achieve with us budget stretchers creative housing conference november 14, 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Achieve with us
Budget Stretchers
Creative Housing ConferenceNovember 14, 2015
Achieve with us
General Assistance• State-funded program administered by each
county• Cash grants up to $203 monthly to adults
without children • 14 eligibility categories related to illness,
disability, or injury that prevent individual from working
• Must have countable assets of less than $1,000 AND countable income less than $203 per month
• Very few people who receive GA report income from work
• May be able to receive GA while applying for SSI; have to pay GA back if SSI is awarded
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Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
• Additional cash benefit to people who are aged, blind, or disabled AND• Are receiving SSI/SSDI OR • Would be eligible for SSI except the individual has too much income• Gives a monthly cash benefit in addition to SSI• Most people eligible for SSI are also eligible for MSA• Currently very underutilized by those who are eligible
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP)Formerly known as Food Stamps
• County run program funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)• If everyone in the household receives SSI, MSA or GA, all household members
qualify for SNAP• Income limits are higher for households with a member who has a disability
• Recipes using SNAP costs:• SNAP-ED Connection
• https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/basic-nutrition-everyone/healthy-low-cost-recipes
• LeeAnne Brown• http://www.leannebrown.com/
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General Assistance, MSA, SNAP
To apply:• Complete the Combined Application Form (CAF) and submit to the county of residence https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-5223-ENG
• Apply online• https://
applymn.dhs.mn.gov/online-app-web/spring/public/process-login?execution=e1s1
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Energy Assistance Program
• Assists with paying for heating costs, emergency repairs and/or energy education
• May assist with heating costs included as part of rent• Must apply by May 31st for the next heating season• May assist with utility disconnections • Advocacy with energy suppliers and human services providers on
behalf of consumers• To qualify for assistance, the maximum annual income for a family of 1
is $23,949• Average yearly energy assistance is $500
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Weatherization Assistance Program
• Energy audits to evaluate potential weatherization work• Exterior wall and attic insulation• Air infiltration and bypass sealing• Testing, repair, or replacement of homeowner mechanical systems• Participant education• Priority given to households with a member with a disability
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EAP, WAP
• Applications available at • http://mn.gov/commerce/energy/
• List of energy assistance providers by county• http://
mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumers/Financial-Resources/Energy-Assistance-Program/Energy-Assistance-Providers.jsp
• Call 1-800-657-3710 or 651-296-2860 (TTY) for assistance.
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Phone Discounts
• Individuals receiving Medical Assistance, SNAP, SSI, Energy Assistance and other public benefits are eligible
• Lifeline provides a monthly discount of $9.25 for the primary phone line (even if it’s a cell phone)
• Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) provides a $3.50 discount for home land lines
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Phone Discounts
• Applications for Lifeline and TAP available online at• https://
mn.gov/commerce/consumers/Low-Income-Residents/index.jsp
• A list of providers accepting Lifeline is available online• http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/companies/companies.aspx
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Fare for All
• Offers packages of fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40% savings• No need to sign up; visit a location & bring home food that day• Exact content of the packages changes each month while the value
remains the same• Accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and EBT cards (no checks)• During the holidays the monthly special contains all of the fixings for a
holiday meal• Open to all – no income requirements• Packages range from $10 to $30• To find a distribution site visit their website at www.fareforall.org
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Meals on Wheels• 35 community-based programs in the Twin Cities Metro• Daily hot meal or weekly frozen meal delivery to homes of people with
disabilities• Price is negotiable based on individual’s ability to pay• https://meals-on-wheels.com/• 612-623-3363
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Food Shelves
• Food shelves http://www.foodpantries.org/st/minnesota• http://www.hungersolutions.org/give-help/map/• Hours and days varies• Inventory varies greatly• May go to multiple food shelves each month
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Free Dinners• http://
csrnetwork.yuku.com/topic/30/FREE-MEALS-CALENDAR-INFO-Minneapolis
• http://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/dining_sites.html
• http://salvationarmynorth.org/community/twin-cities-metro/locations/worship-service/
• http://www.hungersolutions.org/give-help/map/
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Farmer’s Markets & CSAs
• Farmer’s Markets • Many accept EBT
http://minnesotagrown.com/member-directory/
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)• http://www.localharvest.org/csa/• Some accept EBT
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Clothing & Household Goods
Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers
Bloomington Brooklyn Center
New HopeRichfieldSt. Paul
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Clothing & Household Goods
• http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/minneapolis_clothing_closets.html
• http://www.ppl-inc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Twin-Cities-Clothing-and-Household-Resources-and-Thrift-Stores.pdf
• www.twincitiesfreemarket.org
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Reduced Price Memberships • Science Museum of Minnesota
Half price membership or admission if receiving public benefitshttp://www.smm.org/tickets/discounts
• Children’s MuseumFree memberships or reduced cost based on income
http://www.mcm.org/join/all-play-membership/• Walker Art MuseumFree every Thursday evening 5 – 9:00 and the First Saturday of each month
http://www.walkerart.org/visit/hours-and-admission• Guthrie Theater$5 tickets
http://www.guthrietheater.org/visit/access_services/financial_accessibility/guthrie_gateway_tickets
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Reduced Price Memberships • YMCA
Scholarships are available; contact the Y for more info• Community CentersMany offer discounted membership, programs or entrance• Federal Access PassFree lifetime pass to more than 2000 federal recreation areas
http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html• Minnesota State Park Camping½ price camp sites for individuals with a physical disability and a state parking permit or a Federal Access Pass
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PCs for People
• Refurbishes computers donated by local businesses and individuals, and distributes them to those in need and repair computers.
• Recipient must be below the 200% poverty level, $23,540 or be currently or be enrolled in a government assistance program
• Repair computers for $25• www.pcsforpeople.org
• (651) 354-2552
Pet Care• Spay or Neuter
• Spay Neuter Assistance Program• http://mnsnap.org/
• Kindest Cut• http://www.kindestcutmn.com/ or call 763-489-SPAY (7729)
• Low Cost Pet Care• Animal Care Foundation• Member Vet Clinics in Hennepin and Washington Counties donate vet care to
persons who are blind, disabled, elderly and in financial need• http://animalcarefoundation.org/index.html or 763-529-5060
• Pet Food Shelves• Interactive map of pet food shelves, quarterly vaccination clinic
• http://www.peopleandpetstogether.org/
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Bridging
• Provides a one-time gift of quality furniture and household items
• Must be referred by a Bridging referral agency http://www.bridging.org/index.php/programs-a-services/how-to-get-help/agency-finder
• www.bridging.org
• 651-631-3255
