Isanti County Financial Unit gives emergency financial assistance for rent

The Isanti County Family Services Financial Assistance Unit administers rental assistance as well as emergency financial assistance to lower income tenants and households of this eastern Minnesota county.

Family Crisis Assistance

If your family has experienced a crisis situation that has created a hardship, you might be eligible for emergency financial aid. A special county program provides financial assistance to such families to make sure that you have the support necessary to bounce back from economic hardship.

Emergency General Assistance

If you are dealing with financial hardship and have been turned down by the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Emergency Assistance (EA), Diversionary Work Program (DWP) and Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA), you could still get some assistance. Funding can be used for rent, although there are also other approved uses such as utilities, food and clothing.

Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid

Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA) is one of the most useful programs operated by the county for dealing with rent problems. Funding may be used to catch up on your late rent payments so that you can avoid eviction.

You will need to supply documentation to your case manager to prove that you are at risk of becoming homeless if an eviction commences. Either an eviction notice or a letter from your landlord will be needed in order to show that an eviction could be imminent.

In addition to late rent, you may also get help with your delinquent utilities. For documentation, you will need to bring in a copy of the disconnection warning so that your case manager can approve funding.

Recurring Assistance

For chronic issues, your household may need the long-term support of the General Assistance (GA) program. This is a special program that provides financial assistance to one of the most overlooked segments of the Isanti population.

If you are single, or if there are no children in the home, you could get some limited financial assistance on an ongoing basis. Since most programs assist those with small children, this can be a welcome addition to the social services spectrum of Isanti County.

While funding is limited, you could still receive a couple hundred dollars a month to help out.

For more information about rental assistance in Isanti County, call the Isanti County Family Services Financial Assistance Unit at 763-689-1711 or visit online.