Frequently Asked Questions

Agricultural

For agricultural property, a qualifying relative includes the owner's:

• Child
• Grandchild
• Parent
• Aunt
• Uncle
• Nephew
• Niece
• Sibling or
• Spouse

Residential

For residential property, a qualifying relative  includes the owner’s:

• Child
• Grandchild
• Parent
• Aunt
• Nephew
• Niece
• Uncle
• Sibling or 
• Spouse

You must apply on or before December 31, 2023.

Once homestead is granted, annual applications are not necessary unless they are requested by the county assessor.

Property Use & Homestead Status Changes

Contact the assessor by December 31, 2023, if the use of the property you own or occupy as a qualifying relative has changed during the past year.

If you sell, move, or for any reason no longer qualify for the homestead classification, you are required to notify the county assessor within 30 days of the change in homestead status.

Eligibility is based on a documented mental health diagnosis. If you do not have a current mental health diagnosis, our mental health intake worker can assist you with a referral for an evaluation to see if you qualify for services.  

County residents can call in requesting services for themselves or on behalf of a family member or person they care for. When a call is placed to our office, an intake worker will assist you in identifying what services can best benefit you. In addition to local services, we can make referrals to other providers and resources. To request assistance, please call our Intake Worker at 507-357-8228.

Documents

• Le Sueur County Child/Adult Voluntary Services Referral Form (DOCX)
• Le Sueur County DHS Authorization for Release of Information (PDF)

A few of the services Le Sueur County provides to qualifying persons include: 

• Case Management for Adults with SPMI (Serious and Persistent Mental Illness)
• Crisis Assessment
• Diagnostic Assessments
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Medication Management and Telemedicine (Through the Blue Earth County Psychiatric Hub)
• Needs Assessments
• Out-Patient Counseling
• Psychological Evaluations
• Therapeutic and Recreational Supportive Groups
• Transportation Assistance

We do not want finances to be a barrier to accessing needed mental health services and will work with everyone who requests services on making those services affordable by offering a sliding fee scale. Due to this commitment, we may need to refer clients who do have third party insurance to other area providers. Not all services require a fee.

For further information on Adult Mental Health Services available, please go to the South Central Community Based Initiative (SCCBI) website.

As a parent raising children can be a difficult task as it is but when dealing with children that have emotional or behavioral problems obtaining the right help can make things less difficult for themselves as well as for the child. Most children go through periods during their growth in dealing with their home life, school and also with classmates and friends. During most of these times the parents can successfully help and support their children with any issues that do arise. The following signs though when experienced on a frequent basis are often signs where there may be reason enough to consult with your child's doctor or with a mental health professional:

• Frequent feelings of depression, unhappiness, or despair
• Feelings of anxiety or significant mood swings
• Frequent periods of confusion or forgetfulness
• Lack of interest in family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy
• Destruction of property
• Difficulty with concentration at school and other activities
• Inability to create or sustain friendships with other children
• Angry and belligerent behavior

South Central Mobile Crisis Team can also assist you and your child in the event of a mental health crisis.

You may apply:

• Electronically: for cash/food/emergency/childcare assistance
• Electronically: for health care
• Fax: you can fax your completed application to Le Sueur County Department of Human Services (DHS) - Attention Financial Intake at 507-357-6122
• In person at our office at:
  88 S Park Avenue
  LeCenter, MN 56057
• Mail: call 507-357-8288 and ask our receptionist to mail you an application

• Not necessarily, however, cash and food programs require an interview with an eligibility worker. We can do the interview in our office (face to face) or we can offer a phone interview when program rules allow.

• Cash and Food program eligibility is determined within 30 days
• Health care program eligibility is determined within 45 days

• Cash and Food programs are prorated from the date we receive your application (this becomes your actual application date). We encourage you to complete the forms in our lobby, or to drop off page 1 of your application as soon as possible to maximize your benefits.

Cash and food benefits are deposited onto an electronic benefit transfer (EBT)card. Food funds can only be accessed when using your card to purchase food items at a grocer. Cash benefits can be accessed at any ATM or a vendor that is licensed to accept EBT cards.

Access phone numbers and websites to call fraud hotlines.

We determine eligibility for the programs.  To find out what is covered, please talk to your medical provider or call the number on the back of your Minnesota Health Care Card (1-800-938-3224).    

We use your gross income, which is the income before any taxes are taken out.    

Benefits are available on the same day every month, even on weekends or holidays. View a chart of benefit availability:             Cash / Food Benefits Chart

You can request an EBT card by calling EBT Customer Service at 1-888-997-2227.    

You can call 211, which is a United Way Information and Referral Service.  You can also try an online directory to locate resources in your community at MinnesotaHelp.Info.

Kids are expensive to care for. We provide financial support for foster families, the amount depending on the age and needs of the particular child. We also cover their medical costs. You won't get rich, but it should more than cover your expenses. Helping a person in need is a challenge - one that could change your life as well as the life of a child or an adult in your care.

