Economic Support

Need financial help due to COVID-19?

  • Apply for Energy Assistance
  • Apply for Cash Assistance, Food Support (SNAP) Assistance and Emergency Assistance at the state Department of Human Services. Before applying, you can see if you are eligible for ApplyMN programs at www.mn.bridgetobenefits.org. 
    • Due to COVID-19, verbal applications are allowed for SNAP and CASH programs. Please call 651-430-6566 to apply this way. 
  • Apply for health insurance at www.mnsure.org. To successfully apply online, you must use a computer device. Mobile phones and tablets are not compatible with this application. For a paper application, call 651-430-6566.
  • Have a financial assistance case in Washington County or have questions about assistance? Call your assigned worker or 651-430-6566. 
  • To submit documents to your financial worker regarding economic assistance, upload documents to this link.

Economic Support

In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Washington County Community Services Department administers programs that provide support to low-income residents of Washington County, such as cash support, medical programs, food support, and child care assistance.

Bridge to Benefits

Bridge to Benefits is a screening tool  that can help people in Minnesota learn if they may be able to get help from the programs, below in addition to several other programs not administered by the county:

  • Cash Assistance
  • Child Care Assistance Program
  • Health Insurance Programs (Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Support)

If it looks like you or your family will qualify, it will tell you how to apply for these programs.

How to Apply

Visit MNbenefits to apply or contact the financial intake line at 651-430-6459. Applications are available in any of our four offices during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Reporting Fraud

If you suspect or would like to report a public assistance recipient of fraud, contact the local Washington County fraud investigators at 651-430-7872 or the Minnesota State Fraud hotline at 1-800-627-9977. You must report the name of the person you suspect of fraud and a brief description of the alleged activity. Additional helpful information include address, date of birth, or social security number. Consequences of fraud can include criminal prosecution, program disqualification, and/or benefit repayment.

Department of Human Services

All of the public assistance programs are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and administered by Washington County.

Interpreter Service

If you need an interpreter to help you apply for benefits, call the Intake line at 651-430-6459 or 1-844-711-1907 and indicate the type of language you speak and a phone number to reach you. Someone will call you back using the Language Line and arrange a time for you to apply with the assistance of an interpreter.

Data Privacy

The county asks for private information about you to determine what benefits you may be able to access and what services you need. The Notice of Privacy Practices describes why Human Services and Public Health is collecting your private information, how the information may be used and shared with others, and how you can get access to this information. Click on the link to access your Notice of Privacy Practices.