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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Minnesota

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Minnesota: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.

You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.

How to appeal a denialAppeal deadline calculator

Who decides your claim in Minnesota?

Disability Determination Services (DDS)

This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability claim. Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income. Disability examiners ask your doctors and other medical sources for records. They may also contact you or your family by phone or letter.

Part of
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

Find a Social Security office

Does Minnesota add money to SSI?

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)

MSA is extra monthly cash from the state for people who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability (age 18 or older). You must get SSI, or be able to get SSI except that your income is too high. Your income and assets must be under state limits. The amount depends on whether you are married and where you live. Some people also get money for special needs, like a special diet, or for housing costs.

Paid by: the state

WhoState partEffective
single person (typical monthly benefit, up to)$81April 2026
couple (typical monthly benefit, up to)$111April 2026
person living in a facility (typical monthly benefit, up to)$102April 2026
How to apply
Apply online at MNbenefits.mn.gov, or fill out the Combined Application Form and mail or bring it to your county or tribal office. A county worker will talk with you in person or by phone. If you get MSA, it pays from the first day of the month the county or tribe gets your application. Free help applying: Disability Hub MN, 866-333-2466.
Contact
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) - county or tribal office
866-333-2466 (Disability Hub MN, free help)
https://mn.gov/dhs/housing-income/income-assistance/minnesota-supplemental-aid/

Medicaid in Minnesota

Minnesota's Medicaid program is called Medical Assistance (MA). Minnesota uses its own rules for Medicaid. Getting SSI does not sign you up for Medical Assistance on its own. You need to apply for Medical Assistance through your county, tribal or state agency.

Program
Medical Assistance (MA)
Medicaid agency
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
https://hcopub.dhs.state.mn.us/epm/2_3.htm
866-333-2466 (Disability Hub MN)

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)

MA-EPD gives Medical Assistance to people with a certified disability who have a job. You must earn more than $65 a month. People who get SSI cannot use MA-EPD. Enrollees pay premiums.

https://hcopub.dhs.state.mn.us/epm/2_3_5.htm

State disability and paid leave in Minnesota

Minnesota Paid Leave - Medical Leave

Run by
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Paid Leave Division
Who it covers
Most Minnesota workers, including full-time, part-time, temporary and most seasonal workers. You must have earned at least $4,000 in the last year, from one or more jobs. Self-employed people can opt in. Federal, postal and railroad jobs are not covered. Medical Leave is for your own serious health condition that lasts at least 7 days, including pregnancy-related care and recovery.
Benefit
Most people get 55% to 90% of their regular wages. The most you can get is $1,475.09 a week right now. You can take up to 12 weeks of Medical Leave in a benefit year. If you also take family leave, the total is up to 20 weeks. The state pays you, not your employer.
How to file
Tell your employer at least 30 days before your leave, or as soon as you can. Create an online Paid Leave account, fill out the application and upload your documents. A healthcare provider must certify your condition.
Starts
January 1, 2026
Phone
651-556-7777 or 844-556-0444 (toll-free)

Minnesota Paid Leave - Family Leave (bonding, caring, military family and safety leave)

Run by
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Paid Leave Division
Who it covers
Minnesota workers who need time off to bond with a new child or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. It also covers time to help when a family member is called to active military duty, or to deal with domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking. It is not for your own illness. For your own illness, see Medical Leave.
Benefit
Same weekly pay as Medical Leave: most people get 55% to 90% of their regular wages, up to $1,475.09 a week right now. Up to 12 weeks of Family Leave in a benefit year, and up to 20 weeks in all with Medical Leave.
How to file
Apply online through your Paid Leave account. All applications need certification from a healthcare provider or other professional.
Starts
January 1, 2026
Phone
651-556-7777 or 844-556-0444 (toll-free)

Hearing offices and federal court in Minnesota

1 hearing office serves Minnesota. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Minneapolis, MN Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Suite 300, 250 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Fax
(833) 619-0551

Federal district court

If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (87)
  • Aitkin
  • Anoka
  • Becker
  • Beltrami
  • Benton
  • Big Stone
  • Blue Earth
  • Brown
  • Carlton
  • Carver
  • Cass
  • Chippewa
  • Chisago
  • Clay
  • Clearwater
  • Cook
  • Cottonwood
  • Crow Wing
  • Dakota
  • Dodge
  • Douglas
  • Faribault
  • Fillmore
  • Freeborn
  • Goodhue
  • Grant
  • Hennepin
  • Houston
  • Hubbard
  • Isanti
  • Itasca
  • Jackson
  • Kanabec
  • Kandiyohi
  • Kittson
  • Koochiching
  • Lac qui Parle
  • Lake
  • Lake of the Woods
  • Le Sueur
  • Lincoln
  • Lyon
  • Mahnomen
  • Marshall
  • Martin
  • McLeod
  • Meeker
  • Mille Lacs
  • Morrison
  • Mower
  • Murray
  • Nicollet
  • Nobles
  • Norman
  • Olmsted
  • Otter Tail
  • Pennington
  • Pine
  • Pipestone
  • Polk
  • Pope
  • Ramsey
  • Red Lake
  • Redwood
  • Renville
  • Rice
  • Rock
  • Roseau
  • Scott
  • Sherburne
  • Sibley
  • St. Louis
  • Stearns
  • Steele
  • Stevens
  • Swift
  • Todd
  • Traverse
  • Wabasha
  • Wadena
  • Waseca
  • Washington
  • Watonwan
  • Wilkin
  • Winona
  • Wright
  • Yellow Medicine

Free help in Minnesota

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Minnesota Disability Law Center

Phone
612-334-5970 (toll-free 800-292-4150)

Legal aid

Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Minnesota

  • Minnesota Paid Leave started on January 1, 2026. It pays part of your wages for up to 12 weeks of leave for your own serious health condition, up to $1,475.09 a week right now. (Minnesota Paid Leave)
  • Minnesota is a 209(b) state. SSI does not bring Medical Assistance automatically, so you apply through your county. (POMS SI 01715.010)
  • Minnesota's state supplement, MSA, is run by the counties, not by Social Security. You apply for it at your county human services office. (Minnesota House Research)

Recent changes

January 1, 2026: Minnesota Paid Leave began paying benefits (medical and family leave), run by DEED; the premium rate for 2026 and 2027 is 0.88% of wages, and employers may take up to 0.44% from workers (pl.mn.gov).

More RobinClaim guides for Minnesota → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026