WEBVTT

00:00.011 --> 00:04.044
MSA housing assistance.

00:04.044 --> 00:14.014
Are you having a hard time paying your rent each month? Well, you may qualify for some extra help to cover your housing costs. It's called MSA housing assistance.

00:14.014 --> 00:23.023
That would be incredible. Right now, I get $994 in supplemental security income and $81 in Minnesota supplemental aid,

00:23.023 --> 00:27.027
but my rent and utilities are over half my income.

00:27.027 --> 00:35.035
Well, if you qualify for MSA housing assistance, you could get up to $497 each month to help pay for your housing costs.

00:35.035 --> 00:39.039
That would be amazing. How do I know if I qualify?

00:39.039 --> 00:47.047
There are four main rules. I'll explain them one at a time. First, you have to be eligible for MSA.

00:47.047 --> 00:57.057
Second, your housing expenses, like rent and utilities, must be more than 40% of your income. The MSA you get isn't counted as income.

00:57.057 --> 01:02.000
Third, you must be younger than 65 years old when you apply.

01:02.000 --> 01:06.000
Fourth, you must be eligible for medical assistance, community first services,

01:06.000 --> 01:13.000
and supports or be living in your own place and getting medical assistance waiver services. You could also meet this fourth rule if you are moving out

01:13.000 --> 01:21.000
of an institution or intensive mental health residential treatment program for people with mental illness and into your own place or are moving off of

01:21.000 --> 01:29.000
Minnesota's housing support program. I definitely meet those rules.

01:29.000 --> 01:37.000
Great. Even if you're not sure whether you meet the rules, you can get help to see if you qualify by calling or visiting your local county human

01:37.000 --> 01:46.000
services agency. You can also learn more about MSA Housing Assistance at mn.hb101.org.

01:46.000 --> 01:54.000
Thanks. Now, I'm hoping to get a part-time job pretty soon. Living on SSI and MSA just isn't enough. But would I

01:54.000 --> 01:59.000
lose this extra help and end up with less money overall?

01:59.000 --> 02:07.000
Work is very important. You can create a plan to make sure you have more money to live your best life. To learn more or

02:07.000 --> 02:15.000
get help creating a plan, contact DisabilityHub MN at 8663332466 or use the tools and information on mn.db101.org.
