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DB101
Disability Benefits 101 gives you tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.
HB101
Housing Benefits 101: Explore your housing options. Discover what works for you. Make a plan to get there.

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- Top Topics
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  - Housing
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  - Independence
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- Your Options
  - Health
    - Health coverage options
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  - Housing
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  - Independence
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  - Money
    - Ways to get more money
      - Work
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    - Youth and money
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    - How the Hub can help
  - Work
    - Exploring work options
    - Work and benefits
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    - Youth and work
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    - How the Hub can help
- Hub Tools
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    - Disability Benefits 101
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    - My Vault
      - My Vault: Planning for my best life
      - My Vault: Planning for work
      - My Vault: Planning for benefits
      - My Vault: Planning for housing
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  - Activities and guides
    - Charting the LifeCourse™
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- For Families
  - Parent and family supports
    - Key supports
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  - Charting the LifeCourse for families
    - Framework
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    - Life domains
    - Life stages
  - Events for families
  - Pregnancy and infancy
    - Key supports
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  - Early childhood
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  - School age
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  - Transition to adulthood
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  - Aging
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- For Professionals
  - Informed Choice
    - The informed choice standard
    - Supported decision making
      - Understanding supported decision making
      - How to get started
      - Video series: Guide to supported decision making
    - Resources and tools
  - Benefits Planning
    - Get ready
      - Reflect: Self-assessment
      - The importance of benefits planning
      - Roles and responsibilities
      - The training levels
      - How to talk about work and benefits
      - Agency strategies
    - Level 1 training: The basics
    - Level 2 training: Go deeper
      - SSDI
      - SSI
      - MSA
      - GA
      - Housing Support
      - SNAP
      - MFIP and DWP
      - MA
      - Medicare
      - Orientation to DB101
      - Orientation to My Vault
    - Level 3 training: Benefits coach
      - Benefits coach certification
      - For supervisors
      - Benefits coach certification requirements
    - My Vault: Benefits planning activities
    - Resources and tools
    - Join the learning community
    - Apply to become a benefits coach
    - Benefits and Work Conversations In Action — Increasing confidence for all professionals
    - SSI work incentives
    - SSDI work incentives
  - Work
    - Prepare yourself
      - Get ready
        
        Reflect: Self-assessment
        
        Reflect: Agency assessment
        
        Strategize: Work is a solution
        
        Believe: Success stories
        
        FAQs about work
        
        How to have engaging conversations about work
      - The basics
        
        Best practices
        
        Policy
        
        Work options
        
        Supports
        
        Services
        
        Minnesota's CareerForce system
        
        HCBS waiver
        
        Mental health
        
        Economic support
        
        Ticket to Work
        
        Guide to waivers
        
        What are waivers?
        
        FAQs from VRS/SSB and schools
    - Supporting people
      - Not working, wants to work
      - Not working, has concerns
      - Working
    - Supporting people on waivers
      - The Engage Plan Find Keep framework
        
        Engage
        
        Plan
        
        Find
        
        Keep
      - Roles and responsibilities
    - E1MN training
      - Basic training for all roles
        
        Implement Employment First
        
        Ensure informed choice
        
        Use the Engage Plan Find Keep framework
        
        Fulfill roles, responsibilities and collaboration
        
        Guidance for supervisors
      - Waiver case managers
        
        Self-assessment
        
        Connect the person to waiver employment services
        
        Coordinate services
        
        Monitor waiver employment services
        
        Collaborating with other professionals
        
        Guidance for supervisors
      - VRS/SSB staff
        
        Self-assessment
        
        Coordinate employment services
        
        Complete the intake and eligibility process
        
        Help the person develop an employment plan and goal
        
        Provide initial job supports and communicate with the waiver case manager when the person gets a job
        
