Minnesota Assistance and Aid Programs

Ways how to get assistance and grants in all cities and counties, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Assistance Programs

Minnesota Foreclosure Assistance and Mortgage Help
Minnesota also has a foreclosure program that will help assist families in need with housing troubles. More.

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

MinnesotaCare
This is an insurance program that is available for Minnesota residents who do not have access to affordable health insurance. It will provide health insurance for residents of Minnesota, regardless of age, who need insurance to help pay health care expenses. (651) 431-2000

Minnesota's General Assistance Medical Care
This aid program provides health care insurance for residents of Minnesota who are between the ages of 21-64 and who have no dependent children under age 18, and if they do not qualify for federal health care programs. Contact your local county office to apply.

General Assistance Program
The Minnesota General Assistance (GA) Program is Minnesota’s primary safety net for childless couples and single adults. The GA aid program provides monthly cash grants for vulnerable persons whose resources and income show a true need for help. Funds can be used for various bills and debts. (651) 431-2000

Minnesota help with mortgages and foreclosure assistance.

Locate mortgage help and foreclosures assistance in all cities including Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Foreclosure Prevention

Minnesota Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program (FPAP)

The Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program helps Minnesotans who are facing foreclosure due to a temporary financial crisis. It will provide help by providing case management services and, if applicable and qualified, a mortgage payment or other financial assistance on a one time basis. This program is managed and delivered through community-based nonprofit organizations that are located throughout the state. Dial 800-710-8871

Housing and foreclosure counseling agencies

Dozens of non-profit organizations across Minnesota can help people who are struggling to pay their mortgage, or who may be facing a foreclosure filing. Locate a listing of Minnesota HUD approved counseling agencies.

Don't Borrow Trouble

The Don’t Borrow Trouble Minnesota Campaign is a public education initiative that is targeted at stopping predatory lending practices in the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area. This Campaign seeks to educate both individuals and families about how to avoid predatory lending scams and also provide information about available community resources. 612.312.2020

Grants to help after a foreclosure

A new Minnesota program offers families who have lost their homes cash grants that can help them get back on their feet. Click here to learn more about how the grants work and how to contact.

Minneapolis programs and agencies for foreclosure help

Several non-profit agencies, most of which are HUD certified and also partner with the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, provide residents of Minneapolis with foreclosure and housing counseling services. Call or apply at one of the agencies for free counseling and/or other forms of free or low cost foreclosure solutions. Highly trained specialists have extensive information on how to get assistance. More on Minneapolis foreclosure prevention.

Foreclosure assistance programs in St. Paul

While part of the Twin Cities region, there are additional agencies, resources, and services for the St. Paul Minnesota region. They can direct people to mortgage assistance programs, and help them deal with a foreclosure filing. More on foreclosure assistance in St. Paul.

Delay your foreclosure filing

The state of Minnesota has initiated a law that will in effect delay foreclosures in the state. This will provide additional time for all parties to find some type of solution. Learn more on foreclosure postponement.

Find help paying medical bills.

Our health is by far the most important thing in our lives. We will provide you resources and programs for how to get help with medical bills. Find ways to.

• Settle and consolidate expenses and bills to eliminate medical debt.
• Programs to assist with paying existing medical bills and debts.
• Clinics and centers that give free health care to qualified patients.
• Low cost or free prescription drugs.
• Resources that focus on hospital bill help.
• Help from medical debt collectors and laws that are in place.

Free Health Care

• Free health care programs
  A variety of public and private organizations across the country offer free health care programs, including vision care, dental services, and more. Find free health care programs.
• Clinics provide free health care
  State, county, and local medical clinics and providers will provide free medical care, including dental and mental health. Continue.
• Health care centers that help patients of all income
  Many health care centers can provide people of all income levels either free or low cost medical and dental care and other services such as prescription drugs. No one is turned away from these centers, no matter their income. Click here.
• Walgreens free medical assistance
  Walgreens is offering free health care to its current and future patients who lose their job and have no health care coverage. The assistance is offered by Walgreen’s Take Care clinics.
• Federal Government Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
  This organization makes free or low cost health care available to Americans, even to those without insurance. You can get free checkups, prescriptions, treatment, and other medical assistance. More.
• Free medical care from charities
  Many charities can also provide help, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation, Shepherd's Hope, Inc, and many others. Find both national charities, and charities that are located in your state. Continue.
• State and federal government medical assistance programs
  Many states and government agencies also provide free or discounted health care. Find your state and the programs offered.
  
