Wright County Human Services does not make copies of your documents.  Please make a copy of any paperwork that you want to keep a record of prior to bringing or mailing to the Agency.  Documents received by the Agency will be scanned and destroyed and will not be mailed back to you.  If you bring a document to either County office, it will be scanned and returned to you upon request.  An application for programs must be retained by the Agency.

Anyone needing to apply for public assistance - our walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.  Financial Services is located on the 3rd Floor of the Government Center at 10 2nd Street NW, Buffalo.

There is a convenient document drop-off site outside of the front doors of the Human Services Center located at 1004 Commercial Drive, Buffalo.  All information dropped off at this location will be sent directly to staff located at the Government Center.

ApplyMN (Apply for Programs Online) New!

Minnesotans now have the option to apply online for health care, cash assistance, SNAP (food support), emergency help, and child care assistance programs using ApplyMN, Minnesota's secure, online system. 

To get started, visit ApplyMN to use an online pre-screening tool to find out if you might qualify for benefits and to register for a user ID and password.  If you already have a user ID and password, you can simply log on with your user information.

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Financial Assistance

Assistance is available for individuals or families whose income and assets are within program guidelines and who meet other program criteria.  You must apply in person for cash assistance programs.

Financial Assistance Forms
Change Report Form
Combined Application Form (CAF)   Click here to view the list of verifications that you are required to provide with your completed application.
Combined Six-Month Report Form
Employment Verification Form
Financial Aid Information Form
Household Report Form
Self Employment Report Form
Shelter Verification Form

The links below take you to the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health websites for more information.

Economic Support Information
Minnesota Department of Human Services Publication (eDocs)
Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse

ApplyMN (apply online) New! 

Diversionary Work Program (DWP)
The Diversionary Work Program, or DWP, is a four-month program that helps low-income Minnesota families find a job.  DWP helps parents go to work rather than go on welfare.  Parents are expected to enter into an employment plan with an Employment Specialist from Central Minnesota Jobs and Training before they are approved for DWP.  After families have an employment plan, they can receive financial assistance to meet their basic needs and get other supports, such as SNAP (food support) and child and health care assistance.

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
Cash, food, medical, and child care assistance for families whose income and assets are within program limits. Congress and the State Legislature have limited this program to 60 months per lifetime.  Program requires participation with employment and training services (some exemptions may apply).  Applications for Child Care for MFIP and transition year.

Emergency Assistance (EA) - County Crisis Funds
Emergency Assistance is provided in the form of specific payments for shelter, utilities, or other emergency expenses outlined in the Wright County Crisis Fund Plan.  The event or situation that is causing the emergency must present a threat to the health or safety of the individual or family and the family lacks the financial resources to resolve the crisis.  Emergency aid is for families with children under 21.  Emergency aid is available once in a 12 month period, and the family must have residence in MN for at least 30 days prior to application.  This program offers only short-term help.  People currently active on an assistance program with Financial Assistance should call their caseworker to apply for emergency assistance.  People not currently active in a program in Wright County can call 763-682-7414 and ask for Financial Assistance Intake for information on how to apply for emergency assistance.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cold Weather Rule is NOT a moratorium on utility disconnections.  In order to keep their heat on, or to reconnect their heat, customers must contact their electric and/or natural gas company to make and keep a payment plan.

The links below provide additional information about the Cold Weather Rule.

Cold Weather Rule Frequently Asked Questions
Public Utilities Commission 

For more information about the Cold Weather Rule, contact the Public Utilities Commission at consumer.puc@state.mn.us, 651-296-0406, or 1-800 657-3782.

General Assistance (GA)
Cash assistance to single and married adults without children whose income and assets are within program limits.

Group Residential Housing (GRH)
The GRH program is available to help recipients pay for room and board costs when living in certain group living arrangements.  The recipient cannot be related to the person providing the care, and the home must be registered and licensed by the county.  To qualify, the recipient must meet GA or MSA basis of eligibility.

Minnesota Supplement Assistance Program (MSA)
Cash assistance which supplements Social Security and/or SSI payments to elderly, blind or disabled individuals, whose income and assets are within program limits.

IV-E Foster Care
Pays for foster care for children whose families would qualify for cash assistance programs if child(ren) were at home.

Indigent Burial Assistance
There is assistance available for burials or cremations for Wright County residents who die with no ability to pay for burial.  This program does not help subsidize a planned funeral or defray costs from a funeral; instead it pays for a low-cost County burial or cremation.  Ask the funeral home for information on County Burials, or click on the links below for an application and the Indigents Burial Policy.

Wright County Burial Application
Wright County Indigents Burial Policy
Burial Claim for Payment Form

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Child Care Assistance Program

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help families pay child care costs for children up to age 12 and children with special needs up to age 14.  Child care costs may be paid for income eligible families while they go to work, look for work, or attend school.  All families will have a copayment based on their gross income and family size.

The links below take you to the Minnesota Department of Human Services website and the Wright County Licensed Day Care Providers website for more information.

Child Care Assistance Program Information
Keeping Kids Safe: Your Home Child Care Emergency Plan
Wright County Licensed Day Care Providers

ApplyMN (apply online) New!

