expenses, and the number of people in your household. If you are approved for SNAP, you will receive benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
Applications
- Request an application by calling Cook County PHHS at 218-387-3620 or call the Food Support hotline at (800) 657-3698. For TTY service, call the Minnesota Relay at 711 or (800) 627-3529.
- Apply in-person. Applications can be provided and submitted Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interviews for SNAP can also be conducted as an interview over the telephone.
- Apply online: MN Benefits a simple, secure Web application that connects you with state and county services to help meet your and your family’s basic needs.
- Print an application and mail or drop it off at our office at 411 W. 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Problems with your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card?
To report lost or stolen cards call 888-997-2227.
For information on using your EBT card see: How to Use your Minnesota EBT Card
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement: This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Cash Assistance for Families
Diversionary Work Program (DWP) is a four-month program that provides services and supports to eligible families to help them move immediately to work rather than stay on public assistance.
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) is Minnesota’s program that assists low-income families with children to move to economic stability through work. The MFIP grant includes a cash grant, food assistance, and employment services.
Cash Assistance for Adults Without Children
General Assistance (GA) helps Minnesotans with little or no income meet their basic needs. It offers a small monthly cash grant to people with serious illnesses, disabilities, or other issues that limit their ability to work.
Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) provides monthly cash support to help meet basic living expenses, such as clothing, utilities, housing, or special medical diets. It is mainly for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Applications
- Apply in-person. Applications are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Apply online: MN Benefits is a simple, secure Web application that connects you with state and county services to help meet your and your family’s basic needs.
- Print an application and mail it to or drop it off at our office at 411 W. 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Individuals and families with low incomes who meet eligibility rules may qualify for Minnesota Health Care Programs.
Child Care Assistance Program
Child Care Assistance helps families pay for child care so that parents can work, attend school or look for a job. This program is supported by state and federal funds.
Families may need to pay a portion of the child care cost. This amount is called a co-pay and is based on family size and income. Family income must be less than 47% State Median Income (SMI) at the time of initial application to qualify for funds.
Examples of income before taxes (effective October 4, 2021):
- Family of 2 – earn less than $36,096 a year
- Family of 3 – earn less than $44,589 a year
- Family of 4 – earn less than $53,083 a year
The Cook County Child Care Assistance program can pay any licensed child care center or licensed child care home that is registered with Anoka County. If you need help in finding licensed child care, you can call Parent Aware at 1-888-291-9811. The Child Care Assistance program can also pay legally unlicensed child care providers who are over the age of 18 and pass a background study. For more information, call us at 218-387-3620.
- Apply in-person. Applications are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Apply online: MN Benefits is a simple, secure Web application that connects you with state and county services to help meet your and your family’s basic needs.
- Print an application and mail it to or drop it off at our office at 411 W. 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance programs are available to qualifying persons to prevent homelessness or utility shut-off. Emergency programs include:Emergency Assistance helps eligible families who have children in the home under age 18.
- EA is a program that helps families with children under the age of 18 who are in danger of being evicted or having a utility shut off.
- EA can be used once in a 12-month period.
- Eligibility is based on income and assets at the time of application.
- EA is funded by allocation with limited funds.
- Additional rules may apply
Emergency General Assistance helps eligible adults without minor children in the home.
- EGA helps eligible households that do not qualify for EA, MFIP, or DWP.
- This program may be used in a crisis to assist with utilities and housing.
- EGA can be used once in a 12-month period.
- EGA is funded by allocation with limited funds.
- Additional rules may apply.
- Apply in-person. Applications are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Apply online: MN Benefits is a simple, secure Web application that connects you with state and county services to help meet your and your family’s basic needs.
- Print an application and mail it to or drop it off at our office at 411 W. 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Burial Assistance
The Burial Assistance Program can assist with the expense of immediate burial or direct cremation of residents of Cook County who do not have families don’t have the resources to do so themselves.
- Family members or friends of the decedent can:
- Apply in-person. Applications are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Print an application and mail it to or drop it off at our office at 411 W 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Health Care Programs
Applications
You can apply online, in person at the Public Health and Human Services office in the Cook County Courthouse during business hours, or you can request a paper application by calling 218-387-3620.If you are:
- 65 years of age or older
- Receiving Medicare coverage
- Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Applying for Medical Assistance for Employed Person with Disabilities (MA-EPD)
Download the Application for Certain Populations
If you are:
- A person who lives in or may need to move to a nursing home
- A person with a disability or age 65 or older who would like services to help you stay in your home
Download the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Payment of Long-Term Care Services
All others:
Apply through the MNsure healthcare marketplace. Applying for health care through MNsure is the fastest way to obtain coverage and if you are eligible for public assistance health coverage, such as medical assistance, MNsure may be able to provide an immediate eligibility determination.
Use the online application at MNsure.org or download the Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs
and mail to or drop off our office at 411 W. 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Health Care Access
Health Care Access services ensure that recipients of Medical Assistance are provided with or reimbursed for the appropriate level of needed transportation and other travel-related expenses to enable them to access necessary medical treatment. Recipients may be eligible for reimbursement for mileage to travel to medical appointments, along with expenses incurred for meals, parking, and lodging.
See the Cook County Health Care Access policy and procedure for requesting reimbursement for more information on this service.
Additional ResourcesDisability Linkage Line 1-866-333-2466
Senior Linkage Line 1-800-333-2433
MN Benefits Weblink
Bridge to Benefits
MNSure
Community Resource Guide Weblink
2021-22 Resource Guide.pdf (revize.com)
CONTACT US
Allison Plummer: Financial Assistance Supervisor
Address: Cook County Courthouse 411 W. 2nd Street Grand Marais, MN 55604
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm