The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe chose to operate a Tribal TANF program beginning 1-1-99. The Band’s program requires that there be at least 1 adult on the grant and that adult must be an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe or a 1st generation descendent. The Band has currently designated a 7-county service area covering Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Pine counties.

The Band expanded the Tribal TANF program effective April 1, 2005, to enrolled members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (Leech Lake, White Earth, Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, and Mille Lacs) residing in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, or Chisago counties. Members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) living in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, or Chisago counties have the option to receive either MFIP through the county or Tribal TANF administered by staff of the Mille Lacs Band. Families have the choice to apply through the county or through Tribal TANF. To participate in the Tribal TANF program there must be at least 1 active adult enrolled in MCT. Child-only cases must receive MFIP benefits through the county where the child resides.

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program is similar to the MFIP program, including grant amounts and benefit issuance methods. EXCEPT for the initial transfer of existing eligible MFIP cases from the covered service area to the Band, handle case transfers into and out of the Tribal TANF program in the same manner as transfers from county to county. See 0008.06.21 (Change in County of Residence). Minnesota counties and agencies receiving transfers from Mille Lacs Tribal TANF must review and reapprove MFIP for the participants for the next eligible month under MFIP policy.

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will determine eligibility for SNAP and health care for families receiving benefits under the Tribal TANF program. The Band under contract with DCYF provides child care services to families receiving Tribal TANF and living in the counties of Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Morrison, and Pine. Tribal TANF families living in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, and Chisago counties receive child care services through the county. People who are applying for ONLY SNAP, health care, child care, or child support services must apply at their county of residence with a few exceptions. People applying for ONLY SNAP or child care that are receiving Tribal TANF and are living in the counties of Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Morrison, and Pine may apply either with their county of residence OR directly with the Mille Lacs Band.

Consult with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe regarding sanctions or sanction policy specific to their Tribal TANF program. If a Tribal TANF participant leaves the Tribal service area and wants to continue getting MFIP, the Band will remove all Tribal TANF specific sanctions before transferring the case.

Even though participants must assign their rights and cooperate with child support requirements, the state may retain only the medical and child care support that is assigned. The state must release other forms of child support it collects to the participant.

The Tribal TANF program will conduct hearings for appeals related to cash issued or claimed under the Tribal TANF program. Appeals for SNAP, health care, or child support issues will be heard through regular appeals process. See 0027 (Appeals).

For general information on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program, see 0029.06.24 (Tribal TANF Programs).