Minnesota Minnesota

MFIP Employment Services Manual

MFIP Employment Services Manual


Please note: this is not the most recent revision of this document.
All links to other documents have been disabled, as they may be out of date. This document is presented for historical purposes only.

5.15 Employment Services Overview

ISSUE DATE: 08/2023

The employment services overview should clearly explain the opportunities MFIP offers and the expectations it has for participants.


MFIP participants must attend an employment services overview.

Overviews can be done with groups or one-on-one.

  • · Participants who have a family violence waiver or are in the process of being considered for a family violence waiver must be offered the opportunity to receive the overview information one-on-one.


    • Counties and tribal eligibility offices must cover the costs of any child care needed to make it possible for participants to attend the overview.

    The Overview must include the following:

    Topic

    Key message

    Resources for more information

    Expectations

    Participants are expected to work, look for work, or participate in other activities to prepare for work.

    N/A.

    Work.

    MFIP services focus on:

  • · The most direct path to competitive employment.
  • · Any subsequent steps that support long-term economic stability.

    • N/A.

    Time Limits.

    Most participants will have a 60-month lifetime limit to receive MFIP benefits.

    Participants can opt out of their cash benefits to stop the time clock. See 18.3 (The 60-Month Time Limit Policy).

    Combined Manual 0011.30 (60-Month Lifetime Limit).

    Participation.

    Participants will need to develop and follow through on an employment plan.

    N/A.

    Sanctions.

    Participants perceived to not be complying will receive a Notice of Intent to Sanction (often called a NOITS).

  • · Responding to a NOITS can help avoid a sanction.
  • · The sanctions can be 10%, 30% and then 100% cuts to MFIP benefits when not following through with the employment plan.
  • · Child support can also initiate a sanction. That can be a 30% or 100% sanction.
  • · People with drug felonies are subject to random drug testing and those who test positive are subject to sanctions or disqualification.

    • Chapter 19 (Sanctions and Non-Compliance).

    Supports

    MFIP intends to make work, looking for work and preparing for work possible.

    N/A.

    Resources to help with job search.

    The specific services your agency offers.

    N/A.

    Child care.

  • · MFIP Child Care Assistance: covers care by a licensed or unlicensed provider.
  • · To get MFIP Child Care Assistance, a participant must:
  • · Complete an application.
  • · Pay a small co-pay in some instances.
  • · Cooperate with child support enforcement.
  • · Engage in employment services.
  • · Transition Year Child Care Assistance is available.
  • · Child care resources and referrals.

    • Chapter 16 (Child Care).

    parentaware.org for information about child care resources and referrals.

    Department of Human Services Licensing Information Lookup.

    Employment counselor.

    Participants will receive help developing the employment plan and connecting to support resources.

    N/A.

    A variety of activities.

    The employment plan can include a range of activities.

    7.36 (Core & Non-Core Activities).

    Opportunities to pursue education and training.

  • · GED, high school or adult high school diploma.
  • · English Language Learning.
  • · Post-secondary education.

    • Education and Training in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (DHS-3366) (PDF).

    Help during probationary periods on the job.

    N/A.

    Explain any retention services your agency offers someone who is hired into a job with a probationary period.

    Incentives

    A job will always increase family income compared to MFIP benefits alone.

    N/A.

    Earned Income Disregard.

    The first $65 earned in a month and 50% of the remaining earnings do not count when figuring out the MFIP grant amount.

    Combined Manual 0018.18 (Earned Income Disregards).

    ESM 24.9 (Links MFIP Benefit Levels)

    Tax credits.

    Working parents even with low earnings can apply for both the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and the state’s Working Family Credit by filing taxes.

    The Minnesota Department of Revenue: for information about the Working Family Credit.

    The IRS: for information about the Earned Income Tax Credit.

    Special service tracks in MFIP.

    All options focus on work but different circumstances require different services.

    N/A.

    Family Stabilization Services.

  • · More flexibility in the activities that can be part of the employment plan.
  • · Who qualifies for Family Stabilization Services.
  • · What they should do if they think they belong in that track.

    • Chapter 17 (Family Stabilization Services).

    Family Violence Waiver

  • · A safety plan created with the help of someone trained in family violence.
  • · Information about local shelters and other local services for people experiencing family violence.
  • · Stops the 60 month time clock.

    • Domestic Violence Information (DHS-3477) (PDF).

    Chapter 08 (Family Violence Waiver).

    Rights.

    Participants receiving MFIP retain the basic rights afforded all residents of the state and nation and have particular rights within MFIP.

    Employment Services Responsibilities, Rights and Consent (DHS-3172) (PDF).

    Right to file a complaint and to request conciliation.

    Participants have the right to file complaints about their services in MFIP.

    Employment Services Responsibilities, Rights and Consent (DHS-3172) (PDF).

    19.48.3 (Conciliation Conference).

    PREVIOUS REVISIONS

    DateNotes
    03/2022 updates link to Bulletin 22-11-01 (DHS Reissues “Work Will Always Pay…With MFIP”).
    08/2020 09/2020 ESM Re-write.

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