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Family Support Grant (FSG)
The Family Support Grant Program provides cash grants to families of children, under 25 years of age, with a certified disability, residing at home. The goal of the program is to prevent or delay the out-of-home placement of children and promote family health and social well-being by enabling access to family-centered services and supports.
Recipients between the ages of 14 to 25 can use the grant funds toward transitional services and supports to achieve an employment goal. When the recipient is working towards an employment goal they do not need to reside in their guardians/parents' home to utilize grants funds but guardian/parent will be responsible for monitoring grant fund usage and follow program guidelines.
Income-based eligibility
Families must have an annual adjusted gross income that is less than $130,807 (starting January 1, 2025) per year.
- If you are above this income you can apply for a hardship and your hardship will be reviewed.
- Proof of income with most current tax forms are required when applying.
Not eligible
- Currently, people receiving any Medical Assistance Waiver are not eligible for this program.
- People receiving Personal Care Assistance (PCA) or Consumer Support Grant are not eligible for the Family Support Grant Program unless approved prior and authorized by grant coordinator.
Gap service or 30-day service stop
You are allowed to use this program to fill a service gap time prior to actively using one of those programs or stop services under PCA/CSG for 30 days to obtain grant funds to make a lump sum purchase.
If you have questions on whether you can use this as a “gap service or 30-day service stop," contact your case manager or email the Family Support Grant Coordinator.
Families can contact their Washington County social worker to request an application. Once returned, the application will be reviewed and scored based upon need. You will be contacted by your social worker if you are awarded a grant and the amount.
Please return the following items completely filled out and signed to avoid a process delay:
- Application Form filled out and signed (DOC).
- Application Form filled out and signed (PDF).
- Budget Form (DOC).
- Budget Form (PDF).
- Annual Expenditures (DOC).
- Annual Expenditures (PDF).
- Hardship Application – if applicable (DOC).
- Hardship Application – if applicable (PDF).
- Most recent tax return
Recipients may receive a maximum of $3,113.99 per year.
Monthly grant funding
This type of grant is for families who have ongoing needs and expenses that occur on a regular basis, such as respite care, therapy not covered by MA or private insurances, etc.
One-time grant funding
This type of grant is for families who want to apply part or all of the grant towards the cost of one or more specific high-cost items, such as adaptive devices, special equipment and home modifications. One-time lump sum grants are limited to the max yearly amount of $3,113.99 per year.
Please note the county receives limited funds per year – when the funds are fully allocated the new applicants will be placed on a waiting list until more funds become available.
What can you use it for?
The grant must be spent on services and items that are directly related to caring for the child with a disability. You are not allowed to use the parent pay option under this program. Only expenses that are beyond typical cost of caring for a child of similar age may be covered or for the child to achieve an employment goal (14- 25 years old).
Allowable expense categories include:
- Support Services (Staff, Respite).
- Educational services/Tutors.
- Medical services.
- Medications.
- Transitional services related to employment.
- Specialized clothing, dietary needs, equipment or modifications.
- Other items/services may be covered – please check with FSG coordinator, if it’s related to the child’s disability.
Please ask your social worker or FSG coordinator if you have questions about coverage for a certain item or service not listed.
Family Support Grants may not be used for purchases covered by other funding sources, such as private insurance and Medical Assistance/TEFRA. A denial letter may be requested from the applicant to show FSG is the last payment coverage option for some items requested to be covered.
- You will be notified to fill out a W-9 form to complete the application process to get the funds mailed. Families must keep receipts for all expenses for two years – you may be requested to turn in receipts for items that were on your budget sheet to show proof of purchase.
- Monthly grants are available as funds are available to a family on an ongoing basis each fiscal year through the annual renewal process, as long as their child remains eligible for the program.
- You will receive a renewal packet to start the renewal process over. If you do not receive this renewal packet by December please contact your social worker or the Family Support Grant Coordinator.
- One-time grant recipients or hardship grant recipients will need to request the application from their social worker or Family Support Grant Coordinator – renewal packets do not go out for these individuals.
- Do I need a case manager in order to receive the Family Support Grant?
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You do not need an assigned county case manager to be eligible for the grant. You will need to meet all of the requirements with income, age, disability, and need for the grant.
- Can I use this with PCA services, CSG program, or the while on a waiver?
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Yes, if you are currently using any other MA funded program you will need to consult with your case manager or the FSG Coordinator. Send an email to ComSvsFamilySupportGrant@co.washington.mn.us to inquire if your situation is eligible.
- What if I’m eligible at the moment but waiting to get PCA services, CSG, or waivered services set up – can I use this while I wait?
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Yes! We can use FSG funds as a gap services to assistance as long as you qualify while you wait for other services to be set up.
- How long does it take to get approved for the grant?
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After all of the paperwork that is needed to process has been received you will be notified of what you have been approved for and the grant amount. It typically will take around 30-60 days to receive the funds.
- What if the person is eligible for all of the criteria besides the child still live at home and is over 25?
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As of right now, we can’t approve anyone that is 25 or older to receive grant funds. Please call the intake line to see if other services are available based on the needs of the person.
- Do I need to have Medical Assistance to qualify?
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You do not need to have MA to be eligible for grant funds but the family support grant should always be used last payer, if you are on MA and it covers a service or your private insurance is able to cover it. You may be asked to provide documentation that show denials off coverage from MA and/or your private insurance before getting approved.
- Can I use this program more than once?
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You can reapply yearly for the program and your eligibility will be reviewed again. There is a yearly max per year that one child is allowed to receive. If you do not qualify at some point after being approved you are responsibility for communicating this and returning any funds that you shouldn’t have received directly to the county.
- What if I have more than one child in the home that qualifies?
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Each child that qualifies for the Family Support Grant is allowed to receive up to the max amount each year as long as they qualify for the grant.
- When do you receive the monthly checks? Can I pick it up?
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The checks are always mailed out the beginning of the month. It is very important to keep your mailing address updated with the case manager or the FSG coordinator. The checks are mailed directly to the family. We do not coordinate in-person pickups of the checks.