Social Security Advocacy Services: Policies and procedures for contracted grantees

• The agencies listed in this directory are contracted with DHS to provide free Social Security Advocacy Services. 
• A county or tribal nation human services office is the first place to contact for access for most public assistance benefits in Minnesota. Residents can also apply online at MNBenefits.

• Payment for successful federal district court outcomes (PDF)
• Sending secure emails (PDF)
• New procedure for unencrypted email violations (PDF) 

• Minnesota law requires that certain applicants of the General Assistance program apply for other maintenance benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or SSI as described in 256D.06 subdivision 5.
• The commissioner of human services shall contract with agencies to help clients apply for the Supplemental Security Income program as described in 256D.06 subdivision 7.
• Minnesota law regulates fees an entity may charge when an individual or their representative(s) requests medical records for the purpose of appealing a Social Security disability benefit as described in Patient Rights statute 144.292 subdivision 6(d)

Year 2022 

• January/February (PDF)
• March/April (PDF)
• May/June (PDF)
• July/August (PDF)
• September/October (PDF)
• November/December (PDF)

Year 2023

• January/February (PDF)
• March/April (PDF)
• May/June (PDF)
• July/August (PDF)
• September/October (PDF)
• November/December (PDF)

• Eligibility to apply for Social Security disability benefits (PDF)
• Social Security Advocacy Services eligibility criteria (PDF)
• How to access and reply to DHS’ encrypted email

Minnesota Social Security Administration (SSA) Directory

• This directory is a list of all the Minnesota SSA field office contact information. 

Social Security Administration important websites

• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
• Compassionate Allowances
• Disability Evaluations (blue book)
• Emergency Messages
• Hearings, Appeals, and Litigation Law Manual (Hallex)
• My Social Security
• Program Operations Manual System (POMS)
• Social Security Acquiescence Rulings (SSR)
• Social Security Forms
• Social Security Office Locator
• Social Security Online Services
• SSI cost-of-living adjustments

Minnesota conferences and events

• Minnesota Age and Disabilities Odyssey Conference 
• Minnesota Financial Worker and Case Aide Association (MFWCAA)
• Minnesota Social Services Association (MSSA)
• Saint Louis County Health and Human Services Conference

Social Security advocate organizations

• Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
• National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR)
• National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)
• SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)

For Advocates and their clients 

• ARC Minnesota
• Disability Hub MN
• LinkVet Support
• Minnesota Able Plan
• Minnesota Disability Benefits (DB101)
• Minnesota Disability Law Center
• Minnesota’s Housing Benefits (HB101)
• MNBenefits
• Public Benefits: A Bridge for People with Disabilities (YouTube)
• Social Security Advocacy Services public website

• SSAS payment system
• Managing your account information tip sheet
• Payment system reports tip sheet
• Invoice status code tip sheet
• Closing out a case tip sheet