Hennepin County Welfare: Food Assistance

An EBT card gives you access to your SNAP (food) benefits. It works like a debit card and lets you buy groceries at approved stores. Get more details about how to use your card by reading Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card.

The State of Minnesota will mail your EBT card to you once you’re approved for SNAP benefits. Call Hennepin County at 612-596-1300 to discuss other options if you can’t receive mail.

Replace your lost or stolen EBT card

Visit the EBT FAQ page to learn how to replace your card or if it stops working.

To renew your benefits, go to MNbenefits and click the Apply Now button. Individuals who are renewing their benefits will follow the same application process as those applying for benefits for the first time.

You will receive the Household Update Form (DHS-8107-ENG) in the mail even if you have already submitted your renewal application online. If you choose to complete the paper forms, once you have filled out and signed the form, return it to Hennepin County by uploading it through your InfoKeep account or to MNbenefits. You can also send your documents by fax or mail them.

• Fax: 612-288-2981
• Mail: Hennepin County Human Services Department, P.O. Box 107, Minneapolis, MN 55440

If you don't have access to these options, there are document drop boxes available at any Human Service Center.

Download forms

You can visit http://edocs.mn.gov to download any form.

How to submit forms and documents and update your information

• Update information and upload documents to InfoKeep
• Upload to MNbenefits
• Fax to 612-288-2981
• Mail to:
  Hennepin County Human Services Department
  P.O. Box 107
  Minneapolis, MN 55440

If you don't have access to these options, there are document drop boxes available at any Human Service Center. 

Available drop boxes for residents

Northwest Human Service Center – Brooklyn Center

7051 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Northwest Human Service Center map

• Main floor lobby 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only

Health Services Building – downtown Minneapolis

525 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Health Services Building map

• Main floor lobby 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays only

South Suburban Human Service Center – Bloomington

9600 Aldrich Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55420
South Suburban Human Service Center map

• Outside building by Hennepin County entrance

South Minneapolis Human Service Center

2215 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
South Minneapolis Human Service Center map

• First floor 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays only

North Minneapolis Human Service Center

1001 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
North Minneapolis Human Service Center map

• Outside building near main entrance

The SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program offers job resources, support and training to residents receiving SNAP benefits. We can help you learn new skills, explore careers, and get a job.

Some people receiving SNAP must meet work requirements to maintain their benefits. If this applies to you, participating in SNAP Employment and Training is a way to meet your work requirement. Learn about SNAP time-limited work rules and who needs to follow them on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website. 

Services for SNAP recipients

Anyone who is currently receiving SNAP benefits is eligible for the SNAP Employment and Training program. We can help with the following:

• Career planning to identify your unique skills and job-related goals
• Support in your employment search, including resume review and interview preparation
• Job training to build skills and earn a certification
• Assistance for students to do well in school
• Financial support to help you get ready to work
• Ongoing support as you begin your new career

More information from the Minnesota Department of Human Services

Get started with SNAP Employment and Training

To get started with SNAP Employment and Training, contact an approved provider. Use this search tool to find organizations that offer qualifying education and training. 

For questions about employment and training resources, call 612-596-1708 or email wfd.snap.et@hennepin.us.

If you don't agree with an action taken on your case, you have the right to appeal.

File an appeal

There are several options to file.

Call 

• Minnesota Department of Human Services Appeals office: 651-431-3600 or,
• Hennepin County Economic Supports office: 612-596-1300  

Submit a handwritten request

Submit a handwritten request to appeal or use the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033 to Hennepin County:

• Mail
  Hennepin County Human Services Department
  PO Box 107
  Minneapolis, MN 55440
• Fax: 612-288-2981
• Upload to your account: mnbenefits.mn.gov
• Drop off: Any Hennepin County Human Service Center drop box 

Submit the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Submission instructions on the form. 

Timeline

You may appeal any agency action or benefits lost in the last 90 days. You may appeal a denial of restoration of lost benefits within the past year, and may appeal your benefit amount at any time during a current certification period.

Help while waiting for the appeal

You can continue to receive assistance while waiting for the appeal to be heard. If you lose the appeal, you must pay back any assistance received during that time.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

Mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or

Fax: 
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

Email:
FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.