Minnesota grants
& benefits: MinnesotaCare premiums, the M1PR refund and the 2027 Medical Assistance rules.

MinnesotaCare is paid for by a state tax on hospitals and health care providers, federal Basic Health Program funding and enrollee premiums. It has higher income limits than Medical Assistance, no asset limit and no deductible. Most people apply online through MNsure.

On the 2026 premium table, a household under 35% of poverty owes $0 per enrollee, and the charge climbs in steps to $80 at the 200% row, where a single adult earns $31,300 a year. Anyone under 21 owes nothing, nor do American Indians, Alaska Natives and their families.

Copays are set amounts: $28 for an office visit, $10 for a generic drug or $25 for a brand-name one with a $70 monthly cap, and $100 for the ER unless you are admitted. Preventive checkups, dental visits and outpatient surgery cost $0.

A change in state law ended MinnesotaCare for adults 18 and older who have not shown an immigration status at the end of the day on December 31, 2025. Kids under 18 keep their coverage whatever their status, and pregnancy coverage under Medical Assistance does not depend on status either.

KFF's tracker lists Minnesota's Medicaid expansion as starting January 1, 2014. Federal budget law changes now arrive in stages. On October 1, 2026, refugees, asylees and some humanitarian parolees 21 and up who are not pregnant lost eligibility; lawful permanent residents who have waited five years remain covered.

The 2027 rule reaches enrollees 21 to 64 who have no child under 19 living with them, are not pregnant and are not covered on the basis of a disability. Each needs a month with 80 combined hours of a job, volunteering or a work program, half-time school, or $580 in income, and will renew every six months.

Minnesota is using state money to keep three months of retroactive coverage through 2027, so the federal cut to back coverage reaches applicants on January 1, 2028. DHS lists several ways out of the hours rule, including:

• Being an American Indian or Alaska Native enrollee
• Living in a SNAP household and being subject to SNAP work rules
• Meeting the work rules of MFIP, Minnesota's family cash program
• Taking part in drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation
• Being medically frail, with a serious, complex or chronic condition
• Caring for a family member with a disability
• Being a veteran whose disability is rated total
• Being 21 to 25 and having been in foster care at 18

Medical Assistance follows federal Medicaid law, summarized in our Medicaid program guide.

Homeowners claim the Homestead Credit Refund on Form M1PR. The regular refund needs 2025 household income under $142,490 and ownership of the home you lived in on January 2, 2026. A special refund applies when net tax on the same home rose more than 12% and at least $100, not from your own improvements.

A 2026 tax bill raised 2025 homeowner refunds by nearly 15% one time, and Revenue adds the increase automatically to claims filed before July 15, 2026. The M1PR is due August 15, yet Revenue accepts it up to a year later, so 2025 claims can be filed until August 16, 2027.

Renters no longer file the M1PR. The Renter's Credit now goes on the Form M1 income tax return with Schedule M1RENT, and because it is refundable it can pay out even when you owe nothing. The largest credit is $2,720, and you qualify only with household income below $77,570.

Landlords must give tenants a Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) by January 31. If yours is missing or wrong, Revenue can issue a Rent Paid Affidavit from February 1; request it at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094.

Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program spends federal LIHEAP money, and Commerce hands the casework to local service providers listed by county or Tribal government. Renters and homeowners can both qualify, and the check is sent to the energy company or the propane, oil or wood dealer.

During federal fiscal year 2027, gross household income in the month before you sign cannot pass $3,205 when you live alone, $4,191 for a pair, or $6,164 for four people. First grants average $550 and can reach $1,400. Applications are handled in the order received, so filing early helps.

A disconnect notice, a nearly empty fuel tank or service already shut off can bring up to $600 more in crisis help. Call your local provider right away; 1-800-657-3710 will point you to the right one.

Where the money comes from, and how other states spend it, is in our LIHEAP program guide.

Subsistence Assistance helps a veteran, or a surviving spouse who has not remarried, who is disabled and cannot do their usual job for at least 30 days. It can cover rent or mortgage, utilities including phone and internet, health insurance premiums and a personal needs cash grant.

Income lowers the award dollar for dollar, and savings or other assets past $10,000 for a single applicant, or $18,000 with family, rule it out. Help comes in 30-day periods, up to six. Applications go through your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO), and LinkVet answers questions at 1-888-546-5838.

For property tax, a homestead owned by a veteran with a 70% or higher service-connected rating can have $150,000 of market value excluded, and $300,000 at a 100% permanent and total rating. Surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation can get $300,000. Apply to the county assessor by December 31.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families runs SNAP and the Minnesota EBT card. Apply online at MNbenefits, or ask MNFoodHelper for help with the application. DCYF warns that it will not contact you about your EBT card by text or phone.

We cover the SNAP income tables, when benefits land each month and the paper form on their own page and keep this hub short.

Eligibility math and county office details live in our Minnesota food stamps guide.