Basic Needs

Public programs and resources that help with food, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities.

Quick Links to: Energy | Food | Housing | Transportation

For immediate assistance with basic needs, call the United Way 211 Hotline: 651-291-0211, 1-800-543-7709 or text your zip code to 898-211* (available 24 hours/7 days).

Financial Assistance

There are several options below to learn about a variety of financial assistance programs available to families in MN, including eligibility screening and application access.

Find out what you may be eligible for: Bridge to Benefits

Bridge to Benefits offers an online screening tool to help determine potential eligibility and make referrals to local organizations for application and enrollment assistance. Complete a simple questionnaire to learn if you are eligible for up to twelve financial assistance programs and tax credits.

Apply for Benefits: MN Benefits (mn.gov)

Apply for benefits for up to nine financial assistance programs in less than 20 minutes. The mobile-friendly application works across all browsers, computers, laptops and phones and is available in Spanish, with more languages to come. It’s easy to upload documents, and no account login is necessary.

County Programs for Families

Talk with county staff to learn about additional financial assistance programs you and your family may be eligible for.

Community Action Agencies

Community Action Agencies and Tribal Nations provide a variety of additional programs and services including homeless prevention, housing assistance, utility bill assistance, healthcare enrollment, food support, early childhood programming, financial asset building, transportation, and more.

Energy Assistance and Weatherization

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Energy Assistance Programs

Help for homeowners and renters with heat and utilities costs.

Weatherization Assistance Programs

Help for income-qualified homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs

Food

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Minnesota Food HelpLine

Call 1-888-711-1151, chat or email to get help from the Minnesota Food HelpLine to see if you qualify for SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) or to learn more about food shelves, free meals, farmers’ markets, or other food resources in your area (available from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.).

County Programs for Food Support

Apply for county programs, including Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), SNAP Food Support, and WIC.

Free Meals for Kids - Hunger Impact Partners: Mobile App

Download the Free Meals for Kids mobile app will help families and kids find free meals at schools and other sites across Minnesota.

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)

SUN Bucks (formerly known as Summer EBT) is an income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer.

Food Shelves and Food Distribution

Free food support

WIC (Prenatal to age 5)

Healthy eating and breastfeeding support program for pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children. Benefits include nutrition information, healthy foods, and referrals to other services in the community. Apply for WIC through the online application.

Health Insurance

MNsure is where individuals and families can shop, compare and choose health insurance coverage that meets their needs. For more information on MNsure, click here.

• Get free help from an enrollment expert (MNsure-certified assister). To learn about the different kinds of assisters and how they can help you every step of the way, click here.

Housing

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Housing Benefits 101

Ask for help using phone (1-866-333-2466), chat and email options. Explore housing options, discover what works for you and make a plan.

Affordable Housing Options

Subsidized housing, HRA Housing Choice Vouchers, Privately Owned Affordable Housing

Family Homeless and Prevention Assistance Program

Short-term help for low-income families, youth and single adults who are homeless or about to become homeless

Help to Find Housing

Community agencies that help families find housing

Homeless Services: Coordinated Entry Access Points

If you are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or don't have a place you can stay for very long, get help from Minnesota's Coordinated Entry System

Housing Stabilization Services (HSS)

A Medicaid service for adults with disabling conditions experiencing housing instability. Heads of households can qualify and the entire family benefits.

Rental Housing Assistance

Need help finding and paying for rental housing

Shelters

Emergency, domestic violence and youth shelters

Transitional Housing Programs

Housing and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless or in need of safe housing.

Job Training and Career Development

Job Training

Employment preparation and training programs

Career Development and Counseling

Help learning about and finding a new career

Transportation

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Transportation Services

Organizations that provide or arrange transportation

Local Bus Service

Find local bus options

Greater MN Transit options

Clickable map that contains information for Greater Minnesota public and tribal transit providers, as well as intercity bus routes and stops.

MN Transit

Find public transit information for the seven-county metro area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties).

Low-Cost Car Repair

Low-cost repair services that help with minor automobile repair and maintenance problems.

Medical Transportation

Organizations that provide rides to non-emergency medical appointments for people around their community. Pregnant people that are on Medical Assistance are eligible for free medical transportation to appointments.

• Transportation to medical appointments may be free for newborns, children and youth through age 20 years who are receiving Medical Assistance. Contact your Child and Teen Checkups Coordinator for help.