H.F. 2828 Summary

• Expands general assistance eligibility to include families with children ineligible for federal programs and adds two new eligibility categories: persons unemployed and looking for work, and families with children ineligible for MFIP due to the 60-month time limit.

• Sets the applicable standard of assistance for families with children equal to the MFIP transitional standard as specified in section 256J.24.

• Modifies assistance unit standards to explicitly include families with children alongside single adults and childless couples for whom the commissioner sets standards.

• Clarifies that benefits from Social Security retirement, workers' compensation, Minnesota supplemental aid, and SSI programs received by responsible relatives cannot be counted in determining eligibility or benefit levels.

• Requires applicants to complete interim assistance agreements and apply for other maintenance benefits as conditions of eligibility under specified clauses, with county agencies responsible for assisting applicants in obtaining necessary verification documents.