Do you need assistance as a result of state government shutdown?

MAPE members have additional resources to help relieve the financial burden caused by the state government shutdown. For a list of additional resources, please go here: Layoff Resources

Your first step is to contact your financial institution as most are offering deferment on loans (i.e., mortgage, car, etc). Your financial institution may also be offering other forms of assistance to those impacted by the shutdown.

Your next step is to contact the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) as you may be eligible to use funds from your Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan (MNDCP) and/or Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP). For more information, please visit the MSRS website (www.msrs.state.mn.us).

Also, MAPE is working with Affinity Plus Credit Union to administer a Hardship Program for MAPE Full Members.  If not currently a full member, please print the Membership Application form (www.mape.org/sites/default/files/MAPE Membership Application.pdf) and mail or fax (651-227-5612) the completed form to MAPE.

You may be able to qualify for an Affinity Plus Credit Union loan if you are experiencing a financial hardship due to the state government shutdown. For more information or to apply, call Affinity Plus at (651) 312-9410 and ask for John Simonsen or a member of the Solutions Division, or go to the Affinity Plus website (www.affinityplus.org). You may also apply at any Affinity Plus location statewide.

In addition to the loan program, Affinity Plus Credit Union also administers the MAPE Hardship Grant Program. For those members who do not qualify for an Affinity Plus hardship loan, they may then apply for a MAPE Hardship Grant. Grant amounts, based on need as determined by Affinity Plus, may range up to a $1,000 maximum per Full Member. If approved for a MAPE Hardship Grant, Affinity Plus will disburse the hardship grant funds directly to creditors, not to the members. Applicable hardship criteria is as follows:

Any [Full] member meeting the following criteria is eligible for Hardship Grants:

• Must be laid off as a result of the state government shutdown.
• Must have applied for and been denied a Hardship Loan by the selected lending Financial Institution administering the Hardship Loan program. (Affinity Plus)
• Must take advantage of financial planning services (if offered free of charge by the selected Financial Institution administering the Hardship Grant program).

For more details on the grant policy, please go here: Hardship Grant Policy (PDF)

To financially support members impacted by the state government shutdown, you may contribute to the Hardship Grant Fund by making your check payable to the MAPE Hardship Fund and mailing it to:

MAPE Hardship Fund
3460 Lexington Ave. N., Suite 300
Shoreview, MN  55126.