EBT (Food Support). Minnesota Counties provide food support for every eligible family for an unlimited length of time. When the family applies for public assistance, they will receive an EBT card and select a PIN number for the card. After they have been in Minnesota for 30 days, their EBT card should become activated. If the card does not become activated, call the number on the back of the card for help with activation or contact the county worker. This EBT card can be used like a debit card to purchase groceries. To use it, you need to know and enter the PIN number. To find the balance on the card, call the number on the back of the card and follow the prompts.
Ethnic Grocery Stores. When possible, many refugee families like to shop at their own ethnic grocery stores. There are many Asian and African markets throughout the Twin Cities. To find the market closest to your refugee partner, please refer to the University of Minnesota’s International Market Guide:
http://www.international.umn.edu/directory/market%20guide%2009-2010_web.pdf
Food Shelves. Many refugees receive food support during the first few months they are here. They can also be referred to their local food shelf. Each area of the city has a food shelf. Anyone living in the area is able to receive 10 pounds of food per family member in their household. Families can go to the food shelf one time each month. Hygiene items, toiletry items, baby formula and diapers may be available if requested.
If you take them to a food shelf, be aware that the family may have dietary restrictions or otherwise be hesitant to accept certain American food they are not familiar with. They also may not understand how to prepare processed foods. Look for staples such as milk, bread juice, sugar, cereal, potatoes, rice, pasta etc.
Dial 651-224-1133, 612-335-5000 or 2-1-1 to find the food shelf for your family.
Somali Food Shelf
Many Somali families will not eat food from a regular food shelf because it is not halal (blessed by a religious leader). The Somali Community of Minnesota now has their own food shelf to specifically meet the needs of Somali families.
1014 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis
612-871-6786
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program Women, Infants and Children (WIC). What is WIC? WIC is a federally funded service that provides nutritious food, nutrition counseling and referrals to health and other social service agencies to participants at no charge.
Who is eligible to receive WIC?
Within certain income guidelines:
- Women who are pregnant or who have had a baby within the last six months
- Mothers who are breastfeeding (up to one year)
- Children up to five years
Application Process. Clients apply over the phone by calling the WIC office that serves the county where they live. A list of offices in the 7 county metro area is attached to this document. When assisting clients who live outside the 7 county metro area, visit WIC’s website: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic to use the office locator on their homepage.
Intake is done over the phone and takes about a half hour. The client is then scheduled for a certification appointment at the WIC office and instructed to bring a number of forms to verify her age, address and income as well as the age(s) of her children. Refugees are allowed to just bring their I-94s, a small white card with a pink stamp on it. This card includes their name, birth date and the date they entered the US. It is a very important document and most clients will know exactly what you are talking about when you mention it.
Certification Appointment, the mother and her children will receive a brief health and nutrition screening. Their height, weight and hemoglobin levels are taken. They also meet with a nutritionist to talk about the family’s health needs and receive any additional referrals at this time. After meeting with the nutritionist, mothers are given vouchers for three months worth of food.
Interpreters. While some of the offices do have Hmong and Somali staff, interpreters are not provided so it would be a good idea to advise clients to make the first phone call with a friend or relative who can translate for them.
Length of Program. Mothers who choose not to breastfeed their babies can receive WIC for 6 months after the birth of their child and mothers who do breastfeed can receive WIC for one year. Children can receive WIC till the age of 5. Recertification to verify child’s health and the family’s income level is required every 6 months.
Where to Apply: *Call for an appointment*
Anoka County
Anoka County Health and Environmental Services
(763) 422-7055
2100 Third Avenue, 6th Floor
Anoka, MN 55303
Hennepin County
Hennepin County Health Department
(612) 348-6100
Century Plaza
330 South 12th Street, Suite 4710
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(The Hennepin WIC Program serves: Hennepin County excluding Bloomington, Edina & Richfield)
Hennepin County
Bloomington Public Health
(Serves Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield)
(952) 563-8993
1900 West Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 55431
Carver, Scott &Dakota Counties
Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency, Inc.
(952) 496-2125
712 Canterbury Road South
Shakopee, MN 55379
Ramsey County
St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health
WIC Program
(651) 266-1300
555 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
How to Shop Using WIC Coupons. Families will receive coupons (look like checks) each month to purchase WIC items. On each coupon, there is a list of what the family can buy with that coupon. When you use a coupon, you must purchase everything listed on that coupon. Not all coupons have to be used at the same time; however, all coupons must be used within the month they were received.
