Housing Support is a program for people with disabilities and older adults who have low income. It helps pay for housing and things people need to stay housed in certain group settings or in the community.

Housing Support may also help pay for additional services to help you with stable housing, employment, or health needs you may have if you are not eligible for personal care assistance (PCA) services through Medical Assistance (MA) or MA-Waiver programs.

For Housing Support, you need three things:

1. You must be eligible for the program
2. You must have a Housing Support provider who is eligible and has a written agreement with the county or tribe, and
3. You must have a place to live that is eligible for Housing Support.

Note: Sometimes, a Housing Support provider may also be the landlord. This is most common with Supportive Housing for people who have experienced long-term homelessness.

People who either get General Assistance (GA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically meet the income and asset limits. Disability Benefits 101 has detailed information about qualifying for Housing Support.

Housing Settings Where Housing Support May Help

To get Housing Support benefits, you must live in certain housing settings that have been approved for Housing Support. These are the most common settings where people may get Housing Support:

• Adult Foster Care (AFC). Housing where one to five people with disabilities and older adults each live in their own bedrooms and get some services from an on-site caregiver.
• Assisted Living Facilities. A licensed facility for residents that also provides assisted living services. Most residents are older adults, but can also include adults with disabilities.
• Board and Lodge. Housing where five or more people live in their own or shared bedrooms, and have other common shared spaces.
• Supportive Housing. Independent apartment units or shared housing where residents have their own rental leases, have the option to prepare their own food, and get supportive services, like getting a unit set up with furniture and household supplies, employment services, or health-related services, like help to prepare and administer medications. Supportive Housing could have several units in one location or could be scattered throughout the community in individual units. Most Supportive Housing programs are for people who have experienced long-term homelessness.

There are many different names for the types of housing locations that may be allowed for Housing Support. If you are not sure if Housing Support might help you pay for your room and board, check with your county or tribal human services office.

Note: Some people prefer to get more income directly to help pay for living expenses, instead of through a housing provider or structured program. If you live in your own place, you can also arrange to get services there. Benefits like Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) Housing Assistance and Section 8 may help you if you live in your own home or apartment.

Application

You can apply for Housing Support online using MNbenefits. You can also fill out the Combined Application Form and turn it in to your county or tribal human services office.

When you fill out your application, try to note that you are requesting Housing Support and put down the name, address, and telephone number of the location where you plan to live. If you already know a Housing Support provider, the provider may be able to help you with your application.

If you do not mention you are applying for Housing Support, the county may not check if you are eligible. If you do not know where you plan to live, call your local county or tribal human services office to find out which agencies provide Housing Support in your area.

After you submit your application, you should be contacted shortly by the county to set up an interview if they think you might qualify for Housing Support.

Note: If you are experiencing homelessness, you may also be referred to Housing Support by the Coordinated Entry system.

Get Help

To learn more about Housing Support:

• Contact your local county or tribal human services office
• Chat with a Hub expert
• Call the Senior LinkAge Line® (SLL) at 1-800-333-2433
• Read about eligibility on Disability Benefits 101

Videos

Watch these videos to get an introduction to Housing Support:

PLbTj80ssqpgeNRAvq0YjISSA2_8wrGTS9