        Organize and participate in meetings to coordinate services
        
        Collaborating with other professionals
        
        Guidance for supervisors
      - Waiver employment service providers
        
        Self-assessment
        
        Deliver services outlined in the waiver support plan
        
        Provide activities and experiences to explore employment
        
        Document the person’s choice to work or not
        
        Provide services to plan or search for employment
        
        Create an employment portfolio
        
        Provide ongoing supports to maintain employment
        
        Collaborating with other professionals
        
        Guidance for supervisors
      - VRS/SSB job placement providers
        
        Self-assessment
        
        Create a job placement plan with the person and the VRS/SSB counselor
        
        Promote business engagement and help the person find employment
        
        Deliver initial job supports
        
        Collaborating with other professionals
        
        Guidance for supervisors
    - Tools and resources
      - Hands-on tools
      - Professional resources
    - E1MN partnership
      - Overview
      - Frequently asked questions
      - Collaboration
      - Communications
      - Training archive
  - Housing
    - Get ready
      - Reflect: Self-assessment
      - Strategize: Making housing decisions
      - Believe: Success stories
    - The basics
      - Policy
      - Roles and responsibilities
      - Services and supports
    - Overcoming barriers
      - Experiencing homelessness
      - Denied housing
    - Moving into an integrated setting
    - Modifications and accommodations
    - Resources and tools
  - Youth in Transition
    - Minnesota’s Youth in Transition Framework
      - About the Framework
      - Key elements of the Framework
        
        Guiding principles
        
        Learning expectations
        
        Shared practices
      - Youth outcome goals
      - Action steps for leadership and staff
        
        Staff
        
        Leadership
      - Resources to activate you and your teams
        
        Planning tools
        
        Communications kit
        
        Success stories
        
        Quick links
    - Educate yourself
      - The youth planning process
      - The basics
        
        Plans
        
        Policies
        
        Programs
        
        School programs
        
        VR programs
        
        Waiver programs
        
        Transition services
        
        Roles
      - Professional resources
      - Hands-on tools
      - E1MN partnership
    - Engage families
      - Get ready
      - Reach families
        
        Outreach
        
        Communication
      - Educate families
        
        The transition process
        
        The family’s role
        
        Person-centered planning
        
        Core principles
        
        Charting the LifeCourse
        
        Resources and supports
        
        Common concerns
        
        Decision making at 18
        
        Benefits planning
        
        Safety
      - Activate families
        
        Using a lifespan approach
        
        Setting high expectations
        
        Envisioning a best life
        
        Building responsibility and skills
        
        Supporting in(ter)dependent living
        
        Preparing for employment
        
        Planning for postsecondary education and training
    - Support youth
      - My best life
        
