1. Achieve with us Budget Stretchers Creative Housing Conference November 14, 2015

2. Achieve with us General Assistance State-funded program administered by each county Cash grants up to $203 monthly to adults without children 14 eligibility categories related to illness, disability, or injury that prevent individual from working Must have countable assets of less than $1,000 AND countable income less than $203 per month Very few people who receive GA report income from work May be able to receive GA while applying for SSI; have to pay GA back if SSI is awarded

3. Achieve with us Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) Additional cash benefit to people who are aged, blind, or disabled AND Are receiving SSI/SSDI OR Would be eligible for SSI except the individual has too much income Gives a monthly cash benefit in addition to SSI Most people eligible for SSI are also eligible for MSA Currently very underutilized by those who are eligible

4. Achieve with us Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Formerly known as Food Stamps County run program funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) If everyone in the household receives SSI, MSA or GA, all household members qualify for SNAP Income limits are higher for households with a member who has a disability Recipes using SNAP costs: SNAP-ED Connection https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/basic-nutrition-everyone/healthy-low- cost-recipes https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/basic-nutrition-everyone/healthy-low- cost-recipes LeeAnne Brown http://www.leannebrown.com/

5. Achieve with us General Assistance, MSA, SNAP To apply: Complete the Combined Application Form (CAF) and submit to the county of residence https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-5223-ENG Apply online https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov/online-app-web/spring/public/process- login?execution=e1s1 https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov/online-app-web/spring/public/process- login?execution=e1s1

6. Achieve with us Energy Assistance Program Assists with paying for heating costs, emergency repairs and/or energy education May assist with heating costs included as part of rent Must apply by May 31 st for the next heating season May assist with utility disconnections Advocacy with energy suppliers and human services providers on behalf of consumers To qualify for assistance, the maximum annual income for a family of 1 is $23,949 Average yearly energy assistance is $500

7. Achieve with us Weatherization Assistance Program Energy audits to evaluate potential weatherization work Exterior wall and attic insulation Air infiltration and bypass sealing Testing, repair, or replacement of homeowner mechanical systems Participant education Priority given to households with a member with a disability

8. Achieve with us EAP, WAP Applications available at http://mn.gov/commerce/energy/ List of energy assistance providers by county http://mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumers/Financial- Resources/Energy-Assistance-Program/Energy-Assistance- Providers.jsp http://mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumers/Financial- Resources/Energy-Assistance-Program/Energy-Assistance- Providers.jsp Call 1-800-657-3710 or 651-296-2860 (TTY) for assistance.

9. Achieve with us Phone Discounts Individuals receiving Medical Assistance, SNAP, SSI, Energy Assistance and other public benefits are eligible Lifeline provides a monthly discount of $9.25 for the primary phone line (even if it’s a cell phone) Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) provides a $3.50 discount for home land lines

10. Achieve with us Phone Discounts Applications for Lifeline and TAP available online at https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/Low-Income- Residents/index.jsp https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/Low-Income- Residents/index.jsp A list of providers accepting Lifeline is available online http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/companies/companies.aspx

11. Achieve with us Fare for All Offers packages of fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40% savings No need to sign up; visit a location & bring home food that day Exact content of the packages changes each month while the value remains the same Accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and EBT cards (no checks) During the holidays the monthly special contains all of the fixings for a holiday meal Open to all – no income requirements Packages range from $10 to $30 To find a distribution site visit their website at www.fareforall.orgwww.fareforall.org

12. Achieve with us Meals on Wheels 35 community-based programs in the Twin Cities Metro Daily hot meal or weekly frozen meal delivery to homes of people with disabilities Price is negotiable based on individual’s ability to pay https://meals-on-wheels.com/ 612-623-3363

13. Achieve with us Food Shelves Food shelves http://www.foodpantries.org/st/minnesotahttp://www.foodpantries.org/st/minnesota http://www.hungersolutions.org/give-help/map/ Hours and days varies Inventory varies greatly May go to multiple food shelves each month

14. Achieve with us Free Dinners http://csrnetwork.yuku.com/topic/30/FREE-MEALS-CALENDAR-INFO- Minneapolis http://csrnetwork.yuku.com/topic/30/FREE-MEALS-CALENDAR-INFO- Minneapolis http://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/dining_sites.html http://salvationarmynorth.org/community/twin-cities-metro/locations/worship- service/ http://salvationarmynorth.org/community/twin-cities-metro/locations/worship- service/ http://www.hungersolutions.org/give-help/map/

15. Achieve with us Farmer’s Markets & CSAs Farmer’s Markets Many accept EBT http://minnesotagrown.com/member-directory/ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ Some accept EBT

16. Achieve with us Clothing & Household Goods Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers Bloomington Brooklyn Center New Hope Richfield St. Paul

17. Achieve with us Clothing & Household Goods http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/minneapolis_clothing_close ts.html http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/minneapolis_clothing_close ts.html http://www.ppl-inc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Twin-Cities- Clothing-and-Household-Resources-and-Thrift-Stores.pdf http://www.ppl-inc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Twin-Cities- Clothing-and-Household-Resources-and-Thrift-Stores.pdf www.twincitiesfreemarket.org

18. Achieve with us Reduced Price Memberships Science Museum of Minnesota Half price membership or admission if receiving public benefits http://www.smm.org/tickets/discounts Children’s Museum Free memberships or reduced cost based on income http://www.mcm.org/join/all-play-membership/ Walker Art Museum Free every Thursday evening 5 – 9:00 and the First Saturday of each month http://www.walkerart.org/visit/hours-and-admission Guthrie Theater $5 tickets http://www.guthrietheater.org/visit/access_services/financial_accessibility/guth rie_gateway_tickets

19. Achieve with us Reduced Price Memberships YMCA Scholarships are available; contact the Y for more info Community Centers Many offer discounted membership, programs or entrance Federal Access Pass Free lifetime pass to more than 2000 federal recreation areas http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html Minnesota State Park Camping ½ price camp sites for individuals with a physical disability and a state parking permit or a Federal Access Pass

20. Achieve with us PCs for People Refurbishes computers donated by local businesses and individuals, and distributes them to those in need and repair computers. Recipient must be below the 200% poverty level, $23,540 or be currently or be enrolled in a government assistance program Repair computers for $25 www.pcsforpeople.org (651) 354-2552

21. Pet Care Spay or Neuter Spay Neuter Assistance Program http://mnsnap.org/ Kindest Cut http://www.kindestcutmn.com/ or call 763-489-SPAY (7729) http://www.kindestcutmn.com/ Low Cost Pet Care Animal Care Foundation Member Vet Clinics in Hennepin and Washington Counties donate vet care to persons who are blind, disabled, elderly and in financial need http://animalcarefoundation.org/index.html or 763-529-5060 http://animalcarefoundation.org/index.html Pet Food Shelves Interactive map of pet food shelves, quarterly vaccination clinic http://www.peopleandpetstogether.org/

22. Achieve with us Bridging Provides a one-time gift of quality furniture and household items Must be referred by a Bridging referral agency http://www.bridging.org/index.php/programs-a-services/how-to-get- help/agency-finder http://www.bridging.org/index.php/programs-a-services/how-to-get- help/agency-finder www.bridging.org 651-631-3255

23. Achieve with us The Arc Greater Twin Cities 952-920-0855 info@ArcGreaterTwinCities.org