Shorter renewal form streamlines paperwork for many clients

Starting this month, DHS is implementing a shorter renewal form for some clients to renew benefits for multiple programs. Some seniors and people with disabilities will now use the Combined Annual Renewal for Certain Populations (PDF) to renew Medical Assistance (MA) including MA payment of long-term care services, Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (MSA), Group Residential Housing (GRH), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or a combination of these programs.

The shorter form will be sent to households of one or a married couple, where each person is age 18 or older and only has Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or SSI and Social Security (RSDI) income. Approximately 4,000 people a month are expected to use the form.

The statewide implementation was directed by the 2011 Legislature. This shortened form results from a previous legislative directive for DHS to support a pilot project in Hennepin County to demonstrate the effectiveness of the simplified renewal process. The Hennepin County Renewal Pilot was implemented in three phases from 2008 through 2011 and provided a foundation for statewide implementation.