MFIP rules to tighten in July
Applicants required to perform 4-month job search prior to cash assistance
Posted: 1/27/04
By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter
Residents who apply for assistance under Minnesota Family Invetsment Progam (MFIP) will soon have to actively seek employment before receiving any cash.
Speaking at the Tuesday, Jan. 20, human services meeting, director Beth Wilms reported that there will be a tightening of the MFIP. Currently, those applying for MFIP must be enrolled in Workforce Development Inc., looking for a job and developing resumes.
The DWP (Diversionary Work Program), which will go into effect July 1, 2004, will require that applicants complete a four month job search before receiving cash assistance. During those four months, they will be eligible to have their rent and utilities paid, food support, medical assistance and a small amount of cash to pay for toiletry items and cleaning products.
Wilms said, ìTheyíre (Minnesota) asking for more personal responsibility and time-limited benefits or temporary assistance. Minnesota has long been known for its liberal cash assistance program. I thing we will see folks who will decide to not make application. Weíre interested in seeing how it flows with people.î
Commissioner Kevin Kelleher responded, ìHaving said that, there has to be jobs for people to have and jobs that pay enough for people to live on. Weíre a little weak on that.î
Wilms noted that five years ago when she worked with Wisconsin Works in Monroe County, there were 111 on cash assistance and when she left there were seven. The strong economy at the time was able to support that change. However, information on that county now shows that the numbers are back over 100.
Wilms said, ìWe want them thriving not just surviving.î
MFIP update
Cases on MFIP are staying level at 104, with six in sanction. Those in sanction are not complying with looking for a job and therefore receive a 30 percent cut in their food support and cash benefits.
By March 1, two of those in sanction will lose all of their benefits. If a client remains in sanction for six months, their case is closed at the seventh month. It can be re-opened after the client has been in compliance for 30 days.
Follow-up calls have been made to each client who is in jeopardy of losing benefits. Financial assistance supervisor Bonnie Goetzinger said that some are not concerned, while others say they will be starting a new job soon.
In the past four years, total cases for families on public assistance has increased from 832 cases to 1,032.
Goetzinger said the department has been busy. ìSome days we donít know where to turn,î she said.
Public assistance cases can include medical, food support, cash and medical supply aid.
Dental coaltion a success
In other news, Goetzinger said good information came from the dental access coalition involving Fillmore, Houston and Winona Counties. She referred to a dentist in Blooming Prairie who has separated his dental business into two areas with exactly the same tools. One area is for those who pay with medical assistance and the other area is for those who pay privately. ìHe is making a profit off of that clinic. It was a very interesting meeting,î said Goetzinger.
Commissioner Ann Thompson said, ìMaybe the answer is to have a southeastern dental clinic for medical assistant patients.î
Goetzinger responded, ìHe was willing to send someone down to help start one here.î
Corcoran commented, ìIf somebody is familiar with the paperwork, then they get paid correctly.î
Students visit meeting
Caledonia High School students from Carol Sweeneyís ninth grade civics class had a chance to see first hand how the Houston County government operated Tuesday, Jan. 20.
County board members and department heads took extra time to explain the different aspects of the government to students.
Wilms encouraged students to ask questions for information on careers in human services and said they would be interested in allowing someone to job shadow.
Monthly jail report
Houston County Sheriff Mike Lee appeared before the Houston County board Tuesday, Jan. 21 to give the monthly jail report.
In December 2003, 34 prisoners stayed in jail for 312 days which averaged 10.9 prisoners per day for an average stay of 9.2 days.
In 2003, the jail held 292 prisoners for 3,423.4 days with prisoners staying an average of 11.27 days. Jail capacity averaged 9.3.
A total of 798 males and 692 females were boarded out in 2003, seven times the number in 2002.
Numbers were not available for juveniles who were boarded out in 2003.
In 2002, prisoners were boarded out for 90 days, while in 2001 prisoners were boarded out for 209 days.
Lee said that last year this department spent over $100,000 on the costs of boarding prisoners outside the jail, which does not include mileage and the costs of paying someone to transport the prisoners.
He noted that often times he has three squad cars a day on the road making transports.
Lee attributes the increase in prisoners to more people being sentenced longer for different crimes. ìWeíre out of room. We have a waiting list for people to serve time in jail,î he said.
Lee also addressed the issue of creating or adding to a crystal methamphetamine ordinance that would require the owners of anhydrous ammonia tanks to place a lighted fence around the area.
ìJust the other day there was a can in the ditch half full of anhydrous ammonia.. We donít even know how much is being stolen. I think itís something weíre going to have to adopt in the future,î he said.
Lee added that the sheriffís department recently caught some people stealing anhydrous ammonia. This is in addition to the five who have been recently charged in Houston County with methamphetamine production.
Newspaper bids approved
A joint newspaper bid was accepted by commissioners.
The four legal newspapers in the county submit a joint bid to commissioners. All papers publish what the county is required to publish and share in the proceeds.
Commissioner Thompson asked what the law requires for the amount of minutes that have to be published.
Houston County Auditor Pete Johnson said the county has to publish at least a synopsis of the minutes and they currently publish the full minutes.
Corcoran said the City of La Crescent publishes abbreviated minutes. He suggested they should continue publishing the full minutes. ìIt doesn't boil down to that much money and itís a community service,î he said.
Thompson said, ìIíd be interested in knowing the total cost for purpose of comparison. We eventually will be on the internet. I like having the minutes in the paper,î Thompson said.
Deputy Auditor Char Meiners said they have been posting the minutes on the Houston County web site for the last month.
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