EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Rental Assistance Details

Before we provide assistance, we will ask you to:

• Have housing within our service area
• Verify all income for the last 30 days
• Apply for Hennepin County Emergency Assistance, Food Support, and Cash Assistance
• Verify through bank statements (or alternative accounts) that you have prioritized basic needs and fixed expenses in the last 30 days
• Verify any financial emergencies that have caused you to fall behind

If you do not have an IOCP contact already, please 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, call 651-665-3789 or send an 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 

If you do not have an IOCP contact already, please 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 is available if you have housing within 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 Car Clinic: Minor vehicle repair and maintenance to single parents, seniors, veterans, the homeless, or persons in financial need)  

Free Cars and Trucks: Some charities and agencies can provide cars for finding a job and going to work. These can be short-term loaners or long-term grants. 

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

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

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

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