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Important Information
Do you have to answer the questions we ask?. You do
not have to give us your personal information. Without the
information, we may not be able to help you. If you give us
wrong information on purpose, you can be investigated and
charged with fraud.
Denial or changes. The state may deny or change your cash
or SNAP assistance because of information you give on the
application. The state may make changes without giving you
10 days advance notice for cash assistance and SNAP. The
state will send you written notice no later than the effective
date of the change for cash assistance and no later than the
date you receive or would receive your SNAP benefits.
For SNAP only. Household members may choose not to
apply. The amount of SNAP benefits will depend on the
number of people who apply. The Social Security number
and citizenship or immigration questions do not need to be
completed for those who do not apply. Household members
who do apply must provide this information. Household
members who are not applying must give information
on their income and, in some cases, assets because this
information is needed to see if the persons who are applying
can get help.
Interim Assistance Programs. General Assistance (GA) and
Group Residential Housing (GRH) are “interim assistance
programs.” That means they will help you while you apply
for other benefits. To get GA or GRH you have to apply for
other benefits you may be eligible for, like Social Security
or Worker’s Compensation. If you get other benefits for the
same period of time that you got GA or GRH, you will have
to pay GA and GRH back.
Social Security numbers (SSN). For most programs, you
must provide a Social Security number (SSN) for each
household member applying for benefits.* If you need a SSN
we can help you apply for one. The state uses your SSN:
To check identity, prevent duplicate participation and to
make mass changes
To determine eligibility for programs such as SNAP,
family cash assistance, and the school lunch program
For program reviews and audits to determine household
eligibility, including fraud investigations
To coordinate with other programs or state agencies to
provide more effective and meaningful services to you.
If you are not a U.S. citizen and are applying for Refugee
Cash Assistance (RCA) you do not have to provide an SSN.
* (Food Stamp Act of 1977 as amended by PL 97-98 and the Social Security
Act of 1935 [section 1137] as amended by PL 98-369 and 42 CFR 435.910
[2006]; [Minn. Stat. §256D.03, subd. 3(h); Minn. Stat. §256L.04, subd. 1a])
Non-citizen applicants. To get help from most public
assistance programs, you must be in the United States (U.S.)
legally. Members of your household who are not citizens and
are applying for help must show proof of their immigration
status. Give a copy of both sides of immigration cards or
other documents that show immigration status for every
household member who is not a U.S. citizen and who is
applying for help. You can apply and get help for
other household members, even if you are not applying or
if you are not eligible because of immigration status.
For non-citizen members of your household who apply
and are eligible for help, your worker may do a computer
match with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) to confirm the immigration status documents you
give us are valid.
We will not share information about you with the USCIS
without your permission. If you get cash it may affect
changes to your immigration status. If you would like more
information about this or would like to know what the
agency might tell or ask the USCIS, talk to your worker.
Immigration. All immigration information you give to us is
private. We use it to see if you can get help. We only share it
when the law allows it or requires it. In most cases, applying
will not affect your immigration status.
You do not have to give us your immigration information if
you are:
Only helping someone else apply
Applying for your children or other household members,
but not yourself.
Family cap information. If you or someone else in your
family has a child while getting cash assistance, your
family might not get more cash for that child. If you have
questions, talk to your worker.
Domestic violence and vulnerable adults. Violence
or abuse is what someone says or does to make you feel
afraid or to control you. People who are elderly, frail, have
a disability, or who depend on others for assistance may
not be able to protect themselves from domestic violence
or abuse. Minnesota has a law to protect and assist adults
who are vulnerable to abuse or who are not able to care
for themselves. The law can help vulnerable adults get the
protection and safety that they need.
Domestic violence. For more information on domestic
violence, read the “Domestic Violence Information
brochure” (DHS-3477). If domestic violence makes it hard
for you to follow program rules, talk to your worker. If you
are in danger from domestic violence and need help, call
the National Domestic Violence hotline at 800-799-7233;
800-787-3224 (TTY) or Minnesota Coalition for Battered
Women at 800-289-6177.
Vulnerable adults. Call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-
333-2433 to report concerns and to help a vulnerable adult
get needed protection and assistance.
