Find how to get financial assistance and government grants in all Minnesota cities and counties listed below, including Minneapolis and St. Paul. Get help paying for housing, including rent or a mortgage, as well as grant money to pay utility bills or transportation costs. There is also free food, health care, and cash assistance from non-profits as well as government social service programs. Locate financial help near you in MN below.

Low-income families will also get access to affordable housing or apartments as well as free clothes or furniture. There are also government programs that provide medical care in MN, free cars or gas vouchers for the low-income as well as job training or placement services for people in need.

Free grant money to help pay bills or get free stuff in Minnesota for low-income families

Food Support Program - SNAP - The Food Support SNAP program is a federal government funded, county-run resource that helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the groceries and help that is needed for well-balanced meals as well as sound nutrition. There are EBT cards for the low-income, people with no money and elderly. Phone (800) 657-3698. Or find other forms of federal government food assistance programs.

Assistance for Disabled - The Minnesota Department of Human Services along with several other government agencies and non-profits help the disabled. Free food, respite and home care, housing, vocational training, and other government benefits are administered. Continue with disability programs in Minnesota.

Free Legal Aid - Numerous attorneys and non-profit law firms provide Minnesota residents with access free lawyers. There is consultation and advice as part of free legal aid as well as representation. Find information on legal program. Learn more free legal aid and lawyers in Minnesota.

General Assistance Program - The Minnesota General Assistance (GA) Program is the state primary safety net for childless couples and single adults. The Minnesota GA program provides monthly cash grants for vulnerable persons or people that have no money. The money can be used for paying various bills, rent, housing, transportation, clothes and other basic needs. Call 800-657-3698, or learn more on how to get free money.

Minnesota’s Free Day or Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) - The government help make affordable, quality child care obtainable for lower income families. All families in need of government assistance will have a copayment/cash grant based on their gross income and family size. There may be free daycare for working parents. Call (651) 431-3836 or 651-431-3809, or more on Minnesota free child care assistance.

Diversionary Work Program (DWP) - This is a four-month program that will help struggling Minnesota families find a job. Parents with children can get emergency financial assistance for their bills (utility, rent, mortgages, gasoline, car repairs, etc.) as well as job programs. Call 800-657-3698, or dial your local county human service agency for employment services.

Food Assistance Programs and Free Banks or Pantries - Minnesota state residents can receive free food, access to government assistance programs, groceries from pantries, and other aid from non-profit organizations across the region. Continue with free food pantries in Minnesota.

Heating Bil and Energy Assistance in Minnesota - Locate an extensive listing of energy and utility bill assistance programs. The low income, elderly, the unemployed, and working poor may be able to get help with gas, light, and winter heating costs. More on Minnesota utility assistance programs.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Helps pay home heating costs. Households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit. A major focus of the EAP - LIHEAP low income energy bill assistance program is on heling senior citizens, single parents and the disabled. Some of the services provided include

Educate consumers to use home heating energy both efficiently and safely
Government crisis assistance grants for utility and gas disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries
Emergency heating system replacement or repair
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This government assistance program uses energy conservation methods and tips to reduce the use and cost of home energy by an estimated percent.
Other financial aid and free energy conservation is offered too. More on Minnesota EAP.

Laws to Protect Utility Disconnections - There are government rules and regulations to protect low income families, the sick and elderly from shut off of their heat or electric. Additional laws are in place during the winter. More on utility disconnection laws.

Social Services and Government Cash Assistance - The Minnesota Department of Human Services can provide the low income with a number of resources. Find how to get free food, medical and utility bill assistance, and cash for basic living expenses. Read more Minnesota public assistance.

Senior Specific Assistance - Residents 55 years of age and older can look into resources offered by Agency on Aging centers. Programs offered in Minnesota range from housing and rent assistance to free food and information on medical bill assistance, including Medicare applications. More details Minnesota Agency on Aging.

Rental Assistance - The state, local charities and non-profit organizations provide free grant money, immediate funds and support to low-income families, single moms or dads and the poor. Government hardship grants can be used to pay for rental expenses, moving costs, mobile home lot rent, or even a security deposit for a family. This agencies are focused on housing needs. Read Minnesota rent assistance.

