Medical+Assistance


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Medical Assistance
 Statewide Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)   ||  = Statewide MFIP is Minnesota’s welfare reform program. This replaces AFDC, Food Stamps, FGA (Family General Assistance), and STRIDE (Employment and Training). People get their statewide MFIP grant electronically through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). Statewide MFIP has strict time limits. Starting July 1, 1997, most parents with minor children will only get cash help for a total of 60 months. Recipients must meet work rules, or their grant will be reduced. Individual counties may make parents seek work sooner. Families on MFIP will continue to get MA and may get child care help if they meet work rules. A job counselor must first approve work activities as part of a job search plan or an employment plan. Recipients will receive help finding and keeping a job. = =  = = MINNESOTA ’S HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS =  If you are eligible for one of these programs, the State will pay all or part of your medical bills. To apply for health care assistance, call or go to the human services agency in the county where you live. You can apply even if you are not sure that you are eligible. When you apply, you will fill out an application form and be asked for proof of some of the information you give. You will also talk with a person who works for the county agency. That person is a financial worker. This financial worker can help you fill out the application form. Your county agency will let you know if you are eligible for assistance in 45 days, or 60 days if they need disabilities certification. The information you give to your county agency is private and confidential. 

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
 Medical Assistance (MA) helps people pay for their medical care. Federal and state tax dollars pay for MA. MA is different from Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and certain people with disabilities. Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) is also available. The MA-EPD is different from MA in that it allows a person with a diagnosed disability to have more assets and still receive MA. The medical benefits are the same for both programs. You must be working to receive MA-EPD. A person without a job may qualify for MA but not MA-EPD. <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">

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<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Medical Assistance <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Continued
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<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">GENERAL ASSISTANCE
<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">GAMC helps people who are not eligible for other state or federal programs to pay for their medical care. State tax dollars pay for GAMC. <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">MINNESOTA <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> CARE
<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Minnesota Care is like health insurance. It is for uninsured Minnesota residents who meet income and other eligibility guidelines. Minnesota Care is paid for with state tax dollars, provider taxes and premiums paid by people who are enrolled. Premium amounts vary according to household income. <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">For more information or to apply contact: Freeborn County Department of Human Services, 203 West Clark, Albert Lea, MN. Phone (507) 377-5400.