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SNAP (Food Support) 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food support assistance to individuals or families whose income and assets are within program limits.

The links below take you to the Minnesota Department of Human Services or other websites for more information.

SNAP (Food Support) Information
Combined Application Form (CAF)
Second Harvest Heartland
Wright County Food Shelves

ApplyMN (apply online) New!

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Health Care

Medical help for individuals and families whose income and assets are within program limits.  Medical Assistance may assist with nursing home costs.

The links below take you to the Minnesota Department of Human Services website for more information.

Health Care Programs Information
Minnesota Health Care Programs Application

ApplyMN (apply online) New!

Current Medical Assistance recipients may click on the link below to submit Medical Assistance reimbursements for items such as Cost Effective Health Insurance and Medicare premiums.  If you have questions while doing so, please contact your Financial Worker.

Medical Reimbursement Claim for Payment Form

Individuals with disabilities may need to complete additional forms.  Please read the brochure and documents below regarding the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) process.

Disability Services Brochure
Documentation Requirements
Authorization to Release Protected Health Information
State Disability Reviews for Adults
Request for Disability Information for Adults (without children in the home)
Adult Disability Worksheet
State Disability Reviews for Children
Children's Disability Worksheet

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Health Care Access/MA Transportation

If you are on Medical Assistance (MA) and you are part of a Managed Health Plan, you must call the health plan for assistance with your medical transportation needs.

Wright County has a Health Care Access Plan which ensures that Medical Assistance recipients have access to medical appointments.  To learn more about the Health Care Access services and how to obtain prior authorization to receive reimbursement, view the Health Care Access Services document.

After you have obtained prior authorization from Wright County for services, you may make a claim for non-emergency medical transportation expenses by completing the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Claim Form.  Print and complete this form, and have your health care provider initial this form prior to seeking reimbursement.

If you are seeking services outside the zip code of your town/city of residence and/or the level of service you request falls outside the basic scope of the Health Care Access Program, you and your health care provider will also be required to submit a signed Letter of Medical Necessity to obtain prior authorization for services.

If you are currently in a transitional period of relocating your health care provider to your residence zip code, complete the Relocation Letter.

If you are seeking transportation service from a commercial carrier and have determined who the provider is you wish to use, please complete the Release of Information form so that Wright County may correspond with this provider regarding your service request.

Complete the forms and attach any required documentation in order to receive reimbursement.  Claims will be returned to you if they are not completed correctly.   

Mail completed claim forms to:
Wright County Human Services
Medical Transportation Services
1004 Commercial Drive
Buffalo, MN 55313-1736

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Child Support and Collections

Establish, enforce, and modify court orders for basic support (child support), child care, and medical support (health insurance/medical reimbursement).  Collect court-ordered spousal maintenance payments.  Determine paternity for children born out of wedlock.  Paternity genetic testing arrangements made.  Anyone may apply for these services with a completed application and a $25 application fee.  Additional cost recovery fees may apply (see Explanation of Child Support).  For information on Child Support and Collections services, call (763) 682-7414 or toll free 1-800-362-3667, ext. 7414.

Follow the links below for more information and resources.

Child Support Information
Child Support Calculator
Minnesota Court Forms for Child Support

To apply for Child Support services, click on the link below.

Child Support Application

Mail Child Support payments to:
Minnesota Child Support Payment Center
P.O. Box 64326
St. Paul, MN 55164-0326

With their Participant number and PIN number, child support participants can get the following information at
Minnesota Child Support Online:

• General case information
• Financial history
• Information about the child support program

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Fraud Investigation

FPI Investigator - Tom R. Kleven

The Wright County Fraud Unit actively pursues and investigates cases suspected of having fraudulent activity. Receipt of benefits such as SNAP (food support), Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance, and Child Care may be based upon who is living in the home and the income and/or assets of all or some of the household residents.

When suspected fraudulent activity is reported, an investigation occurs to determine if there has been a program violation.  Reports of suspected fraud come from various sources: staff, concerned citizens, other counties, the State Department of Human Services, the tip line, letters, and e-mail.

If a person intentionally gives false information or conceals facts about their situation in order to receive or increase their benefits, they may be subject to prosecution or administrative action.  This could result in felony level charges, sentencing, and disqualification from receiving more program benefits.

Suspected fraud may be reported anonymously by calling the numbers listed below:

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Housing Resources

Al Loehr Veterans and Community Studio Apartments - Managed by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
Catholic Charities - Funding for Emergency Assistance
Central Continuum of Care - Ending Homelessness in 14 Counties
Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) - St. Cloud
Homeless Shelters and Resources
Housing Coalition - 320-259-7676
Tenant Concerns
Tri-CAP - Funding for Emergency Assistance
Wright County Community Action
Wright County Housing Resources List

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Other Helpful Resources

Bridge to Benefits
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services
Disability Benefits 101 - This website gives you tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits.  You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.
Energy/Fuel Assistance
Minnesota Workforce Centers
Minnesota Works (job bank)
Wright County Transportation Services

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