Sponsor: Financial Assistance Services
Title
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Personnel Complement Increase in the Financial Assistance Services Department for House Resolution 1 Implementation
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Recommendation
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1. Approve an increase in the personnel complement of Financial Assistance Services by 16.5 Full-Time Equivalent Eligibility Specialists.
2. Approve an increase in the personnel complement of Financial Assistance Services by 1 Full-Time Equivalent Eligibility Specialists Supervisor.
3. Authorize the County Manager to transfer up to $363,263 from the General Contingency Account to Financial Assistance Services 2026 operating budget.
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Background and Rationale
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House Resolution 1 (HR1) or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was signed into federal law on July 4th, 2025. This new law has major impacts on how states are funded and required to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid (known in Minnesota as Medical Assistance (MA)). In Minnesota, both SNAP and MA are state-supervised and county-administered programs, indicating that it is county staff who are responsible for the day-to-day administration and delivery of these services. Most states administer these programs through state agencies rather than local governments.
The new law significantly increases the day-to-day workload of administering these programs through policy decisions that increase the time required to review, decide and process cases; implement new work and documentation requirements; decrease eligibility timelines; and increase the frequency (and therefore volume) of renewals. Financial Assistance Services (FAS) has been preparing for these changes by strengthening staff investment and training, engaging in available technology modernization, and streamlining the service delivery process.
As federal and state agencies have continued to provide new information regarding policy implementation, FAS leaders, in partnership with Finance and Human Resources, have completed an assessment of anticipated increases in workload and how to efficiently and effectively ensure un-interrupted services to residents. Through this analysis, it was determined that the anticipated increased workload in both SNAP and MA can best be addressed through continued departmental transformation and an increase of 16.5 full-time equivalent eligibility specialists and one additional full-time equivalent eligibility specialist supervisor.
This request is to add those additional positions along with the cost of the positions not generated through Income Maintenance Random Moments Time Study reimbursement for the remainder of the year.
This action to ensure the county’s ability to meet federal and state requirements advances the county’s strategic priority of Operational Excellence, ensures staff are hired based on state driven timetables, and reduces implementation risk to the county.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
X Well-being __ Prosperity __ Opportunity X Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
In Ramsey County, racially or ethnically diverse and/or American Indian communities are disproportionally represented in the economic assistance programs administered by Financial Assistance Services. As of July 28th, 2026, 74.3% of MA recipients and 64.39% SNAP recipients in Ramsey County represented racially or ethnically diverse and/or American Indian communities. By ensuring that the department is sufficiently staffed to ensure continuity of services, this action is anticipated to continue to support residents through times of financial crisis and challenge.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This is an administrative action. As a result, there was no specific community engagement with this board action.
X Inform __ Consult __ Involve __ Collaborate __Empower
Fiscal Impact
The anticipated cost of these additional 17.5 positions’ salary and benefits is $363,236 for October 2026-December 2026. The request is to transfer these funds from the General Contingency Account to the Financial Assistance Services 2026 operating budget. If approved, the ongoing cost of these positions will be incorporated into department’s budget, including the 2027 costs in the County Manager’s 2027 Supplemental Budget.
Last Previous Action
On August 11, 2026, the Financial Assistance Services department presented H.R. 1 Implementation: Operational Readiness, Service Delivery, and Staffing Needs to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
Attachments
1. General Contingent Account Status Report