Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance is available for those who are struggling to pay for rent, housing costs and utilities.

Apply for Emergency Assistance through MNbenefits.mn.gov. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply.

Please submit only one application. Submitting multiple applications through different channels will delay the processing of your application.

Due to high volumes, the current processing of applications and wait times are longer than usual. County staff are working to decrease backlogs and may call after business hours and on weekends to conduct phone interviews. Beginning in March, residents can expect to receive phone calls after 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Emergency Assistance Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance (EA) and Emergency General Assistance (EGA) help with shelter, such as a security deposit or past due rent/mortgage. EA and EGA also help pay for utilities, when there is threat of disconnection. Utilities include electricity, heat and water.

• Emergency Assistance helps adults with children, and pregnant women. Those who qualify for Emergency Assistance can receive up to two months payment for their share of rent/mortgage and up to $1,800 in utility assistance.
  
• Emergency General Assistance helps adults without children. Those who qualify for Emergency General Assistance can receive up to two month's payment for their share of rent/mortgage or utilities, or a combined payment of up to $1500.

Assistance eligibility

You may be eligible if:

• You have not received EA/EGA help in the last 12 months.
• Your income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for household size.
• You you do not have enough resources to resolve your crisis.
• You can show you have enough income to pay bills moving forward.

Apply

All Financial Assistance intake interviews will take place over the phone, rather than in-person. After an application is submitted and assigned, your assigned financial worker will call you for your phone interview. Send applications and verifications via email to [email protected] , fax to 651-266-3942 or drop them off in a form drop box at sites throughout the county. See form drop-off & walk-in assistance sites.

• If you ARE NOT already receiving public assistance, or your case closed more than 30 days ago, you can apply for EA/EGA online at mnbenefits.mn.gov or by calling the Intake Hotline at 651-266-4444.
  
• If you ARE receiving public assistance through Ramsey County and have an open case (SNAP, healthcare, or cash assistance), fill out the application and email it to: [email protected] or fax to 651-266-3909. You may also call your caseworker or the Emergency Assistance Hotline at 651-266-4884 to apply.