Minnesota Supplemental Aid - (MSA)

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Education for Justice

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MSA is Minnesota Supplemental Aid. It is a small amount the state pays to people with low incomes who are elderly, blind or disabled and who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It is also possible to qualify for MSA if you get Social Security Disability benefits that are more than $794 but less than $855 per month.

A person who gets the basic SSI grant of $794 and lives alone normally gets $81 in MSA.

A married couple who live alone and get the SSI couple's rate of $1191 normally get $111 in MSA.

If you live in certain types of non-medical care facilities, the amount is $102 per month.

Because of the way MSA is figured out, you usually can’t get it if you live with anyone else except a spouse who also gets SSI.

You are living alone if:

You have your own lease

You have at least one room to yourself

You buy and make your food separately

If you live in a place like this and get denied MSA, contact Legal Aid.

Any income you have above the SSI amount counts against your MSA grant, but if you work, some of your earned income is not counted.

Special Needs Payments

If you qualify for MSA, sometimes you can get more if:

you need certain kinds of special diets prescribed by a doctor

you have a representative payee, guardian or conservator who charges fees

you have a one-time need for home repairs or replacement of furniture or appliances

you pay a high rent and

are moving from an institution or residential mental health treatment program or

get waivered services through Medical Assistance (MA)

Should I apply for MSA?

Yes, if you:

Are 65 or older or

Are blind or disabled and between the ages of 18 and 65

MSA uses the same rules as Social Security to say who is disabled. You can find information about this on the Social Security Administration’s site at www.ssa.gov.

Your income must be less than the amounts listed above. To apply, file an application at your county welfare office or apply online at www.ApplyMN.dhs.mn.gov. You can also call and ask them to mail you an application, but you can’t apply by phone. A worker goes over your income and assets to see if you are eligible.

What are the MSA asset limits?

Assets mean money or property. If you get SSI, the asset limits for MSA are the same as for SSI. This means a single person can have up to $2,000 in assets. A couple can have up to $3,000. But some things don’t count:

A home

Personal items and household goods

1 car, value doesn't matter, as long as you or someone in your household uses it

Any property or tools you use to support yourself

Life insurance and burial plans worth up to $1,500

Burial plots

The asset limits are higher for some people who only get Social Security Retirement or Disability benefits but not SSI.

What if I get turned down for MSA?

You have the right to appeal. There are 2 ways to get your appeal in:

Online:
You can fill out a form and submit your appeal online. Go to: https://mn.gov/dhs.

Click on the “How do I” box towards top of page
Under “Find” click on “edocs and forms”
Click your language
Type 0033 in the search bar

There are instructions also if you want to read those. Read the form carefully, fill it out completely and click "Submit" on the bottom right. It is a good idea to print a copy for yourself.

By mail or fax:
You can write a letter and mail or fax it. Say you want to appeal an MFIP decision and why. Make sure you put your case number and the date on your letter. Keep a copy for yourself. The papers the county sent you should have the address and fax number you need.

For more information see our fact sheet, Welfare Appeals to DHS.

You have 30 days to file an appeal from the date on the notice that says you were turned down. You may appeal within 90 days of the notice if you have a good reason for not being able to appeal in 30 days.

You will get a hearing with a state human services judge, who will make a written decision on your appeal. If you have an emergency, ask for an expedited appeal (“expedited” means fast). Then your hearing date will be set quickly.