        Overview and key curriculum
        
        Self-awareness
        
        Developing a vision
        
        Advocating for a best life
        
        Core advocacy concepts
        
        Disability awareness
        
        Disability rights
        
        Mentoring experiences
        
        Leadership experiences
        
        Planning for a best life
      - In(ter)dependent living
        
        Overview and key curriculum
        
        Daily life
        
        Managing your home
        
        Nutrition and meal preparation
        
        Clothing care
        
        Managing appointments
        
        Managing mail and deliveries
        
        Telephone use and etiquette
        
        Digital literacy
        
        Community living
        
        Transportation
        
        Home
        
        Money
        
        Money management
        
        Income sources
        
        Healthy living
        
        Well-being
        
        Health care benefits
        
        Relationships and sexuality
        
        Parenting skills
        
        Safety
        
        Recreation
        
        Advocacy and supports
        
        Decision making
        
        Civic responsibility
        
        Assistive technology
        
        Services and supports
        
        Self-advocacy
      - Employment
        
        Overview and key curriculum
        
        Career exploration
        
        Gain self-awareness
        
        Explore occupations and career possibilities
        
        Work-based learning
        
        Benefits planning
        
        The job process
        
        Find available jobs
        
        Develop interview skills
        
        Understand the application process
        
        How to advance in a job
        
        How to leave a job
        
        Skills for success
        
        Understand work ethics
        
        Demonstrate appropriate hygiene, grooming and workplace dress
        
        Build interpersonal skills
        
        Build communication skills
        
        Build job readiness skills
        
        Advocacy and supports
        
        Self-advocacy in the workplace
        
        Disclosing a disability
        
        Accommodations and assistive technology
        
        Employment services and supports
      - Postsecondary education and training
        
        Overview and key curriculum
        
        Postsecondary options
        
        Campus visits
        
        Enrollment
        
        Enrollment requirements
        
        Entrance exams
        
        Applications
        
        Essays and resumes
        
        Financial aid
        
        Skills for success
        
        Practical learning strategies
        
        Differences between high school and postsecondary education and training
        
        Advocacy and supports
        
        Self-advocacy in postsecondary education and training
        
        Accommodations and assistive technology
        
        On-campus supports
        
        Rights and responsibilities
        
        Other postsecondary education and training services and supports
  - E1MN Youth Outcomes Dashboard
  - Hub Materials
  - Request Hub materials
  - Hub event request
  - Using My Vault to support people
  - Youth in Transition classroom curriculum
- Stay Connected
- Benefits Planning Network Sign-Up
- News
  - Benefits Planning Learning Community Newsletter - August 2024
  - Benefits Planning Learning Community Newsletter - February 2025
  - MA under the TEFRA option parent fees ending
  - E1MN Newsletter - January 2024
  - E1MN Newsletter - March 2024
  - Benefits Planning Learning Community - April 2024
  - Get to know ABLE accounts
  - Level 3 Benefit Coach Training
  - E1MN: Self-paced training now available
  - VIP outcomes: 2023
  - Spring 2023 training opportunity: Minnesota Customized Employment (MN-CE)
  - E1MN Youth regional collaboration: Southwest/West Central MN
  - A chance to play: History of adapted high school athletics in Minnesota
  - Share your story - Support
  - Disability Viewpoints
  - Share your story - Proud
  - VIP outcomes: 2022
  - Employment First eList: December 2021
  - Employment First eList: November 2021
  - VIP outcomes: 2021
  - E1MN partnership
  - A community of practice for pediatric care
  - How could $500 change your family member's life?
  - Free currency reader
  - Meet Karli
  - VIP outcomes: 2020
  - VIP outcomes: 2018
  - VIP outcomes: 2019
  - Minnesotans have new option for access to affordable insulin
  - Benefits Planning Learning Community - June 2024
  - VIP outcomes: 2024
  - Benefits Planning Learning Community Newsletter - October 2024
  - Benefits Planning Learning Community Newsletter - May 2025
- Hub Videos
  - TK’s story: Turning a love for helping people into a successful and meaningful life
  - Riss’s story: Trying new things and taking new opportunities
  - Mitchell’s story: On-campus support helps find a career that is just the right fit
  - Michael W.’s story: A passion for the performing arts and a 'can do' spirit
  - Michael G.’s story: Exploring interests and advocating for himself
  - Kevin’s story: A love of learning leads to a career as a systems engineer
  - José-Daniel’s story: Achieving a dream job in the railroad industry
  - Joe’s story: On the road to living independently
  - Hannah’s story: Reaching goals after high school: college, employment and living independently
  - Ethan’s story: Becoming a software engineer and other personal achievements
  - Dupree’s story: A job teaching others in the creative arts
  - Camilo’s story: Turning a passion for cooking into a ‘beautiful life’
  - Bailey’s story: Opportunities to figure out what's best for him
  - Andrew’s story: A career where he is making a difference
  - Services and supports in the journey to adulthood
  - Developing self-advocacy skills
  - Accessing postsecondary education and training options
  - Finding competitive enjoyable employment
  - Living as independently as possible
  - Minnesota Housing Support Settings
  - Minnesota Housing Support and Work
  - Minnesota Housing Support
  - SSDI Work Incentives
  - SSDI and Planning for Work
  - SSI and Youth Who Work
  - SSI and Work
  - My Vault: Benefits Planning Path
  - Welcome to My Vault
  - What is SSDI?
  - My Vault: Housing Paths
  - Introducing Disability Hub MN
  - Introducing Minnesota’s Youth in Transition Framework
  - Contacting the Hub
  - Chatting with the Hub
  - Calling the Hub
  - Assistive Technology: Live life your way
  - Decision making: Introduction to supported decision making
  - Decision making: Supported decision making
  - My Vault: Work Path
  - Benefits and Work Conversations in Action—Increasing confidence for all professionals
  - Decision making: Supported decision making for families
  - Decision making: Conservatorship
  - Decision making: Guardianship
  - Moving ahead with Minnesota benefits
  - MA-EPD Awareness
  - What is SSI?
  - MSA Housing Assistance
  - Bloomington school district success story: Transition planning works better together
  - About the Hub
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