County health and human services highlights little-known family support grant and seeks greater use

Melissa Helgeson, supervisor of home- and community-based waiver programs for Kandiyohi County Human Services, briefed the board Sept. 16 on the state Family Support Grant and how the county is increasing its use of the program to meet short-term needs for families of children with disabilities.

"It is a statewide program that provides cash grants to eligible families with children who have been certified disabled," Helgeson said. She told commissioners the county’s 2025 allotment historically has been small — about $5,000 — and that Human Services obtained state approval for an additional $3,000 this year.

Why it matters: The Family Support Grant can cover items and services not paid by Medical Assistance or waiver services, Helgeson said. Eligible uses discussed in the meeting included assistive electronics, specialized clothing, respite care, door alarms or home modifications tied directly to a child’s disability, and short-term day-care expenses "above and beyond typical parental costs." The program is designed to prevent out-of-home placement and support family health and stability.

Eligibility and limits: Helgeson summarized the main eligibility rules she used in practice: the dependent must be under age 25, live in the biological or adoptive home, and the family’s adjusted gross income must be below the statutory limit for 2025 of $130,807 — though the county may consider higher income in hardship cases. Children already receiving waiver services, PCA or CFSS do not qualify. The program’s per-family limit that staff cited in local practice was $3,113.99; payments can be made as lump sums or as monthly payments, depending on need.

Local use and examples: Helgeson said the county has increased referrals through the children’s mental-health team and is using Family Support Grant funds to meet immediate needs while waiver assessments proceed. She described one case in which the county paid part of a bathroom remodel to address a child’s hygiene and anxiety needs; after the work the child "is now showering, bathing with no prompts from family," Helgeson said.

Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners praised the program as a small but useful tool. Helgeson said the state encourages counties to spend the allocation and will consider additional funds on request. Human Services will continue to screen MinChoices and waiver referrals for Family Support Grant eligibility and process applications through the county fiscal office when appropriate.