Disability Benefits and Help in Minnesota

SSDI and SSI in Minnesota

Social Security disability works the same in every state: SSA takes your application, and a state agency makes the medical decision. In Minnesota, that agency is the Disability Determination Services (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). In 2026, SSI pays up to $994 a month for an individual before any state supplement, and work above $1,690 a month generally rules out disability benefits.

Start with how to apply, SSDI vs SSI and the eligibility screener. To visit an office, find Social Security offices in Minnesota on socialsecurityofficesnearme.com, the office finder from the same publisher.

Does Minnesota Add to SSI?

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) gives cash help with basic needs to adults who get SSI, and to some people who are 65 or older, blind or disabled whose income is too high for SSI. The monthly grant is figured from the SSI federal benefit rate (or countable income) and the MSA standard set by state law, with special-needs payments available. The state runs it through Minnesota Department of Human Services (applications through county or Tribal offices), separately from SSA.

Source: state program page. See how SSI works and the SSI calculator.

Paid Medical Leave in Minnesota

Minnesota has no temporary disability insurance, but Minnesota Paid Leave pays up to $1,423 a week for your own serious health condition, up to 12 weeks. Paid Leave launched on January 1, 2026. Minnesota Paid Leave details

Compare every state program in state disability insurance.

Medicaid for People With Disabilities in Minnesota

Minnesota's Medicaid program is run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (Medical Assistance). The state is a 209(b) state, which federal law allows to use Medicaid rules more restrictive than SSI's. SSI recipients apply to the state Medicaid agency separately and its rules can differ from SSI's. (SSA)

Working with a disability: Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) lets people with disabilities who work keep Medicaid coverage.

Home and Community Services in Minnesota

• Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver (CADI): people with disabilities who require the level of care provided in a nursing facility
• Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD): people with developmental disabilities or related conditions who need ICF/DD level of care
• Brain Injury Waiver (BI): people with acquired or traumatic brain injuries who need specialized nursing facility or neurobehavioral hospital level of care
• Community Alternative Care Waiver (CAC): chronically ill and medically fragile people who need hospital level of care
• Elderly Waiver (EW): people age 65 or older who require nursing facility level of care
• Consumer Directed Community Supports Waiver (CDCS): people enrolled in the Alternative Care or Elderly Waiver programs

More on Medicaid for people with disabilities and getting paid as a family caregiver.

Vocational Rehabilitation in Minnesota

Minnesota's vocational rehabilitation agencies help people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs:

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Minnesota DEED
• State Services for the Blind, Minnesota DEED (for people who are blind or visually impaired)

How it works: vocational rehabilitation.

Disability Rights Help in Minnesota

Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is Minnesota's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.

Know your rights: the ADA, accommodations at work, IEPs and 504 plans.

ABLE Accounts in Minnesota

Minnesota ABLE Plan: State plan administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. In 2026 you can contribute up to $20,000 a year, and the disability must have started before age 46.

Details: ABLE accounts.

Disability Parking Placards in Minnesota

Apply through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) using Application for Disability Parking Certificate (PS2005). Fee: $5 for temporary and short-term certificates; no fee for long-term and permanent certificates.. Temporary 1 to 6 months; short-term 7 to 12 months; long-term 13 to 71 months; permanent physical disability certificates are issued for 6 years. Certificates are valid until the last day of the month indicated.

How placards work everywhere: disability parking placards.

Minnesota Disability Help: Common Questions