Frequently Asked Questions

If you need to Fax a document to the Financial Assistance Unit, please use the following number:

218-333-4150

If you have a smart phone or computer you can also upload documents at MNbenefits website

Contact Beltrami County Income Maintenance Unit to inquire about Emergency Assistance or Emergency General Assistance.  Use the Call center line at 218-333-8300.  Our hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 

How to use your Minnesota EBT Card

Call customer service (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 1-888-997-2227 to report your card lost or stolen. Effective 9/2012, replacement cards can no longer be obtained directly at the county office and must be mailed. It can take up to 5 business days to receive your replacement card. A $2.00 card replacement fee will be deducted from either your food or cash benefits.

No; however, if your benefits are not accessed for a long period of time they may be removed from your card. If this happens, call our Call Center at 218-333-8300 for assistance.

It depends on your situation. For some emergency situations, benefits can be issued within 5 days. In most situations, the county will notify you by mail of a decision within 30 days.

Food support benefits are distributed through a plastic card that looks like a credit or debit card. It is called an Electronic Benefits or EBT card. Every month, the card is filled up with the money to buy food at places that accept food support, such as grocery stores. The card is swiped and a code number entered (called a PIN or Personal Identification Number). The PIN helps keep benefits safe if the card is ever lost or stolen. The cost of food is subtracted from the amount of money on the card.

Food support benefits may be used for foods to eat such as bread and cereal, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry, and dairy products; seeds and plants which produce food to eat. Food support benefits may NOT be used for any nonfood items, such as pet food, soap, paper products, and household supplies; beer, wine, cigarettes, or tobacco; vitamins and medicines; food that will be eaten in the store; hot foods.

Check the USDA SNAP site for how to use SNAP Benefits.