FINANCIAL AND BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE

Clothing Assistance Details

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

• Clothing items such as shoes, undergarments, shirts, and pants for children and adults are available
• This service is available by appointment from 12 to 3 P.M. Monday through Friday.
• Inventory varies and is dependent on generous donations by community members.  
• Winter coats are available October – February
• Call the IOCP front desk for a referral: 763-489-7500

Rental and Mortgage Assistance Details

Before we provide assistance, we will ask you to:

• 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, cash assistance and food support if applicable
• 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. 

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 individual 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 the 8 cities that we serve: Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Wayzata, Plymouth (west of 494) and 4 housing communities near Medicine Lake 
• 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, Power On, 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 

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 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