Cash assistance programs provide a monthly check to persons who meet eligibility criteria for the programs. Persons must fill out a formal application to have eligibility determined.

General Assistance (GA)

The GA Program provides cash assistance to single and married adults without children whose income and assets are within program limits.

Housing Support (Previously known as GRH)

The Housing Support Program is available to help recipients pay for room and board costs when living in certain group living arrangements. The recipient cannot be related to the person providing the care, and the home must be registered and licensed by the county. To qualify, the recipient must meet GA or Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (MSA) basis of eligibility.

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

MFIP provides cash, food, medical, and child care assistance for families whose income and assets are within program limits. Congress and the state legislature have limited this program to 60 months per lifetime. MFIP requires participation with employment and training services (some exemptions may apply.)

2024-2025 Clay County MFIP Biennial Plan (PDF)

Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (MSA)

The MSA Program provides cash assistance which supplements Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals, whose income and assets are within program limits.

Emergency Assistance

Emergency programs are short-term help for people who need money for a crisis. Emergency Assistance (EA), Emergency General Assistance (EGA), and Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA) programs are for people who have had a fire, utility shut off, eviction, illness, theft, loss of job, or other major problems.

Emergency Assistance

EA is for those persons who have children in the home under age 21.

Emergency General Assistance

Emergency GA is for those persons who cannot receive Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), EA, or EMSA.

Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid

EMSA is for persons receiving Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (MSA) or Group Residential Housing (GRH).