Transitioning from Welfare to Self-Sufficiency

Everyone gets down on his or her luck at one time or another. Minnesota is committed to helping those who are really down, particularly families with children. That help, however, should be temporary. It should not substitute for the parents' own responsibility to support and care for their children, and, above all, should encourage people to become as self-sufficient as possible.

Minnesota's welfare reform, the Minnesota Family Investment Program, has been successful in helping many people find and keep jobs. Many of these jobs, however, are either less than full time or pay low wages that require continuing dependence on public support. Our commitment to self-sufficiency for all Minnesotans calls for creative strategies to help low-income families become independent through their own efforts, but with appropriate public support. Our success in moving people toward self-sufficiency depends not just on living support, job training and education, and also on stable and affordable housing, safe child care, accessible health care and transportation. We need to ensure that all players are working together to accomplish this goal; counties and various state departments need clearly defined and mutually supportive roles and responsibilities.

The Big Accounting Initiative Score

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Percentage of MFIP eligible adults who are working at least 30 hours per week or no longer receiving cash payments one year after application.

Percentage of families leaving MFIP and receiving paid, court-ordered child support from a noncustodial parent.

Percentage of participants returning to MFIP within 12 months of exiting.

Percentage of MFIP eligible adults who are working at least 30 hours per week or no longer receiving cash payments one year after application.

Note: This indicator shows the percentage of new MFIP applicants who have achieved success one year from their application for the program, as measured either by

• Working at least 30 hours per week, or
• No longer receiving MFIP cash assistance.

Changes in MFIP rules as well as changes in economic conditions can influence this measure.

Percentage of families leaving MFIP and receiving paid, court-ordered child support from a noncustodial parent.

Note: This indicator measures the extent to which families leaving the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) are being helped by paid court-ordered child support from a noncustodial parent. When parents pay their child support, it is better for kids, and for the whole family.

Counties and the Department of Human Services work with MFIP participants to make sure that any court-ordered child support is being paid on time. When they leave MFIP, they will have greater chances of success if this child support is being paid.

Percentage of participants returning to MFIP within 12 months of exiting.

Note: When a participant leaves the MFIP program, we hope they will be able to support themselves. However, circumstances sometimes force people to require the MFIP safety net again. The goal is to see at least 75 percent of the participants stay off the program for at least 12 months after leaving it.