Government Benefits for Youth

You may be able to get these things whether you have a child or not. If the person you live with has a Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA), but is not related to you, you can’t get monthly cash from MFIP.

If you are living away from home and do not have a child

If you are a teen parent living away from home because of abuse

If you are a teen parent and want to get MFIP benefits

You have to live with a natural or adoptive parent, legal guardian, other adult relative, or in an adult supervised living arrangement, unless:

You don’t know where your parents, legal guardian, or other adult relative are
Your parent, legal guardian or other adult relative won’t let you live with them
You have lived away from your parents or legal guardian for at least 1 year before the birth of your child or you applied for MFIP, or
An adult supportive living arrangement is not available for you and your child in the county you are living in

For other exceptions, contact the Youth Law Project at 612-332-1441.

You may also be able to get subsidized day care to help pay your childcare costs.

If you or your child are disabled

You may be able to get disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. There are 2 disability programs:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Retirement, Survivor’s, Disability Insurance (RSDI).

If you qualify for either of these programs you get a monthly cash benefit. You may also be able to get SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – food stamps) and MA (Medical Assistance).

If you get SSI and have a child, you can get a monthly cash benefit for your child from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). If your child gets SSI, you can get a monthly cash benefit for you from MFIP.

If one of your parents is deceased

How do I get help from these programs?

You need to apply for the programs talked about in this fact sheet.

Apply to the Social Security Administration for SSI and RSDI. Call 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Or you can apply online at www.ssa.gov.

Apply for all the others with your county department of economic assistance. Call your county information phone number or go online to www.dhs.state.mn.us. That is the Department of Human Services website. There is a list of county contact numbers on their website.

2-1-1 is a good resource to find help and information. Call 2-1-1 statewide, text your zip code to them at 898-211 for help in your area, or chat online at www.211unitedway.org.

See our fact sheet MFIP for Parents Under Age 18 for more information on the MFIP Program.