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Asset Building

ASSET BUILDING
Prepared by:
Ron Elwood, Supervising Attorney
Legal Services Advocacy Project
651-842-6909
relwood@mnlsap.org


I. FAMILY ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE IN MINNESOTA (FAIM) PROGRAM
Chapter 108, Article 14, Section 2, Subdivision 6(g) (HF 1233)
Uncodified Section
Effective July 1, 2013


Appropriates $500,000 for the biennium to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to fund the FAIM Program.

Note: FAIM is a matched savings program designed to help Minnesota's low-wage earners build assets through: (1) purchasing a home; (2) pursuing higher education; or (3) launching a small business.


II. INCOME AND ASSET EXCLUSION FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Chapter 108, Article 3, Section 44 (HF 1233)
Uncodified Section
Effective August 1, 2013

Note: This section is directed at the so-called the Family Independence Demonstration Program, a Citizens League initiative in the design phase, that seeks to incent through modest stipends to participants low-income families to save for self-directed goals that build personal and financial assets.

A. Absolute Exclusions

1. Department of Human Services (DHS) Programs
Directs DHS to exclude conditional cash transfers made to families participating in a family independence demonstration when determining or redetermining eligibility for: (1) the Child Care Assistance Program; (2) General Assistance; (3) Group Residential Housing; (4) the Minnesota Family Investment Program; (5) the Work Benefit Program; and (6) the Diversionary Work Program.

2. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) Program
Directs MHFA to exclude conditional cash transfers made to families participating in a family independence demonstration when determining or redetermining eligibility for rental assistance.

B. Qualified Exclusion
Directs DHS to exclude these cash transfers for determining or redetermining eligibility for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, except for enrollees subject to a modified adjusted gross income calculation to determine eligibility, in which case the payments are as income if: (1) they are included on the enrollee's federal tax return as income; or (2) the payments can be taken into account in the month of receipt as a lump sum payment.