The Appeals Division of the Department of Human Services (DHS) conducts administrative fair hearings for appeals arising out of the broad array of programs administered by DHS. These include cash and food benefit programs, health care programs, social services programs, residential programs and others. Human services judges conduct hearings involving allegations of program fraud. They also conduct hearings on maltreatment determinations made by DHS or local county agencies. In addition, the human services judges conduct hearings involving individuals who were disqualified from working in DHS-licensed facilities. The Appeals Division also conducts hearings for other agencies. Human services judges hear eligibility appeals for the MNsure insurance exchange. They also conduct child maltreatment and vulnerable adult maltreatment and disqualification hearings for the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education.
After the hearing, the human services judges complete recommended decisions that are reviewed by the chief human services judges who are delegates of the commissioner of DHS. The chief judges issue final decisions on behalf of the commissioner, assuring the law is properly interpreted and decisions are consistent with DHS policy.
The main laws about fair hearings are in Minnesota Statutes, sections 256.045 and 256.0451.
The Appeals Division consists of a director, co-chief human services judges, human services judges, paralegals and support staff. The Appeals Division processes approximately 15,000 program appeals each year.
A human services judge conducts a hearing with the parties. For complex matters, the human services judge may hold a prehearing conference before the hearing to narrow the issues and plan for the hearing. The human services judge is an independent decision maker who has not been involved in the decision being appealed. Most hearings are held by telephone, but if requested, may be heard by video conference or in person. During the hearing, the human services judge will listen to the arguments and testimony from both sides, and will review the evidence each side gives the judge. Each side will have the opportunity to ask the other side questions about their testimony and evidence. Efforts are made to get all the information needed to arrive at a fair decision based on the evidence presented and the law.
After the hearing, the human services judge writes a recommended order. The decision will contain findings of fact, relevant law, and analysis/conclusions. After the commissioner of DHS (or the respective agency) reviews and accepts the order, the decision is mailed to the parties. Getting a decision can take up to 60 days from the date the appeal was filed for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) appeals or 90 days from filing for most other appeals. This timeline may be longer due to continuances or the human services judge allowing time for each side to submit and review additional evidence after the hearing. If a party disagrees with the final decision, the party has 30 days from the date of the decision to ask the commissioner to reconsider the decision. The parties also have 30 days from the date of the decision to appeal to the state district court.
Filing an appeal is easy. For most programs, your appeal request must be in writing. These requests can be made by mail, fax or in person to the Appeals Division at the addresses and fax number below. SNAP appeals can also be made verbally by calling the Appeals Division at the telephone numbers listed below. You can also file an appeal online. To appeal online, go to Appeal to State Agency (DHS-0033 — PDF). Do not use the Appeal to State Agency (DHS-0033) form to request reconsideration of a Background Study disqualification. More information can be found on the Request Reconsideration page.
Submit documents, pictures, audio and videos to the DHS Appeals Division for an existing appeal with the Appeal Party Document Submission Form (DHS-8272).
Animated video in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish languages explaining the process for appealing a decision from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
The frequently asked questions about state appeal hearings page has information about the appeals process. More information can also be found in the form Information About State Appeal Hearings (DHS-2811 — PDF).
The online databases below contain collections of appeal decisions with private data and identifying data removed. The databases are available to members of the public interested in seeing how the appeals function has addressed particular issues. You can search by keyword, date, human services judge and docket number.
The Appeals Division also reviews disputes between county human services agencies regarding financial responsibility for human services programs ranging from Medical Assistance to commitment. Procedures, information, forms and contact information is available on the procedures for deciding financial responsibility disputes between counties page.
Human services judges decide issues involving the determination of a payment rate established, or disallowed costs from provider cost reports, for nursing facility rate appeal requests. Providers have 60 days from the date of the published payment rate to file an appeal request. The notice of appeal must specify each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, the total dollar amount in dispute or each separate disallowance, allocation, or adjustment of each cost item or part of a cost item, and the computation that the provider believes is correct. For an appeal item on which the provider disagrees with the appeal determination, the provider may file a written demand for a contested case hearing.
For questions about the appeal process, contact:
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Appeals Division
PO Box 64941
St. Paul, MN 55164-0941
Phone: 651-431-3600
Fax: 651-431-7523
Site address: 444 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-3801
