Welcome
Welcome to the Benefits Planning Learning Community! Together we are working to remove the fear of loss of benefits as a barrier to employment for people with disabilities.
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed, bring you the most up-to-date information about changes to benefits, highlight important resources, and help you have conversations, answer questions and provide benefits planning to the people you support.
Key Messages About Work and Benefits
Five things everyone (and we mean everyone!) needs to know and communicate about work and benefits:
Work and benefits can go together
All public benefit programs in Minnesota support work
People who work can earn more money than those who don't -- even if their benefits change
Benefits should not be the reason someone chooses not to work
Benefits planning helps people see how work is possible, work to their full potential, save money, and get ahead financially
Upcoming Events
Benefits Planning Learning Community Quarterly Meeting
August 20 from 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
In our quarterly meetings we share accurate, up-to-date information on benefit policies, access to tools to help navigate and plan, and connect with colleagues doing similar work.
This quarter's topics include:
Discussion of benefit updates
Benefits planning with families in mind
Do you have a training topic, a question, or a success story to share? Use our survey to submit your ideas for an upcoming meeting.
Level 3 Benefit Coach Training
September 14
Do you spend a lot of time talking about benefits? Want to be better informed so you can provide even better benefits counseling? Level 3 Benefit Coach Training may be the next step for you.
Before you sign up, be sure to complete Level 1 and Level 2 trainings in the Benefit Planning Toolkit and get approval from your supervisor. Once you complete Level 3 Benefit Coach Training you will earn your Benefit Coach Certification, have access to more tools, and a deeper level of support.
The next Level 3 Benefit Coach Training will begin on September 14. Go to Disability Hub MN - Benefits Coach Certification to learn more and sign up for the waiting list.
Updates
July 1, 2026 Income Guideline Changes
Income guidelines for Medical Assistance (MA), MN Supplemental Aid (MSA) Housing Assistance, and Housing Support Program (HSP) changed on July 1, 2026. The updates reflect the annual Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and new Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG). All Disability Benefit 101 (DB101.org) articles and tools have been updated with the new income limits.
SNAP Work Requirement Changes
Some people are not seeing changes to SNAP work requirements that took effect last fall. Starting November 1, 2025 federal rules limit SNAP benefits to three months in a three-year period for people who:
are not working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours each month), and
do not meet an exemption
The good news is that many of the people we support are already working, volunteering, or engaged in an educational program 20 or more hours a week. If they're not, they likely qualify for an exemption from the SNAP work rules because they have a disability that keeps them from working.
If someone doesn't meet an exemption and they're not working, they can still get SNAP for up to three months in a three-year period before they lose benefits. This can be a great opportunity to talk with them about employment, and the opportunities work can provide.
To learn more about the SNAP program changes visit the Department of Children, Youth and Families' webpage: Changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Time-Limited Work Rules.
Keep Up-to-Date in Impact of Federal Medicaid Changes
As you have heard, the federal government is making several big changes to Medical Assistance (MA) of the next few years.
Nothing has changed yet and most people don't need to do anything right now. However, as benefit planners it's good to be aware of upcoming changes so you can answer questions and help people prepare. The Department of Human Services (DHS) created a Federal Medicaid changes site where you can learn more and track the upcoming changes. You can also share the site with the people you support so they can learn more and track changes themselves. DHS encourages people to keep their contact information up-to-date, watch for renewal notices, and report changes to avoid gaps in coverage.
Some federal changes include:
Starting in October 2026, some noncitizen adults will no longer qualify for MA based on their immigration status.
In January 2027, some adults will need to renew their MA every six months instead of once a year.
In January 2028, federal rules will shorten how far back MA can pay medical bills from the date someone applies. Right now, people can request up to three months of retroactive MA eligibility before their application date. In 2028, most people with disabilities certified by the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) or Social Security will be able to request up to two months retroactive coverage.
Starting in January 2027, some adults may need to meet new federal work requirements to get or keep MA. Many of the people we support are already working, and many won't need to meet the MA work requirements because they get MA based on disability.
DHS has a new temporary online tool, available through August 31, 2026 that helps people find out whether the 2027 MA work requirements are expected to apply to them. It's important to help people understand that federal MA work requirements do not apply to people who:
Get Medical Assistance based on a disability
Are a parent living with their children under age 19
Are 65 or older
Are 20 or younger
Are pregnant
Resources
Disability Hub MN On-demand Presentations
Disability Hub MN has a new video that tells you about the resources for professionals and how can they help you. It's just one of the Hub's new on-demand presentations that highlight the tools, resources and support available from the Hub. You can watch them anytime to learn how to use the Hub to find answers, connect with helpful resources, and get support for yourself and the people you serve. The presentations are also great for staff training, introducing coworkers and community partners to Disability Hub MN, and building confidence in using the Hub. Check them out today!
My Vault
Have you logged into your My Vault account recently? If not, please do it today. We'll soon be disabling My Vault accounts that haven't been used in a more than a year.
Not familiar with My Vault? My Vault is a free tool that can make your job easier by providing tools and activities to help people explore their options, set goals and plan for the future. With My Vault, you and the people you support can plan and share information in a secure way. If you haven't tried My Vault yet - of if it's been a while - now's a great time to check it out!
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