Jobless Minnesotans without unemployment benefits could get some help from a bill receiving committee approval this week.
Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Mpls) sponsors
HF3071, which is targeted at Minnesotans who have lost their jobs within the past 16 months. Under the bill, people who have exhausted or are ineligible for certain unemployment benefits would be exempt from asset limits for General Assistance and the Minnesota Family Investment Program. Both are state-funded programs: GA provides cash benefits to childless adults, while MFIP offers cash and food assistance to working families.
Forcing people to spend down their savings or sell their assets to qualify for assistance only makes it harder for them to get back on their feet, Hayden told the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee Feb. 24. The committee approved Hayden’s bill and sent it to the House Finance Committee. It does not have a Senate companion.
As many as 5,000 Minnesotans lose unemployment benefits each month despite diligent efforts to find work, said Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls). A growing number are middle class.
“I think we’re encountering a new group of poor that are different than the poor we’ve traditionally focused on in this committee,” Loeffler said.
The committee also heard two additional bills related to MFIP eligibility, both sponsored by Hayden. Under
HF2564, MFIP cash assistance received over a two-year period beginning July 1 would not count toward the program’s 60-month time limit.
HF2576 would offer a “hardship extension” to certain MFIP participants during the same time period.
Several committee members said stopping the time clock for two years is too long.
“When we spend additional state money like this, we’re taking it from other people who may be right on the edge as well,” said Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud). “…These approaches do not help us in the long-run.”
No action was taken on either bill.
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