Where this sits: Benefits › Programs › MSA. Related: General Assistance, Housing Support, child support in GA, MSA and Housing Support.
Ask first
Is the person under 65, and do rent and utilities take more than 40% of their income (for MSA Housing Assistance)? Do they have a special diet, a guardian or conservator, or a representative payee?
Also: are they on SSI now, and do they live alone or with others?
What MSA pays
MSA is a state-funded monthly cash payment for SSI recipients, blind people, people 65 or older, and disabled adults. It pays the person's MSA standard, plus any special needs, minus their income. For someone on SSI, the income counted is the SSI federal benefit rate minus $20.
| 2026 MSA standard | Per month |
|---|---|
| Person living alone | $1,055.00 |
| Person living with others | $755.33 |
| Married couple living alone | $1,582.00 |
| Married couple living with others | $1,058.00 |
The living-alone standard also applies to people eligible for a home and community-based services waiver, people who meet county plan requirements for Housing Support placement, and people getting MSA Housing Assistance. Counties may pay more at their own cost.
Example: with the 2026 SSI rate of $994 for one person in their own home, a single SSI recipient living alone with no special needs gets $1,055 - ($994 - $20) = $81 a month from MSA.
Extra amounts: special needs payments for special diets, guardian or conservator fees and representative payee services, and separately for home repairs or furniture and appliances (usually county-approved). People in Housing Support, nursing homes or regional treatment centers get none of these except representative payee services. MSA Housing Assistance adds $497 a month for people under 65 whose housing costs are more than 40% of their income and who meet a condition such as moving out of an institution, being eligible for Community First Services and Supports, or getting MA waiver services in their own home. People with rental assistance or in subsidized housing can't get it.
Who qualifies
- On SSI, or eligible for SSI except for income, and 65 or older (or turning 65 in the application month), blind, or 18 or older and disabled. A person doesn't need to have had SSI before. Age, blindness and disability must be verified.
- Assets: for SSI recipients, Social Security decides; others follow GA's $10,000 limit. Nursing home residents whose care MA pays use MA's asset rules.
How to apply
Apply online at MNbenefits or with the Combined Application Form (CAF, DHS-5223) at the county or Tribal agency.
How it fits with other programs
- SNAP: a household where everyone gets MSA, GA or SSI is categorically eligible for SNAP.
- Emergencies: people applying for or getting SSI or MSA can apply for Emergency General Assistance. There is no longer an Emergency MSA program (defunded in 2011).
- Housing Support: see the special needs limits and living-alone standard above.
Not covered here
SSI itself, special needs in detail, MSA and MA, and MSA rules for noncitizens. No MSA change for 2025-2027 was found.