Apartments, town homes, single-family homes - all are appropriate locations for foster care or adopted children. Some foster children can share a bedroom with a same gender child close in age. They need to have their own beds; some need their own rooms. Most kids come with few possessions, but will need a dresser drawer and a bit of closet space. If they come to you without adequate clothing for the season, the children's social worker will assist in obtaining extra funds. 

We do not pay for any alterations needed to your house to meet safety and fire codes, but most homes need few if any changes. Our staff will discuss any housing concerns with you before you make any commitment.

Most of the children needing foster or adoptive families are in the social services system due to past abuse or neglect. They have been traumatized. Some are doing pretty well emotionally and are of normal intellect. Others are really hurting, and may show that in their behavior.

Kids, like adults, can be depressed, anxious, fearful, and angry. Some have medical or developmental problems. Many have delayed social skills or special school needs. You'll work closely with social services, the school, therapists and other professionals, and, in many cases, with the child's extended family.

Most kids who go into foster care are quickly reunited with their parents or extended family. Some foster families specialize in working with short-term cases. Other families prefer long-term foster care, or may be interested only in adoption. We often don't know at the time of a placement how long it will be. 

Whenever possible, we try to keep siblings together. They are often each other's best support.

Our "families" come in all shapes and sizes. Some are single adults; some are two, with kids or no kids of their own. Some are large families in which everyone helps out.

Home visits are voluntary and free. These services are reimbursed fully by either insurance or grants. Visits are scheduled around your schedule and as often as you choose.

Public Health staff are able to guide you in identifying risks that could harm your baby. The nurse will encourage early and regular prenatal care and assist you in finding ways to pay for your medical care.

A Public Health nurse will enhance your knowledge of:

• Breast and Bottle Feeding
• Fetal Development
• Labor and Delivery
• Nutrition
• And More

The nurse will also talk about safety and the proper use of car seats. Videos and handouts will be provided to make learning fun.

Most any place you are comfortable! Home, school, work, or the Public Health office - the choice is yours. 

Maybe you have a friend that would like to come along? That's okay too!

To begin, just call the Le Sueur County Public Health at 507-357-8246.

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. It can be mild, but is sometimes more severe and, at times, can lead to death.

Influenza is not the same as the "stomach flu."

Symptoms include:

• Body Aches
• Dry Cough
• Extreme Tiredness
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore Throat

These symptoms come on quickly and can be severe, keeping you in bed for several days.

Yes! Everyone 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated every year. Getting a flu shot helps protect you from getting the flu and prevents you from passing it to other people.

Those who are most at risk of catching the flu include:

• People Age 65 and Older
• People with Chronic Health Conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease)
• Pregnant Women
• Young Children, especially those under 2 years old

Although these people are at highest risk, anyone can become very sick with flu.

WIC is a nutrition and breastfeeding program. It helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. WIC provides nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and referrals to health and other social services.

When participating in the WIC program, you:

• Get nutritious foods at no cost
• Have healthier pregnancies, healthier births, and healthier children
• Receive nutrition counseling for yourself and your children

WIC will provide:

• Breastfeeding Information and Support
• Health Foods like:
  • Baby Foods
  • Beans
  • Cereal
  • Eggs
  • Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
  • Low-Fat Milk
  • Peanut Butter
  • Whole Grains
• Nutrition Tips and Advice
• Referrals for Health Services

You may be eligible if you meet the income guideline and are a:

• Breastfeeding Woman
• Infant or Child up to Five Years of Age
• Pregnant or Postpartum Woman

Wondering if you’re eligible? Find out through the Minnesota Department of Health's website.

Call Le Sueur County Public Health at 507-357-8246, or stop by to make an appointment at:
88 S Park Avenue
Le Center, MN 56057

Cell phones are becoming the preferred method over land lines. Land line phones are tied to specific addresses, allowing easy plotting on computerized maps, but cell phones are designed to allow movement; however, the technology is improving on a continuous basis to assist dispatch centers.

Please be aware that there are many internal happenings when you dial 911 from your cell phone. When you dial 911 from your cell phone the signal goes to the closest cell phone tower and that tower sends your call to a pre-determined Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The dispatch center you receive immediately may not be the dispatch center of the county you are in and you will then be transferred to the correct agency.

Disconnected cell phones are still capable of calling 911. Please do not give these phones to your children as toys.

Payment options are listed on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.

You can find payment information on your case at the Minnesota Child Support Online system.

There are a number of reasons for a delay in payment:
1) The non custodial parent may have switched jobs;
2) The non custodial parent may not have worked the prior week and there is no money for the payor of funds to send in to the state of MN Child Support Payment Center;
3) There are many other reasons that may require our office to contact the payor of the funds.    

This is private data and cannot be shared.    

You can sign up by registering at the Child Support Direct Deposit Website.

You may consult a private attorney for legal advice.  (This child support office does not have authority in this area.)    

Families not receiving public assistance must apply for services and pay a cost recovery fee of 2% from the amount of support collected. (For example, if the child support agency collects $150 per month, your fee is $3. The amount sent to you is $147.)

• Complete the Email Consent form
  • EMAIL CONSENT FORM
• send completed Email Consent form and documents to:
  • csdocs@lesueurcounty.gov