Stearns County is changing eligibility requirements to emergency assistance programs starting Tuesday.

Stearns County says changes will be made to the Emergency General Assistance and Family Emergency Funds programs to help more families in the community.

These programs provide financial help with housing expenses to individuals and families. Both are mandated, state-funded programs.

 Criteria changes as of July 1 are the following:

• Residents can now apply for assistance every 18 months, rather than every 12 months.

• Applicants no longer need to do a basic needs test.

• Clarification of a household unit, defined as all individuals who live together in the same location regardless of legal relationship

• Gross income limit of 200%, rather than 125%, of the federal poverty guideline, increasing from $2,454/month to $3,926/month for a family of four, giving eligibility to more working families

• Funds will cover a maximum of two months unpaid rent and utility disconnect, not to exceed $3,000, instead of two months’ rent and an additional $3,000 for utilities.