Food distribution including: - Assistance with SNAP (Food Support) benefits application - Mobile food drops - NAPS (Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors): Boxes of commodity food distributed to seniors

Provides services to residents of Red Lake area: - Adult Services - Child Support and Collections - Financial Services - Fraud Prevention Investigator

Program purpose is to support and empower seniors and caregivers by addressing their individual needs and preferences, enabling them to live safely and independently in their own homes, and communities, as long as possible - Assistance with MNsure - Confidential home visits - Eligibility determination and helping to complete forms for: - County benefits - Energy assistance - Medicaid and Medicare D - Home delivered meals - Home phone discounts and free cell phone program - Prescription drug discount programs - SNAP/EBT program - Help caregivers identify and meet needs of care receiver - Information and referral for: - Financial, legal and insurance issues - Health and safety - Housing - Long-term care consultation - Respite care and companionship - Ongoing contact and support - Training for caregivers

Automated main phone line and self-service system to route clients to a Human Service Representative to: - Get forms for health care programs, Cash Assistance, Food Support or Emergency Assistance - Get information about their case file, such as status of programs, forms or verifications that have been received, issuance of benefits, and proof of benefits - Report changes, such as address change, new baby, income change, and/or someone moving in or out of current residence

Provides triage services for situations as needed and reviews county case information. Services include: - Assistance with housing and basic needs - Community Collaborative Fund: Initial assessment for households at risk of homelessness. Individuals must have been denied by the Saint Louis County EGA or EA program, or have already used EGA/EA within the last 18 months. ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) funds are determined to be used for rent, rental deposit, mortgage, or utilities. NOTE: There is currently no funding at this time. - Forms and certificate assistance for county programs such as SNAP, WIC, EGA/EA, GA, child care assistance, MFIP, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, or Housing Support. Also, follow up with issues regarding MNsure applications. - Referrals to community services, mental health, and chemical dependency services outside of Saint Louis County

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires each state to operate an employment and training program for Food Support recipients. Goal is to help such recipients prepare for employment and become employed. Able-bodied Food Support recipients between the ages of 18-55 who do not receive cash benefits from other public assistance programs are required to participate in FSET employment and training services.

Short-term, work-focused program that provides recipients with support in moving to unsubsidized employment and increased economic stability. Families must work with Employment Services provider in order to remain eligible. Program is limited to a maximum of four consecutive months in a 12-month period. SNAP, child care assistance, and crisis fund/emergency assistance may be available.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires each state to operate an employment and training program for Food Support recipients. The goal of the FSET program is to help such recipients prepare for and become employed. The program operates in all 87 counties. County human service agencies administer the program, but generally contract with local employment and training service providers for delivery of services to program participants. At the state level, the program is jointly managed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Economic Security.

Provides support services for persons enrolled in county programs

Provides triage services for situations as needed and reviews county case information. Services include: - Assistance with housing and basic needs - Community Collaborative Fund: Initial assessment for households at risk of homelessness. Individuals must have been denied by the Saint Louis County EGA or EA program, or have already used EGA/EA within the last 18 months. ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) funds are determined to be used for rent, rental deposit, mortgage, or utilities. NOTE: There is currently no funding at this time. - Forms and certificate assistance for county programs such as SNAP, WIC, EGA/EA, GA, child care assistance, MFIP, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, or Housing Support. Also, follow up with issues regarding MNsure applications. - Referrals to community services, mental health, and chemical dependency services outside of Saint Louis County

Food Support recipients may be required to participate in FSET services in Minnesota. Each participant is first provided with an orientation to program services followed by an individual assessment and completion of an employability plan. Depending on the individual's needs, they may take part in job seeking training, group and individual job search activities, remedial literacy or other adult basic education, English language training, short-term vocational or technical training, job placement and assistance with transportation or other supportive services. Participants who fail to comply with program requirements are subject to sanctions and could temporarily or permanently lose food benefits.

- Pre-screen food support applicants - Offer application assistance either in person or over the phone - Provide information on other local food resources - ?Food Support or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps is a County-based program that provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families. It serves to help supplement monthly grocery budgets, ensuring access to healthy foods. - Tri-CAP offers screening to those who are interested in the program but aren't sure if they qualify or not. For those who may qualify, application assistance is offered either in person or over the phone. The completed application is then submitted to the county in which the client resides.

