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The Minnesota Food Assistance Program

The Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP) was created by the 1998 Minnesota Legislature in response to federal law changes, which made certain noncitizens ineligible for federally funded Food Support (formerly called Food Stamps). MFAP uses state funds to replace the benefits lost when federal Food Support eligibility ended. MFAP is only available to noncitizens 50 years of age or older.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for MFAP, all of the following conditions must be met:

• Participants must meet all eligibility conditions for Food Support except for U.S. citizenship requirements

• Participants must be qualified noncitizens or must be noncitizens lawfully residing in the United States

• Participants must reside in Minnesota and

• Participants must not be receiving assistance from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).

Monthly benefits

Participants receive the same amount of food assistance they would have been eligible for under the federally funded Food Support program. MFAP benefits are issued through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at retailers, which accept EBT.

Program operations

The program utilizes all of the program policies and procedures of the federally funded Food Support program except for provisions making noncitizens ineligible for benefits. Income, resources and property limits are identical to those used in the federally funded Food Support program.

How to apply

Applicants can request MFIP by completing a Combined Application Form (CAF) and submitting it to their county human services office.

Program outcomes

In state fiscal year 2003 (July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003, MFAP served about 1,200 households. Each household received an average of $131 per month. The total average issuance per month was $164,000 in payments per month. Total expenditures for MFAP for SFY 2003 were $1.9 million.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-A, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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