Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 256J — Minnesota Family Investment Program
Section 256J.01 — Establishing Minnesota Family Investment Program.

Subdivision 1. Implementation of Minnesota family investment program (MFIP). Except for section 256J.95, this chapter and chapter 256K may be cited as the Minnesota family investment program (MFIP). MFIP is the statewide implementation of components of the Minnesota family investment plan (MFIP) authorized and formerly codified in section 256.031 and Minnesota family investment plan-Ramsey County (MFIP-R) formerly codified in section 256.047.
Subd. 2. Implementation of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF). The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, eliminates the entitlement program of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) and replaces it with block grants to states for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF). TANF provides cash assistance for a limited time to families with children and to pregnant women. Minnesota's TANF assistance will be provided through a statewide expansion of MFIP. The modifications specified in this chapter are necessary to comply with the new federal law and to improve MFIP. Eligible applicants and recipients of AFDC, family general assistance, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be converted to the MFIP program. Effective January 1, 1998, any new application received for family cash assistance will be processed under the rules of this chapter. Case maintenance conversion for existing AFDC and FGA cases to MFIP-S as described in this chapter will begin January 1, 1998, and continue through March 31, 1998.
Subd. 3. Relationship to other statutes and rules. MFIP-S replaces eligibility for families with children and pregnant women under the general assistance program, governed by sections 256D.01 to 256D.21 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.1200 to 9500.1261.
Subd. 4. Changes to waivers. The commissioner of human services may negotiate and obtain changes in the federal waivers and terms and conditions contained in MFIP, MFIP-R, and MFIP-S. The commissioner may also terminate federal waivers by directing so in the applicable state plan.
Subd. 5. Compliance system. The commissioner shall administer a compliance system for the state's temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program, the SNAP, general assistance, medical assistance, emergency general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, preadmission screening, child support program, and alternative care grants under the powers and authorities named in section 256.01, subdivision 2. The purpose of the compliance system is to permit the commissioner to supervise the administration of public assistance programs and to enforce timely and accurate distribution of benefits, completeness of service and efficient and effective program management and operations, to increase uniformity and consistency in the administration and delivery of public assistance programs throughout the state, and to reduce the possibility of sanction and fiscal disallowances for noncompliance with federal regulations and state statutes.
Subd. 6. Legislative approval to move programs or activities. The commissioner shall not move programs or activities funded with MFIP or TANF maintenance of effort funds to other funding sources without legislative approval.
1997 c 85 art 1 s 1; 1999 c 159 s 77; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 10 s 66; 1Sp2003 c 14 art 1 s 8,106; 2004 c 288 art 4 s 28; 2007 c 147 art 2 s 22; 2016 c 158 art 2 s 105; 2017 c 40 art 1 s 85; 1Sp2019 c 9 art 1 s 42

Structure Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Statutes

Chapters 245 - 267 — Public Welfare And Related Activities

Chapter 256J — Minnesota Family Investment Program

Section 256J.01 — Establishing Minnesota Family Investment Program.

Section 256J.02 — Federal Tanf Block Grant.

Section 256J.021 — Separate State Program For Use Of State Money.

Section 256J.06 — Community Involvement.

Section 256J.08 — Definitions.

Section 256J.09 — Applying For Assistance.

Section 256J.10 — Mfip Eligibility Requirements.

Section 256J.11 — Citizenship.

Section 256J.12 — Minnesota Residence.

Section 256J.13 — Minor Child In Assistance Unit; Physical Presence.

Section 256J.14 — Eligibility For Parenting Or Pregnant Minors.

Section 256J.15 — Other Eligibility Conditions.

Section 256J.21 — Income Limitations.

Section 256J.24 — Family Composition; Assistance Standards; Exit Level.

Section 256J.26 — Persons Ineligible; Vendor Payments.

Section 256J.28 — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Section 256J.30 — Applicant And Participant Requirements And Responsibilities.

Section 256J.31 — Applicant And Participant Rights; County Agency Duty.

Section 256J.315 — County And Tribal Cooperation.

Section 256J.32 — Documenting, Verifying, And Recertifying Eligibility.

Section 256J.33 — Prospective And Retrospective Mfip Eligibility.

Section 256J.34 — Calculating Assistance Payments.

Section 256J.35 — Amount Of Assistance Payment.

Section 256J.351 — Housing Assistance Grants; Forecasted Program.

Section 256J.36 — Allocation For Unmet Need Of Other Household Members.

Section 256J.37 — Treatment Of Income And Lump Sums.

Section 256J.39 — Payment Provisions; Vendor Payments.

Section 256J.395 — Vendor Payment Of Shelter Costs And Utilities.

Section 256J.396 — Support From Parents Of Minor Caregivers Living Apart.

Section 256J.40 — Fair Hearings.

Section 256J.415 — Notice Of 12 Months Of Tanf Assistance Remaining.

Section 256J.42 — 60-month Time Limit; Exemptions.

Section 256J.425 — Hardship Extensions.

Section 256J.45 — Orientation.

Section 256J.46 — Sanctions.

Section 256J.49 — Employment And Training Services; Definitions.

Section 256J.50 — County Duties.

Section 256J.51 — Employment And Training Service Provider Appeal.

Section 256J.515 — Overview Of Employment And Training Services.

Section 256J.521 — Assessment; Employment Plans.

Section 256J.53 — Postsecondary Education As Approved Work Activity.

Section 256J.531 — Basic Education; English As A Second Language.

Section 256J.54 — Minor Parents; Employment Plan.

Section 256J.545 — Family Violence Waiver Criteria.

Section 256J.55 — Participant Requirements, Rights, And Expectations.

Section 256J.561 — Universal Participation Required.

Section 256J.57 — Good Cause Exemption From Sanction.

Section 256J.575 — Family Stabilization Services.

Section 256J.61 — Reporting Requirements.

Section 256J.621 — Work Participation Cash Benefits.

Section 256J.626 — Mfip Consolidated Fund.

Section 256J.645 — Indian Tribe Mfip Employment Services.

Section 256J.66 — On-the-job Training.

Section 256J.67 — Community Work Experience.

Section 256J.68 — Injury Protection For Work Experience Participants.

Section 256J.69 — Grant Diversion.

Section 256J.72 — Nondisplacement In Work Activities.

Section 256J.74 — Relationship To Other Programs.

Section 256J.75 — County Of Financial Responsibility Policies.

Section 256J.751 — County Performance Management.

Section 256J.77 — Aging Of Cash Benefits.

Section 256J.78 — Tanf Demonstration Projects Or Waiver From Federal Rules And Regulations.

Section 256J.88 — Child-only Tanf Program.

Section 256J.95 — Diversionary Work Program.