  The federal government offers a health insurance plan for veterans and military personnel. The VA Medical Care Hardship program will provide them help with health care expenses.
• Free dental care
  Hundreds of community clinics and dental centers can provide either free or reduced priced care to low income and uninsured individuals. Find a listing of dental clinics, their addresses and phone numbers.
• In-store clinics
  Retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart, offer quality health care at a low price. Some even provide free medical services. More.
• Senior Centers can provide free health care services
  Senior centers offer a wide variety of services on how the elderly can save money on medical bills, and they can offer free checkups and medical care.

Eliminate Medical Debt or Bills

• Debt settlement to eliminate medical debt and bills
  A new study shows that medical debt and bills contribute to over 60% of bankruptcies. Debt settlement programs can eliminate most or all of your medical debt, help prevent a bankruptcy, and get you back on solid financial footing. More.
  
• Consolidate hospital and medical debt
  Learn about options to consolidate both your hospital as well as medical bills and debt, including medical debt consolidation programs and loans to pay off your bills. Learn more.
  
• Consumer credit counseling
  A consumer credit counseling organization may also be able to provide assistance and guidance with medical debt and health care expenses.

Save on COBRA Health Insurance Coverage

• A new federal law provides a 65% subsidy for COBRA Health Insurance, so if you lose your job you can retain health care coverage. More.

Minnesota Utility and Heating Bill Assistance

Many of the utility companies that operate in Minnesota offer their own financial assistance programs. Click here for more information.

Reach Out for Warmth
The Emergency Energy Assistance Fuel Fund is funded from both individual and corporate donations. The program is for Minnesota residents in which federal funds are inadequate. The aid will also assist households who are over the income limit for federal for Energy Assistance. In addition, this program will provide additional help when federal funds are inadequate to meet household's needs.

Minnesota Cold Weather Protection Rule
This will ensure that customers do not have their utility and / or heating service shut off during the cold winter months. Certain criteria does need to be met. Learn more.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Helps pay home heating costs. Households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit. Some of the services provided include

• Educate consumers to use home heating energy both efficiently and safely
• Crisis assistance for utility and gas disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries
• Emergency heating system replacement or repair

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
This aid program uses energy conservation methods and tips to reduce the use and cost of home energy by an estimated percent.

HeatShare
This is a program of last resort. It provides money and cash grants to help pay oil, natural gas, propane, wood, and electricity bills to those in need, and it will also help with emergency furnace repairs. Read more.

Operation Round Up
An assistance program that is offered by many Minnesota electric organizations and companies. This provides energy assistance funds to individuals in need. The program can also offer other aid, such as for medical bills, rent or housing costs, and more. 

Assistance From Minnesota Cities and Counties

Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Can help make affordable, quality child care obtainable for lower income families. All families in need will have a copayment/cash grant based on their gross income and family size.

Smiles Across Minnesota
Statewide preventive dental program for children. More.

Diversionary Work Program (DWP)
This program is a four-month program that will help struggling Minnesota families find a job. Call your county human service agency.

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.

Food Support Program
Food Support aid program is a federal funded, county-run program that helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food and help that is needed for well-balanced meals and sound nutrition.

Grants For Homeowners Who Have Gone Through A Foreclosure
A new program started by the Minnesota Home Ownership Center will provide cash grants to help people who have gone through a foreclosure. The funds are used to help people get back on their feet. Read more.

Free Legal Aid
Numerous attorneys and non-profit law firms provide Minnesota residents with access to free legal aid and representation. Find information on legal program. Learn more.

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.

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. Learn more on Minnesota dental clinics.

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

Heating 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. More on Minnesota utility assistance programs.