The purpose of the Minnesota Investment Program (MFIP) is to provide temporary assistance to support families to become economically stable. Eligibility is limited to 60 months in a lifetime, with some exceptions. The MFIP grant can include cash, food, and Housing Assistance Grant portions by combining federal or state family cash assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is the cash portion of the grant which is time-limited. Families receiving any portion of the MFIP financial benefits are eligible to receive child care assistance through the MFIP/DWP child care assistance subprogram.

Parents on MFIP work with a job counselor to develop an Employment Plan. Parents can receive MFIP/DWP child care assistance to participate in the activities within the Employment Plan. See Chapter 4.6.3 (Authorized activities within an Employment Plan). There are some allowed authorized activities that a parent can receive MFIP/DWP child care assistance for that are outside an Employment Plan. See Chapter 4.6.6 (Authorized activities outside an Employment Plan).

Families receiving MFIP may experience special circumstances such as:

See Chapter 4.3.3.6 (MFIP special circumstances) to determine if these special circumstances affect the family’s child care assistance eligibility.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statute 119B.05
Minnesota Rule 3400.0080