Grants for Disabled People in Minnesota

Minnesota is the 12th largest state by area and the 22nd most populous state with about 5.7 million residents. Minnesota has a rich history, a vibrant economy and a strong sense of community. It is also home to many disabled people who face various challenges and barriers in their daily lives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 11.9% of Minnesotans have a disability, which is slightly higher than the national average of 10.8%. Fortunately, there are many grants for disabled people in Minnesota.

State Assistance

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is the main agency that provides state assistance for disabled people in Minnesota. DHS offers a variety of programs and services that aim to promote independence, dignity and quality of life for people with disabilities. For more information, visit https://www.minnesotahelp.info/Providers/Minnesota_Department_of_Human_Services_DHS/Long_Term_Services_and_Supports_for_People_with_Disabilities/.

Health Assistance

MinnesotaCare is a healthcare program that pays for medical services for disabled people who do not qualify for Medical Assistance or other public healthcare programs. MinnesotaCare covers a similar range of services as Medical Assistance but has different eligibility criteria and cost-sharing requirements. MinnesotaCare is funded by a state tax on health care providers and a federal matching grant. For further information, visit https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve.

The Minnesota Family Planning Program is funded by a federal grant and a state match. The program pays for family planning services and supplies for disabled people in Minnesota who do not qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. To learn more, visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/womeninfants/familyplanning/index.html.

Social Security

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides a monthly payment to people who are disabled and have limited income and resources. The funds can be used for basic needs like food, clothing, shelter or utilities. The payment amount is determined by the federal government and may be supplemented by the state. To see more information, please follow the link: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11000.pdf. 

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offers a monthly payment to people who are disabled and have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain period. The payment amount is based on the earnings record of the worker. SSDI also provides Medicare coverage after a 24-month waiting period. Find out more information at https://www.healthcare.gov/people-with-disabilities/ssdi-and-medicare/.

Financial Assistance

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offers cash assistance to families with children who have low income and meet certain work and other requirements. TANF is funded by a federal block grant and a state match. For more information, visit https://www.hhs.gov/. 

The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) is a cash and food assistance program that helps low-income families with children. The meal consists of a cash portion and a food portion. The food portion can be used to purchase food items. The payment amount and duration vary depending on the family size and situation.  Read more at https://dcyf.mn.gov/programs-directory/minnesota-family-investment-program-mfip.

Housing and Rent Assistance

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is a rental assistance program that provides vouchers to disabled people who rent housing in the private market. The vouchers cover the difference between the rent charged by the landlord and the amount the tenant can afford to pay. For further information, visit https://mn.db101.org/mn/programs/income_support/housing/.

Public Housing is another rental assistance program that offers housing units to disabled individuals who rent housing owned and operated by PHAs. The PHA receives funding from HUD to operate and maintain the units. To learn more, visit https://www.usa.gov/public-housing.

Utility Bill Assistance

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provides financial assistance to disabled people to help them pay for their heating or cooling bills. The grant amount is based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage. To see more information, visit https://www.mnvac.org/programs/energy/energy-assistance-eap-2/.

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free home energy audits and improvements to disabled individuals in Minnesota. The improvements may include insulation, air sealing, furnace repair or replacement, water heater repair or replacement or other energy-saving measures. Read more at, https://mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumer-assistance/wap/.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that offers funding to states to administer EAP and WAP. LIHEAP also provides emergency assistance to households that are facing a crisis, such as a utility shut-off, a broken furnace or a fuel shortage. LIHEAP is funded by HHS. To learn more, visit https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/profiles/Minn.htm.

Charitable Assistance Programs

The Salvation Army operates several centers and facilities in Minnesota. They offer special programs for people with disabilities. These programs include camps, recreation and education. For more information, visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/. 

Catholic Charities provides specific programs for disabled people, such as independent living, employment and respite care. Catholic Charities is funded by donations, grants and fees. For further information, visit https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/. 

United Way is a nonprofit organization that supports and coordinates a network of local agencies and programs that address the needs and issues of the community. United Way also supports specific programs for disabled people. These include disability services, advocacy and inclusion. To learn more, visit https://www.unitedway.org/. 

Food and Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a food assistance program that offers electronic benefits to disabled people. The benefits are loaded on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. The benefit amount is based on the household size, income and expenses. To see more information, visit https://snap.umn.edu/.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a food and nutrition program that provides vouchers, education and referrals to disabled women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum and their children up to age five. More information is available at https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/index.html.

Transportation Assistance

is a public transportation service that offers door-to-door rides to disabled individuals who are unable to use regular buses or trains. The service operates seven days a week, from early morning to late night, in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. For more information, visit https://pts.umn.edu/Transit/Transit-Services/Metro-Mobility.

Transit Link provides dial-a-ride rides to people who live or work in areas that are not served by regular buses or trains. The service operates Monday to Friday, from early morning to late evening, in the seven-county metropolitan area and some outlying counties. To see more information, visit https://www.transitlink.com.sg/. 

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid is a nonprofit organization that provides civil legal services to disabled people who have legal problems that affect their basic needs, such as housing, health, safety, income or family. Legal Aid provides services such as advice, representation, education and advocacy. For further information, visit https://mylegalaid.org/. 

Disability Law Center is another nonprofit organization that provides legal services to people with disabilities in Minnesota who have legal problems that affect their civil rights, such as discrimination, abuse, neglect or access. The Disability Law Center operates as part of Legal Aid and serves the entire state of Minnesota. To learn more, visit https://mylegalaid.org/disability-law-center/.

Clothing Assistance

Goodwill provides employment and training services to people who face barriers to work, like disabilities, lack of skills or criminal backgrounds. Goodwill operates several stores and donation centers in Minnesota, where it sells donated clothing and other items at affordable prices. Read more at https://www.goodwill.org/. 

The Arc offers advocacy and support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc operates several thrift stores and donation centers in Minnesota, where it sells donated clothing and other items at low prices. For more information, visit https://thearc.org/. 

Business Support for Disabled People

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) is a state agency that provides employment and training services to disabled people who want to work. The assistance may include feasibility studies, business plans, marketing, accounting, legal or technical assistance. To learn more, visit https://www.careerforcemn.com/programs-services/vocational-rehabilitation-services-program.

The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) is a federal program that offers grants to states to improve the employment outcomes of people with disabilities. The program operates as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which is a federal law that provides funding and guidance for workforce development programs and services. DEI provides funding and technical assistance to local workforce development agencies and partners, such as VRS, to enhance their capacity and coordination to serve people with disabilities. For more information, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/disability-employment-initiative. 

Assistance for Disabled Veterans

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) provides advocacy and assistance to disabled veterans and their families. AV also offers specific programs for disabled veterans. To learn more, visit https://www.dav.org/. 

Assistance for Disabled Seniors

Senior LinkAge Line is a free and confidential service that provides information, assistance and referrals to disabled seniors and their caregivers. The service operates a toll-free phone line, a website and a network of local offices and partners across the state. Senior LinkAge Line provides services such as health insurance counseling, long-term care options counseling, caregiver support and fraud prevention. The service also provides information and referrals to various programs and resources for disabled seniors. For further information, visit https://trellisconnects.org/senior-linkage-line/.