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Resources and tools

Benefit Coach materials
Templates, resources and tools used for Benefit Coaching services

• Benefit Reports Templates and Instructions: Path 1 and 2 are for individuals that do not need a Benefits Summary and Analysis (BSA). Path 3 is for individuals that do need a BSA.
  • Benefit Report Template - Path 1 and 2
  • Benefit Report Instructions - Path 1 and 2
  • Benefit Report Template - Path 3
  • Benefit Report Instructions - Path 3

• General Consent/Authorization for Release of Information (Minnesota Department of Human Services): Release of information required to get a Benefits Lookup from the state of Minnesota.

• Authorization for Release and Exchange of Information (Disability Hub MN): Release of information required to speak to the Disability Hub MN about a person's case.

• Consent for Release of Information - SSA 3288: Release of information required to get a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and needed to speak to Social Security on behalf of someone.

• Request for Social Security Statement - SSA 7004: Formal request an individual can make on behalf of themselves to get their Social Security Statement. You, as a Benefit Coach, cannot request this for the person you are working with. This would be used if you are unable to verify wages another way.

Disability Hub MN
Experts, trainings and a learning community for support

The Hub is a free statewide resource network that helps people with disabilities and the professionals who support them, understand options, discover solutions, navigate the system and plan for the future.

A staff of experts
In addition to the trainings and benefits coach certification available in this toolkit, the Hub has trained benefits experts statewide who can help people understand how work and benefits work together. Contact us for answers to specific benefits questions or to learn about helpful tools and resources.

Benefits planning learning community
Join the Hub's benefits planning learning community to stay engaged, learn from others, and get regular updates on policies and practices.

Disability Benefits 101
In-depth information, estimators and "try-it" tools

Disability Benefits 101, or DB101, offers a quick, easy and safe way to learn how work and benefits can go together to increase income and plan for the future. Whether the people you support are considering work for the first time, returning to work, changing jobs or expecting a raise, you can use DB101 to:

• Learn more about work incentives, benefits and resources
• See what other benefits might be an option
• Explore work
• See how benefits and income might change with a job
• Set work goals and plan next steps
• Plan for changes at work

For a comprehensive orientation to DB101, see the level 2 training.

DB101 FAQs

 

What is DB101?
DB101 is a benefits and work-planning website that offers a quick, easy, safe way to learn how work and benefits can go together to increase income. It's free and private. Using DB101 doesn't affect a person's benefits.

Who should use DB101?
DB101 is designed for Minnesotans with disabilities ages 13 to 64 and their families, caregivers and service providers.

What can DB101 do for someone?
DB101 gives people the tools, facts and resources needed to safely explore their options, plan for the future and reach their goals. DB101 offers:

• Facts on benefit and work incentive programs
• Tools for setting work goals and managing benefits
• Stories that show how to balance benefits and work
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• A "talk to an expert" feature
• Online tutorials, tip sheets and guides
• Links to helpful resources

What if someone needs help while using DB101?
DB101's "Talk to an Expert" feature is available by live chat, phone or email.

When would someone use DB101?
Whether someone is thinking about working for the first time, returning to work, changing jobs or expecting a raise, DB101 is the safe, private way to:

• Learn more about work incentives, benefits and resources
• Explore work as an option
• See how benefits and income might change with a job
• Set work goals and plan next steps
• Prepare for job changes

If someone isn't interested in working, why would they use DB101?
Even if someone isn't ready to work today, DB101 offers information that can help the person:

• Learn more about current benefits
• See other potential benefits
• Explore whether they might want to work someday
• Plan for the right job at the right time

Estimators

• Benefits and work estimator plus getting started worksheets for SSI and SSDI
• School and work estimator
• MA-EPD estimator
• How to complete a DB101 estimator session (PDF)

"Try-it" tools

Disability Benefits 101 "try-it" tools are simple calculators that help people think about one benefit, or one aspect of a benefit, at a time. "Try-it" tools include:

Health coverage

• Your countable income
• Finding the right coverage for you  
• Health coverage income limits for your family
• Your MA-EPD premium estimate

Work

• Estimate your impairment-related work expenses
• Which work incentives can help me?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

• Count your SSDI trial work months
• SSDI and work try-it tool

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Your SSI benefit calculation
• Your countable earned income (with Student Earned Income Exclusion) 
• SSI and work try-it tool

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)

• Your MSA grant calculation with SSI
• Your MSA grant calculation without SSI

Housing support 

• Your monthly income (housing support with SSI benefits)
• Your monthly income (housing support without SSI benefits)

Applications
PDF and online application forms

• To apply for Medical Assistance if you have a disability, use the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Certain Populations (PDF).
• Use the Combined Application Form (PDF) to apply for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), the Diversionary Work Program (DWP), General Assistance (GA), Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA), Housing Support, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA).
• Visit Social Security disability benefits to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or start the application process for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Visit Social Security Medicare benefits to apply for Medicare.
• Apply for benefits easily online with MNbenefits.mn.gov. Finish an application in 20 minutes or less.

Fact sheets and resource guides
Downloadable PDFs and other quick references

Benefits

• Check out a quick list of SSI work incentives and SSDI work incentives.
• Review the Red Book, a guide to work incentives.
• Browse disability publications from Social Security.
• Get help applying for Social Security disability benefits from SOAR providers.

Work

• Use FAQs about work to prepare for common questions about employment.
• Get tips on how to have engaging conversations about employment (PDF).
• Use the build your dream activity (PDF) to talk about monthly budgets and ways to pay the bills.
• Review research-based best practices in employment.

Benefits videos
Short videos about benefits and work

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Benefits videos

What is SSI? »

Benefits videos

SSI and Work »

Benefits videos

SSI and Youth Who Work »

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Benefits videos

What is SSDI? »

Benefits videos

SSDI and Planning for Work »

Benefits videos

SSDI Work Incentives »

Housing Support

Benefits videos

Minnesota Housing Support »

Benefits videos

Minnesota Housing Support and Work »

Benefits videos

Minnesota Housing Support Settings »

Other benefits

Benefits videos

Moving ahead with Minnesota benefits »

Benefits videos

MSA Housing Assistance »

Benefits videos

MA-EPD Awareness »

Conversations in action video
Ways to support people in conversations about benefits and work

For all professionals:

Benefits and Work Conversations in Action