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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 MFAP by completing a Combined Application Form (CAF) which is online in 10 languages at:

http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/SearchResults_DHS-3469 and submitting it to their county human services office add county link.

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.


Related Pages
•  FAQs - Food Support
•  Food Support Outreach
•  Minnesota Food Assistance Program

Related Links
•  Food shelves
•  MinnesotaHelp.info
•  School Nutrition Programs
•  Summer Food Service Program
•  USDA Food Nutrition Service
•  USDA Food Stamp Outreach
•  University of Minnesota Extension Service

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