RESOURCES FOR
Community
Below are community resources to support you and your family with personal, professional, and basic needs. Remember, you don't have to navigate challenges on your own - help is always available.
You can also contact United Way 211, a free and confidential service available 24/7 by phone, text, or online. Their highly trained and compassionate community specialists can connect you with local programs for housing, food, utilities, and much more. The service is also supported by other organizations, including Goodwill and Community Action Partnerships
***click on titles for link***
Employment Resources
CareerForce offers free services to help you succeed in the job search, including career assessments, job postings, industry and occupational information, workshops, job search events, and research on in-demand careers.
Twin Cities area: 651.296.3644, Greater Minnesota: 1.877.898.9090
For general information and to apply for unemployment benefits.
Twin Cities area: 651.259.7500, Great Minnesota: 1.800.345.2537
A no-fee job bank for Minnesota job seekers and employers. Create a profile, post up to five resumes, and search for jobs on this site.
651.646.6000
DFS Twin Cities assists individuals who identify as women or are gender-expansive and are 18-years of age or older with career advancement services including classes, coaching, and professional clothing. Women who are 18 and older can register for services through the second link above.
Food Resources
A pop-up grocery store that sells packs of fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40% off retail prices. There are 20 sites in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Check the website for a sale near you.
1.888.711.1151
When you lose your job or your income simply decreases, the financial strain can make it difficult to afford food. The Minnesota Food Helpline can help assess your situation and guide you to resources. Contact
A federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. To learn more about your school's breakfast and lunch offerings, visit your school's website or connect with your school's nutrition program manager.
Teamsters Food Shelf
Provides food assistance in times of need to Teamster members and their families, as well as clients of MN Job Partners dislocated worker program.
3001 University Ave SE Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Housing Resources
612.522.2500
Resource for rentals, subsidized housing, and other housing options in the metro and greater Minnesota.
1.866.333.2436
An online resource for Minnesotans to understand their housing options, find ways to pay for housing, and develop a personalized housing plan.
Weatherization Assistance Program
800.657.3710 energy.info@state.mn.us
The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home energy upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help save energy and make sure your home is healthy and safe.
Foreclosure Resources
888.995.4673
If you have fallen behind in your housing payments or face foreclosure/eviction, 995 Hope has supportive housing counselors to help you explore how to get back on track.
Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA)
651.675.4400
The Dakota County CDA manages over 2,900 units of affordable rental housing for working families and seniors in Dakota County.
Minnesota Home Ownership Center
651.659.9336 or 866.646.6466
The center supports a network of professional advisors offering free services and resources to help you buy a home, and individualized assistance to prevent foreclosure when times are tough.
Rental Assistance – HOME Line MN
612.728.5767
Provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
612.331.4090
Creates, preserves, and promotes affordable homeownership through its programs. They provide education and support for families to buy a home, offer home repair services to low-income families and seniors, and advocate for affordable housing policies. The organization also runs the ReStore Home Improvement Outlets, which sell new and gently used home goods to the public, with proceeds supporting their mission
Utilities Resources
Helps pay energy bills for eligible Minnesotans (renters and homeowners). Eligibility is based on income and household size.
Update 11/3/25 -- EAP is still waiting for federal funding for this program year. Benefits will be delayed due to the government shutdown. However, we are currently accepting applications and encourage you to apply.
Public Utilities Commission: Shut-off Protection
Minnesota residential utility customers have some protection from utility service shut off all year round.
Public Utilities Commission: Telephone Discounts
Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) and the federal Lifeline (LL) program offer monthly discounts on landline telephones, cell phones, and/or broadband internet services to income qualifying households.
Financial Resources
Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County
Provides free workshops and counseling on making a budget, managing your money, and reaching your financial goals.
People Serving People
The Families for Finance program offers families one-on-one financial counseling, financial literacy classes, and savings account matches to promote economic stability.
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota – Financial Counseling
A nationally recognized and holistic credit counseling agency providing quality guidance, knowledge, and tools to help establish a budget, pay off credit card debt or student loans, purchase a home, and more.
651.539.2099 or 855.366.7873
Minnesota’s Health Insurance Marketplace that provides health insurance guidance.
Small Business Resources
CLIMB (Converting Layoffs into Minnesota Businesses)
CLIMB is a component of the state-funded Dislocated Worker program designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs with training and consulting for a successful business launch or growth.
Small Business Development Centers
A resource that provides free or low-cost training, counseling, and technical assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Small Business Assistance Office
Offers individual consultation services along with a comprehensive series of business guidebooks, providing in-depth information at low or no cost.
Mental Health Resources
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for immediate support.
Veteran Resources
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
FAQs about VA benefits and services, step-by-step instructions for using VA.gov tools, and other helpful articles.