Know Your Rights: Public Benefits in Minnesota

If you live in Minnesota and need help paying for food, health care, or basic living expenses, you have legal rights. State and county agencies must follow specific rules when processing your application and making decisions about your benefits. Here is what you need to know.

Your Rights

1. You have the right to apply for any program. No one at a county office can turn you away or discourage you from applying for benefits. You have the right to submit an application for any program, and the county must accept it. If a worker tells you not to bother applying, that is wrong — insist on filing your application.

2. Your application must be processed on time. For most programs, the county must make a decision within 30 days of your application. For emergency SNAP (food assistance), the deadline is just 7 days. For disability-based Medical Assistance, the deadline is 45 days.

3. You have 30 days to appeal any decision. If your application is denied, or if your benefits are reduced or ended, you have 30 days from the date on the notice to request a fair hearing. You can appeal by phone, in writing, or online. See Minn. Stat. § 256J for MFIP appeals procedures.

4. Your benefits continue if you appeal within 10 days. If your benefits are being reduced or ended (not a new application denial), and you request an appeal within 10 days of the notice, your benefits continue at the current level while you wait for a hearing. This is called “aid pending.”

5. You have the right to a fair hearing. Your appeal is heard by an impartial human services judge — not the same person who made the original decision. You can present documents, bring witnesses, and have a representative (including a free legal aid attorney) speak on your behalf.

6. You have the right to receive information in your language. County agencies must provide interpreters and translated materials. If you need help in a language other than English, ask for an interpreter — it is free.

7. Minnesota’s income limits are more generous than federal minimums. Minnesota’s SNAP income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — far above the federal standard of 130% FPL. Minnesota also offers MinnesotaCare ( Minn. Stat. § 256L ), a state health program unique to Minnesota for people earning 200-300% FPL. And Minnesota adds a state supplement to federal SSI payments.

8. You cannot be discriminated against for receiving benefits. Under Minnesota law, landlords cannot refuse to rent to you and employers cannot fire you because you receive public assistance. If you experience discrimination based on your benefit status, contact a legal aid organization.

9. You can reapply if denied. A denial does not prevent you from applying again. If your situation changes — you lose income, gain a household member, or have new medical expenses — you can submit a new application at any time.

10. Applying for benefits does not make you deportable. Using SNAP, Medical Assistance, and most other public benefits does not make you deportable under current law. The “public charge” rule affects only certain visa and green card applications, and most benefit programs are excluded. Talk to an immigration attorney if you have specific concerns.

What to Do

• Apply as soon as you need help. Benefits are often backdated to your application date. Do not wait until you have all your documents — apply first and provide documents later.
• Use MNbenefits.mn.gov. This is the fastest way to apply for SNAP, MFIP, General Assistance, and other programs online. For health insurance, use MNsure.org.
• Read every notice carefully. When you receive a notice from the county, check the date, the reason for the decision, and the appeal deadline. Keep all notices in a safe place.
• Appeal within 10 days to keep benefits. If your current benefits are being cut or ended, appeal within 10 days to keep them while you wait for a hearing.
• Ask for help. You do not have to do this alone. Legal aid attorneys can help you apply, appeal, and prepare for hearings at no cost.
• Bring documents to your interview. Pay stubs, tax returns, rent receipts, utility bills, and medical records help the county verify your eligibility.
• Do not give up if denied. Many denials are overturned on appeal, especially with legal help. Common errors include miscalculated income, missing information, or wrong eligibility rules.

Key Deadlines

Deadline	What It Means
7 days	County must process emergency SNAP applications
10 days	Appeal within this window to keep current benefits during your appeal (aid pending)
30 days	Deadline to appeal most DHS benefit decisions
30 days	County must process most benefit applications
45 days	County must process disability-based Medical Assistance applications
60 days	Deadline to appeal SSI/SSDI decisions to Social Security Administration
60 months	Lifetime limit on MFIP cash assistance

Get Help

• MNbenefits.mn.gov: Apply for SNAP, MFIP, GA, and other programs — mnbenefits.mn.gov
• MNsure: Apply for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare — mnsure.org or 1-855-366-7873
• Social Security Administration: For SSI and SSDI — ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213
• 211 (United Way): Dial 2-1-1 for help finding food, housing, and other local resources

For more detail: See our full guide on public benefits in Minnesota:

Public Benefits in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to public benefits in Minnesota including SNAP food assistance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, MFIP, General Assistance, and SSI/SSDI.