Benefits for seniors in Minnesota

Medicaid for people 65 and over

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) runs Medical Assistance (MA). There is a group for people who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability.

• Income: At or below 100% of the federal poverty level, about $15,960 a year for one person. Minnesota updates the dollar limits each July 1. Whose income counts depends on who lives with you.
• Spenddown: If your income is over the limit, you may still get MA with a spenddown. It works like an insurance deductible. You pay part of your medical costs, and MA pays the rest.
• Savings and other assets: $3,000 for one person, or $6,000 for two. Your home and usually one car are not counted.
• Account check: Adults 65 and over must allow the state's Asset Verification Service to check their financial accounts electronically.
• Start date: Coverage can start the first day of the month you apply, and can go back up to three months before that.
• If you have Medicare: You can still get MA. MA helps with costs Medicare does not pay.

Long-term care

MA can pay for nursing home care, and for care at home through the Elderly Waiver (see below).

• Income: For the Elderly Waiver, people with income up to $2,982 a month in 2026 can usually keep $1,353 a month to live on. In a nursing home, you keep $132 a month for personal needs, and most of the rest of your income goes toward your care.
• If you are married: Your spouse at home can keep up to $162,660 in savings in 2026. Your spouse may also get part of your income, so their own income reaches at least $2,705 a month (up to $4,066.50 in some cases).
• Home equity: If your home equity is over $752,000, MA will not pay for long-term care unless your spouse or certain relatives live there.
• How to apply: Use the Application for Payment of Long-Term Care Services (DHS-3531).

Estate recovery. After death, Minnesota may seek repayment from the estate of people who got MA at 55 or older, or who lived permanently in an institution, usually only if there is no surviving spouse, no child under 21, and no child with a permanent disability.

Help paying Medicare costs

Minnesota has four Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs):

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A premium (if you owe one) and Part B premium, plus Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Income up to 100% of the poverty level: about $1,350 a month for one person, or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Service Limited Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to 120% of the poverty level: about $1,616 a month for one person, or $2,184 for a couple.
• QI (Qualified Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to 135% of the poverty level: about $1,816 a month for one person, or $2,455 for a couple. Funds are limited and given first come, first served.
• QWD (Qualified Working Disabled): Pays the Part A premium for some working people under 65 with disabilities.

Asset test: Yes, but Minnesota's limit is higher than the federal minimum. For QMB, SLMB and QI, savings and other assets must be no more than $10,000 for one person, or $18,000 for two or more.

Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over. If you get any MSP, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

Prescription drug help

Minnesota has no general state drug payment program for seniors. The main help is federal Extra Help. It lowers your Part D premium and copays. You can get it if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, about $23,940 a year for one person in 2026. If you have MA or an MSP, you get it without a separate application.

Insulin: With Medicare drug coverage, a month of covered insulin costs no more than $35. Minnesota's Insulin Safety Net Program (MNinsulin.org) mainly helps people without that protection. Some Medicare Part D members who have already spent a lot on drugs this year can use its continuing-need program.

Minnesota Aging Pathways counselors can help you compare drug plans and apply for Extra Help.

Extra state payment with SSI

Minnesota pays a state supplement called Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) to some people who get SSI. Your county, not Social Security, handles it. The amount depends on your living situation and your other income, and it goes up when SSI goes up. Some people also get extra MSA for a special diet or for high housing costs. Check the current amount with your county human services office. Your SSI federal payment is up to $994 a month for one person.

Food help

• SNAP: If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, the main test is net income: about $1,330 a month for one person or $1,804 for two, after deductions. Your home, retirement and savings accounts, and cars are not counted for most households. If an asset test does apply to you, the limit is $4,750. Households of one or two get at least $25 a month.
• How to apply: Online at MNbenefits.mn.gov. If you are 60 or older, you can use the one-page Senior SNAP Application and mail or bring it to your county office. You will have an interview.
• Minnesota Food HelpLine: Call 1-888-711-1151, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can check if you qualify for SNAP and help you find food shelves, free meals and farmers' markets.
• Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: Low-income seniors may get $25 in coupons each summer for fresh produce at approved farmers' markets. Contact your local Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) agency, or call the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6060.

Help staying at home

• Elderly Waiver (EW): For people 65 or older who qualify for long-term care MA and need nursing home level of care, but want to live at home or in the community. It can pay for adult day services, customized living, homemaker and chore services, respite, home-delivered meals, emergency response systems, transportation and equipment. A MnCHOICES assessment decides if you need this level of care. If you are in Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) or Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+), your plan provides EW services.
• Alternative Care (AC): For people 65 or older who need nursing home level of care and would qualify for MA within 135 days of entering a nursing home, but are not on MA now. You may pay a monthly fee based on your income. The fee is up to 30% of service costs, and it is the highest if you have $10,000 or more in assets.
• PACE: Minnesota does not have a PACE program at this time.
• How to start: Ask your county or Tribal office for a MnCHOICES assessment, or call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433.

Property tax and housing help

The Minnesota Department of Revenue runs these programs.

• Homestead Credit Refund (homeowners): If you owned and lived in your home on January 2, you may get a refund on part of your property tax. For refunds filed in 2026 (based on 2025 income), household income must be less than $142,490. File Form M1PR. A 2026 law raised these refunds by 14.88%. You can still file until August 16, 2027.
• Special property tax refund: If your home's net property tax went up by more than 12% from one year to the next, and by at least $100, you may get a refund of up to $1,000. There is no income limit. This is also on Form M1PR.
• Renter's Credit: For the 2025 tax year, household income must be below $77,570. The credit is up to $2,720 and is refundable. Claim it on Schedule M1RENT with your Minnesota income tax return (Form M1). You need a Certificate of Rent Paid from your landlord. If you cannot get one, ask the Department of Revenue for a Rent Paid Affidavit.
• Senior Citizens' Property Tax Deferral: If you are 65 or older (if married, one spouse 65 and the other at least 62) and household income is $96,000 or less, you may be able to put off part of your property tax. Apply by November 1 with Form CR-SCD. Call 651-556-4803.
• Questions: Call the Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094. Free tax preparation for people 60 and over: 651-297-3724 or 1-800-657-3989.

Help with energy bills

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is Minnesota's version of LIHEAP. The Minnesota Department of Commerce runs it through local service providers.

• Who qualifies: Household income at or below 50% of the state median income. For October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, that is $38,464 a year for one person, or $50,299 for two.
• What it pays: A grant toward heating costs of up to $1,400. Crisis grants of up to $600 more can help if you have a shutoff notice, are cut off, are nearly out of fuel, or your furnace stops.
• Deadline: Applications must be received by May 31, 2027.
• How to apply: Online at energy-assistance.web.commerce.state.mn.us, or mail a paper application to your local EAP provider. Call 1-800-657-3710, or 1-800-657-3602 in Greater Minnesota.
• Cold Weather Rule: From October 1 to April 30, your gas or electric company cannot shut off your heat if you set up and keep a payment plan with them. Call your utility to ask for a Cold Weather Rule plan. Questions: Public Utilities Commission, 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782.

Free help and counseling

• Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line): Minnesota's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Aging and Disability Resource Center, run by the Minnesota Board on Aging with the Area Agencies on Aging. Free help with Medicare, drug costs, long-term care planning and local services. Call 1-800-333-2433, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or use live chat at mn.gov/aging-pathways.
• County or Tribal office: For MA, MSPs, MSA, SNAP and long-term care assessments.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for