Another service is offered from the government supported Continuum of Care. This will focus on preventing evictions and also rehousing the homeless in Minnesota. Government grants can be used for paying expenses such as a deposit or first months rent. There is also transitional housing and case management offered. Learn more on eviction help in Minnesota.

Minnesota Emergency Assistance and Low Income Programs- The nation’s leading non-profit agency, the Salvation Army, has a number of centers and Family Service programs across the state. Financial assistance and basic needs are provided to seniors, low income families, children, and others. More on Salvation Army Minnesota assistance programs.

Minnesota Foreclosure Assistance and Mortgage Help - Several resources are offered to homeowners. Minnesota also has a foreclosure prevention program that will help assist families in need with housing troubles. There is also mortgage relief for low-income homeowners. Read more on Minnesota mortgage assistance.

Find information and get details on free non-profit housing as well as mortgage counseling agencies that operate in Minnesota. Learn more on HUD free counseling in Minnesota.

Get free medical or dental care in MN from government programs

MinnesotaCare and CHIP - This is a government insurance program that is available for Minnesota residents who do not have access to affordable health insurance. The application criteria can even include moderate-middle income families. It will provide qualified low income families with free health as well as dental insurance. This is offered for residents of Minnesota, regardless of age, who help paying health care expenses. Call 800-366-5411.

Minnesota's Medicaid Assistance - Medicaid - This government assistance program provides free health care insurance for people who are between the ages of 21-64 and who have no dependent children under age 18. It can help the low income, disabled, single adults or parents and others. There is also some dental care, including implants. Phone - 800-657-3739, or learn more on how to get dental implants covered by Medicaid.

Smiles Across Minnesota - Statewide preventive dental program for children. It can provide free or low cost cleaning, extraction, and checkups. More on dental assistance in Minnesota.

Free Health Care - A wide variety of health care centers, community clinics, and non-profit organizations in Minnesota can help the low income and people who are struggling get free medical care. Click here to find locations of centers as well as free community clinics in Minnesota.

In addition to the health care clinics referred to above, there are many dental clinics in Minnesota that can provide free or low priced care, information, or referrals to government programs or non-profits. People of all income and backgrounds can get help with dentures, extractions, teeth cleanings and more. Learn more on Minnesota free dental clinics.

Patients who lack health insurance, or who have limited coverage, have access to several other state government sponsored resources. Government medical care is available for under and uninsured individuals. Read more uninsured healthcare in Minnesota.

Minnesota job training, budgeting and financial literacy programs

Work at Home Jobs - Minnesota residents in both the cities and rural areas can get a job, or extra income, by working online or from home. Many opportunities are out there. Find details on types of work from home jobs.

Self-sufficiency Services, Job, and Grants for Paying Bills - Low income, struggling, and unemployed individuals can receive employment services, training, and emergency financial assistance from a community action agency. They also help with budgeting and credit repair. Click here for details on community action agencies in Minnesota.

For residents of Minnesota seeking a new job, or if you are unemployed, then Workforce centers and other non-profits provide assistance. This includes free government sponsored training, job search, and career counseling. More information on job training in Minnesota.

Get Help From Medical Debt Collectors - Minnesota has an agreement in place with hospitals and medical care providers that stops illegal and aggressive debt collection practices. Read more on ways to prevent medical debt collection efforts.

Debt Reduction, Credit Repair, Free Financial Advice in Minnesota - No matter the type of bills and debts that you have, whether credit card, medical, or if you are behind on your mortgage, non-profit counselors operate across the state. Get free debt relief from a non-profits, money management and other support. Read more Minnesota free credit counseling.

Assistance from Minnesota cities and counties

There a local charities, social services and government grant programs that help with bills, housing, or give out free stuff. Select a city or county below for more details.

Aitkin County

Anoka County

Becker County (Detroit Lakes)

Beltrami County (Bemidji)

Blue Earth (Mankato)

Brown County (New Ulm)

Carlton County

Carver County (Chaska)

Cass County (Walker)

Chisago County (Center City)

Clay County (Moorhead)

Cook County (Grand Marais)