*** The Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM) has been replaced by the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual (EPM) as of June 1, 2016. Please refer to the EPM for current health care program policy information. ***
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Effective: June 1, 2012 |
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30.15 - Nutritional Needs |
Archived: June 1, 2016 (Previous Version) |
This section provides information on programs to assist people with nutritional needs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Related Programs.
Mothers and Children (MAC) and Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS).
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Related Programs
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It provides benefits that can be used to purchase allowable food items from participating grocers.
Minnesota provides state-funded food benefits to Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) recipients who do not qualify for the food portion of the MFIP grant due to their citizenship status.
The Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP) provides food benefits to non-MFIP participants who meet all SNAP eligibility requirements except for citizenship status.
In general:
l Most benefits in Minnesota are issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT).
l Eligibility is based on income, assets and household size.
l People do not have to receive or be eligible for cash assistance or the health care programs to receive SNAP.
l The county agency determines eligibility for SNAP and the state food programs.
l People must complete a Combined Application Form (CAF) to apply for SNAP or MFAP or request SNAP with ApplyMN.
See the Combined Manual for complete information on SNAP eligibility.
Mothers and Children (MAC) and Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS)
MAC and NAPS are both part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). CSFP is a supplemental food and nutrition program that is designed to provide healthy and nutritious commodity food products each month to eligible individuals.
MAC and NAPS participants can get the following foods:
l Canned fruits, vegetables, and juices.
l Dry and canned milk, American cheese.
l Canned meat, peanut butter or dry beans.
l Cereal, and rice or pasta.
For more information on eligibility and application requirements, clients may:
l contact:
n In Southeast Minnesota the Channel One MAC/NAPS Program at (507) 287-2350 or Toll-Free (877) 500-8699.
n In the Twin Cities Metro and Greater Minnesota the Second Harvest Heartland MAC/NAPS Program at (651) 484-8241 or Toll-Free (800) 365-0270.
l see the MN Department of Health Web site.
The School Lunch Program is a federally funded program providing free and reduced price lunches to low income school children in grades one through 12.
l Children receiving MFIP or SNAP will usually be eligible for the program without formal application.
Note: In August of each year, MAXIS sends data to all school districts to be used in certifying children receiving MFIP or SNAP for the school lunch program.
l Children who do not receive MFIP or SNAP may be eligible for the School Lunch Program if their family income is within the program limits.
Note: Families may apply directly to the children's school.
See the Combined Manual for more information.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program helps to improve the diets of pregnant women and children. The WIC program:
l assesses the nutritional needs of pregnant women and children,
l teaches pregnant women and parents of young children about nutrition, and
l provides pregnant women and children with nutritional foods at no charge to them.
The following people may participate in the WIC program:
l Children until age five.
l Mothers who breast feed their children during the first year following their child's birth.
For more information clients may:
l contact their local public health or community action agencies,
l call the WIC program at (800) WIC-4030, or
l see the MN Department of Health Web site.