Food Support recipients may be required to participate in the Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) program. Each participant is first provided with an orientation to program services followed by an individual assessment and completion of an employability plan. Depending on the individual's needs, they may take part in job seeking training, group and individual job search activities, remedial literacy or other adult basic education, English language training, short-term vocational or technical training, job placement, and assistance with transportation or other supportive services. Participants who fail to comply with program requirements are subject to sanctions and could temporarily or permanently lose food benefits.

Assistance to households in need of help navigating the resources available in the community to provide short-term economic supports. Including: - Medicare (Medicare counselors) - MNSure (MNSure navigators) - SNAP - Social Security and Disability Benefits

Provides support services for persons enrolled in county programs

- If you are unhappy with the action taken or feel the agency did not act on your request for assistance, you may appeal orally or in writing within 30 days to the County agency or write directly to the State Appeals office at the Department of Human Services - If you show good cause for appealing, the state agency can accept your appeal for up to 90 days from the date of the notice - If you wish your assistance to continue until the hearing, you must appeal before the date of the proposed action or within 10 days from the date of the agency notice, whichever is later - Ask your county worker to explain how the timing of your appeal could affect your present or future assistance - If you feel you are treated differently in the handling of a public assistance application or payment, because of race, color, national origin, physical, mental or emotional disability, you may file a complaint orally or in writing, with any of these agencies * Department of Human Services Human Services Building 444 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-3833 * Department of Human Rights 500 Bremer Tower 7th Place and Minnesota Street St. Paul, MN 55101

Assist with the application process for SNAP

The federal Lifeline and the state Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) provide a monthly discount on phone bills, including cell phones. Lifeline is a discount of approximately $9.25, which can be used for wireless phones, broadband internet, home phones, or a bundle. Some cellular companies may provide free cellular phones, and additional discounts or minutes. TAP is a discount of $7 that can only be used for home phones. Those living on federally recognized tribal lands/reservations can receive additional discounts. Customers cannot receive multiple discounts (landline and wireless, or two wireless). Only one discount per household is allowed. The discount continues for as long as the consumer remains eligible, but eligibility must be certified on an annual basis. While all local telephone companies offer TAP, not all local telephone companies are required to offer Lifeline. The following wireless companies offer the Lifeline program: - Access Wireless: (866)594-3644 - American Assistance: (877)266-7212 - Assist Wireless: (855)392-7747 - Assurance Wireless: (888)321-5880 - enTouch Wireless: (866)488-8719 - Life Wireless: (888)543-3620 - North American Local: (877)200-1367 - SafeLink Wireless: (800)723-3546 - StandUp Wireless: (800)544-4441 - Tag Mobile: (866)959-4918 - Tempo Telecom: (877)822-8501 - TerraCom Wireless: (888)716-8880 - T-Mobile Wireless: (800)937-8997 - TruConnect: (800)430-0443 The list is periodically updated; visit website for the most up to date information.

The goal of the FSET program is to help Food Support recipients prepare for and become employed. The program operates in all 87 counties. County human service agencies administer the program, but generally contract with local employment and training service providers for delivery of services to program participants.

Provides information on Food Stamps/Food Support/SNAP program, and assistance in the application process. Outreach is provided through food shelves and other local agencies dealing with food issues, and individually as needed.

Food Support recipients may be required to participate in the Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) program. Each participant is first provided with an orientation to program services followed by an individual assessment and completion of an employability plan. Depending on the individual's needs, they may take part in job seeking training, group and individual job search activities, remedial literacy or other adult basic education, English language training, short-term vocational or technical training, job placement, and assistance with transportation or other supportive services. Participants who fail to comply with program requirements are subject to sanctions and could temporarily or permanently lose food benefits.

Automated main phone line and self-service phone system to route clients to a Human Service Representative to: - Get forms for health care programs, Cash Assistance, Food Support, or Emergency Assistance - Get information about their case file, such as status of programs, forms or verifications that have been received, issuance of benefits, and proof of benefits - Report changes, such as address change, new baby, income change, and/or someone moving in or out of current residence