How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level / Minnesota Board on Aging - MBA (state level) / County Senior Services (county level)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: Yes - mn.gov/seniors; mn.gov/dhs; 211unitedway.org WHERE TO GO: Call Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433); County Human Services Department; local senior center or AAA

Online Option

Yes - mn.gov/seniors; mn.gov/dhs; 211unitedway.org

Where to Go

Call Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433); County Human Services Department; local senior center or AAA

County-specific variations apply

Minnesota's 87 counties each have their own Human Services departments that administer senior programs. Hennepin County (Minneapolis) and Ramsey County (St. Paul) have extensive urban senior services; Dakota, Anoka, and Washington counties also have robust suburban systems. Greater Minnesota counties (Duluth/St. Louis, Rochester/Olmsted, St. Cloud/Stearns) have substantial regional services. Rural counties in northern and southwestern Minnesota may have more limited local options and rely more heavily on AAA resources.

Minnesota Notes

Important state-specific details

SENIOR LINKAGE LINE (1-800-333-2433): Minnesota's comprehensive one-call resource for seniors and caregivers - available Monday-Friday during business hours; provides free, unbiased information and referrals statewide.
ELDERLY WAIVER: Minnesota's primary Medicaid HCBS waiver - allows qualifying seniors to receive home-based care instead of nursing facility placement; apply through county Human Services.
ALTERNATIVE CARE PROGRAM: Minnesota state-funded program (not Medicaid) for seniors who don't yet qualify for Medicaid but need some care - lower income and asset thresholds; contact your county.
SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program): free Medicare counseling - through Minnesota Board on Aging and AAAs; call 1-800-333-2433.
HOMESTEAD CREDIT REFUND (M1PR): Minnesota's income-based property tax refund for homeowners and renters - file Schedule M1PR with state tax return; significant for seniors.
SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL: seniors 65+ with income under $60,000 may defer property taxes - contact County Treasurer.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through your County Human Services; call 1-844-880-1574 (DHS APS line) or county directly.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Minnesota Board on Aging - mn.gov/seniors | Senior LinkAge Line: 1-800-333-2433; Minnesota DHS - mn.gov/dhs | (651) 431-2670; APS: (844) 880-1574; 2-1-1: dial 211