MN HF10

Establishes COVID-19 emergency community relief grants program to award grants through community action agencies to individuals experiencing financial hardship from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Eligible individuals include those ineligible for unemployment benefits (including H1B visa holders and self-employed workers), those receiving unemployment at rates below actual earnings (including tipped employees), those with significant difficulty accessing federal or state COVID-19 assistance, and those unable to receive any such assistance.

Maximum grant award is $1,500 per individual, with assistance amounts based on household needs and other available resources.

Grant funds may be used for food, emergency household items, rent support, utility bills, and similar expenses, with rent and utility assistance paid directly to property owners or utility companies.

Appropriates $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 from the general fund to the commissioner of human services, with up to 10 percent available for administrative costs, and funds available until June 30, 2021.