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Public Assistance
Hard times require a strong safety net. Unfortunately past budget cuts at the state level mean inadequate and underfunded programs.
Until 2003, Emergency Assistance was a state-funded program available to families in crisis situations. Any state guarantees ended when the program was moved to the counties, which were forced to cap funding. As a result there is little cash assistance available to families in crisis.
As families run short on food, the free and reduced lunch program becomes more essential. Free lunch eligibility should be increased from its current 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines to 185 percent. Currently, children between 130-185 percent pay a reduced fee of 40 cents per meal. Unfortunately, even this reduced rate is enough of a barrier to keep some children from buying school lunch.
Neither the Diversionary Work Program nor the 60 month time limit rules under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) makes sense when the job market is so fragile. It may be next to impossible to get a job prior to eligibility for MFIP or to get a job once the time limit on MFIP runs out. This is particularly true as retail and service opportunities dry up during this economic downturn.
Legislative Directions:
- Return Emergency Assistance to the State and provide the necessary funding
- Increase the eligibility level for the free lunch program in schools
- Implement a moratorium on the Diversionary Work Program and the 60 month time limit required as part of MFIP until the job market expands
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