Poverty Hypotheticals

Poverty Hypotheticals

Monica Bogucki

MFIP Hypothetical

Marie, 24 years old, has a one-year-old daughter, Laurie. Marie has been living with Laurie’s father, Eric, for the past four years. Eric was the only one employed in the family. Eric has been extremely physically abusive to Marie. He refused to let her work and isolated her at home. He would not let her have any knowledge or input in their financial situation. Marie has no job and there is no one else to help her. She has now moved to the Harriet Tubman shelter. She can stay there for the next several months.

Marie goes to the Olmsted County Department of Financial Assistance to apply for Minnesota Family Investment Program-Statewide (MFIP-S), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP formerly known as Food Stamps) and Medical Assistance. Marie’s application for these benefits was recently approved. Her financial worker just informed Marie that she will be getting $ 437 per month in cash benefits and $ 327 in SNAP food assistance. Marie will have medical coverage for both her and Laurie. Marie will have to pay for her and Laurie’s expenses from the $ 437 per month. SNAP food assistance can only be used for food items; any non-food items will have to be paid for from the cash portion. Please help Marie set up a budget for herself and Laurie. The financial worker told Marie that the county will pay for her damage deposit and first month’s rent and any other related costs to move in at a new apartment. This is paid from the MFIP-Emergency Assistance program. Once Marie uses the MFIP-EA, she will not be able to use it again for the next twelve months.

General Assistance Hypothetical

Jeremy is 16 years old. He just left home because his stepfather has been physically abusing him for the past five years. His mother is afraid of his stepfather. Jeremy’s mother has given him permission to live on his own. Jeremy does not have any friends or family he can live with for the long term. He would like to get a place of his own and wants to finish high school.

Jeremy doesn’t have a job right now, but plans on getting one soon. Jeremy applies for government benefits from Olmsted County Department of Financial Assistance. The financial worker has approved his application for benefits. He will be receiving $ 250.00 per month in general assistance,

$172.00 per month in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP formerly known as food stamps) and medical coverage through medical assistance.

Please help Jeremy set up a budget. The financial worker said the county would help with a damage deposit through the emergency assistance program. The emergency assistance program can be used once every twelve months.

General Assistance Hypothetical

Ellen is a 54 year-old woman. She has a limited work history. She was recently diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis. This prevents her from working. She recently applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Retirement, Survivor’s Disability Insurance (RSDI) through the Social Security Administration. They told her it could be up to two years for her to get benefits. She is a single woman. She has two adult children but she is unable to live with them. They are having very difficult times right now.

Ellen went to apply for government benefits from the Olmsted County Department of Financial Assistance. The financial worker has approved her application for General Assistance (GA) benefits. She will be getting $ 203.00 per month from General Assistance and $172.00 per month in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP formerly known as food Stamps) and medical coverage through the Medical Assistance program.

Please help Ellen set up a budget. Her financial worker said the County would help with the damage deposit through the emergency assistance program. The emergency assistance program can used once every twelve months.