Family Support Grant

​​​The Family Suppor​t Grant (FSG) is a state program that provides cash grants to eligible families (under the age of 25) with individuals who have been certified disabled. The funds need to address the individual’s disability-rel​ated needs. 

The grant cannot be used towards parent pay, housing or food. Medical Assistance is not required to access this grant.   

​Program eligibility

The Family Support Grant is available to children: 

• Younger than 25 years old  
• Who live in their biological or adoptive family home 
• Whose family has an annual adjusted gross income of $134,665 or less​ (except in cases where extreme hardship is demonstrated) 
• Who have been certified disabled by one of the following: 
  • Social Security Administration (SSA) 
  • State Medical Review Team (SMRT) 
  • Eligible for Rule 185 developmental disability/related condition case management 
  • Have a serious and persistent mental health (SPMI) diagnosis under Rule 79 
    

An individual cannot receive FSG at the same time as receiving services under the following programs:

• Personal Care Assistance (PCA) / Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
• Consumer Support Grant (CSG)
• Waiver services ​

Cov​​ered services

The grant must be spent on services and items that are directly related to the child's disability. Only expenses that are beyond typical cost of caring for a child of similar age may be covered.

Families must use grant funds to purchase services and items:

• Described in their child's assessment or service plan
• Not available through other funding sources or other community programs
• That support safety needs, sensory needs, transition-related activities, etc.

For a list of approvable items on FSG, please refer to the Client Driven Support Expenditure Guide (Somali, Spanish).

Extreme​​ hardship

Families making more than $134,665 per year can request an exception to this criteria by providing a completed Hardship Form (DAK-7949).

Send the Hardship Form with the FSG Application.

The following items will be looked at:

• Family size​
  
• Presence of disability in other family members
• Substantial debt due to child's disability

Grant amou​nts

Recipients  may receive a maximum of $3,113.99 per calendar year. 

​Applying for t​he grant

If there is a Dakota County case manager involved, families should contact them for help in applying for the Family Support Grant.

​Dakota County offers two types of Family Support Grants:

After fu​​​nds are received

• Families must keep receipts for all expenses for three years and document all spending on the Expe​nditure Report (DAK-7107).
  • If using for staff and mileage, track spending on the FSG Mileage Reimbursement Form.​ ​
    
  • If using for respite, track spending on the Support Usage Form.
  • If all the approved funds are not spent, the funds need to be returned. 

If you need to change an FSG plan, please complete the Consumer Directed Support Plan Change Request Form (DAK 7112).  

If you have a case manager, send all completed forms to them for review. If you do not have a case manager, send all completed forms to ssfsgplanapproval@co.dakota. mn.us.

If you choose to complete send the completed forms by mail, the address is: 

Dakota County Social Services
Attn:  Team C - FSG 
1 Mendota Road W., Suite 300
West St. Paul, MN 55118-991

For questions, email ssfsgplanapproval@co.dakota.mn.us or call 651-554-6000 and ask to speak with the FSG representative.  Interpreters are available.

​Sign up for monthly Aging and D​isability e-newsletter

Community Living Services sends a monthly e-newsletter. To sign up, visit our Dakota Count​y E-News page and select “Aging and Disability News."  ​