Advocates Aim To Bump Up Grant For Low-Income Families

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Advocates say a grant for low-income Minnesota families should be raised for the first time in nearly three decades.

About 30,000 families receive a monthly cash grant for housing and transportation costs through the Minnesota Family Investment Program. Those costs have doubled since the last grant increase in 1986. A family of three still receives about $532 per month.

Jessica Webster from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid says legislation is in the works to give a family of three an extra $80 to $90 monthly. She says that increase would help families in need.

The suggested change would be paid by redirecting more federal funds to the grant program. The state would need to pick up a two-year, $70 million tab for other programs that currently depend on those federal dollars.