FAMILY & EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Clothing, Household Goods & Furniture Assistance Details

Individuals working with IOCP Case Managers or Employment Services staff can be referred to Resale Select for items necessary for basic needs and ongoing stability at no cost.

• Clothing items such as shoes, undergarments, shirts, and pants for children and adults are available
• Furniture and household items such as bath towels, bedding, and kitchen items are available after a referral to Bridging
• To get started, clients can contact their Case Manager or Employment Services staff or email clientintake@iocp.org for a Resale Select referral
• Once referred, this service is available for those with housing within our service area by appointment from 10 a.m. – 5 P.M. Monday through Thursday, or call 763-489-7500 for a Friday appointment 
• Inventory varies and is dependent on generous donations by community members  

Rental Assistance

IOCP is able to provide emergency rent assistance in some cases to households facing a financial emergency that is resolvable in 1-2 months. If back rent is owed, our assistance must secure housing. Assistance is based on your budget and current financial situation.

Rental and Mortgage Assistance Details

Before we provide assistance, we will ask you to:

• Have housing within our service area
• Pursue payment arrangements or an extension with your landlord 
• Access all resources available to you – personal, public, family/friends
• Apply for Hennepin County Emergency Assistance, Food Support, and Cash Assistance
• Verify through bank statements that your income received within the past 30 days show that you have prioritized basic needs 
• If you are unemployed or underemployed, participate in an active job search and work with our Employment Services team
• Call the IOCP front desk at 763-489-7500 or send an email for further assistance.

Rental Assistance Resources

• Tenant Resource Center (TRC) for Hennepin County 612-767-9737.
• Mental Health Resource (MHR) Bridges Rental Assistance Program for temporary rental assistance to individuals with mental illness to avoid homelessness, 651-659-2914 or send email. 
• Ochs Inc. – guidance and support to individuals who are experiencing medical issues or conditions that impact the ability to work and maintain housing. Support with applying for short-term and long-term disability, 651-665-3789 or send email.
• For mortgage assistance, please visit MN Homeownership Center or HomeHelpMN. 

Utility Assistance Details

IOCP can help if you: 

• have housing within our service area
• have a utility that is disconnected or past due more than 1 month 
• have used Hennepin County Emergency Assistance in last year or have been denied 
• have applied for Energy Assistance if applicable at this time 
• have applied for other applicable forms of assistance (ex: GAP, PowerOn, others) 
• have paid toward your balance in the last 6 months or have the ability to contribute toward the fee 
• have used all other resources – personal, public, family/friends 

Call the IOCP front desk at 763-489-7500 or send an email for further assistance.

Utility Assistance Resources

• Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) 952-930-3541  
• HeatShare provides energy assistance on a year-round basis to families in crisis. Funds are used for natural gas, fuel oil, propane, electricity, furnace checkups, and, in the Twin Cities area, furnace repairs, 1-800-842-7279  
• Xcel: POWER On offers low-income households a discount on their monthly electric and gas bills. Provides assistance in two ways: affordable monthly payments as a percentage of your household income or past-due bill forgiveness
• Centerpoint: Gas Affordability Program offers additional funds to help customers manage monthly energy costs and past-due balances. 

Car Repair Assistance Details

This service is available if you have housing within our service area if you are in our service area and you

• need your car for work, school, job search or medical appointments 
• are employed or, if unemployed and able to work, are actively job seeking 
• have a valid license and current insurance 
• have the ability to pay at least 5% of the repair cost 
• have used all other resources that might be able to help – personal, public, family/friends 

Other requirements:

• Car payments, insurance and regular maintenance must be affordable on-going 
• The car must be your only vehicle in the household or you provide documented need for more than one car 
• The value of the car must be greater than the cost of the repair 
• Car must have less than 200,001 miles on it (if over miles, we will need a mechanic approval for repair) 

Car Repair/Rides

Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County’s Vehicle Repair Assistance Program: Low-cost auto repairs) 952-933-9639 

The Lift Garage: Low-cost auto repairs 612-866-5840 

The Car Clinic: Minor vehicle repair and maintenance to single parents, seniors, veterans, the homeless, or persons in financial need)  

Hennepin Health: Residents of Hennepin County who are eligible for MN Healthcare Programs may also be eligible for rides to medical appointments 

Help to Your Door: Fees are applicable based on age and income 

Check with your health insurance provider on free or discounted rides to and from medical appointments. 

Individual & Family Support Details

For individuals and families who live in our service area who are working towards ongoing stability. 

• Staff will partner with you to set and achieve your goals.
• Work related to housing stability may be combined with rent assistance that allows you to pay 30% of your net income toward rent while actively participating.  

To get started, call the IOCP front desk at 763-489-7500, or send an email for further assistance.