Housing Support & Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)

What is Housing Support?

Housing Support is a Minnesota program that helps pay the room-and-board costs (rent, utilities, and food) of lower-income seniors and adults with disabilities who live in certain settings, so they can avoid homelessness or an unnecessary move to an institution. It was called Group Residential Housing (GRH) until 2017, when the state renamed it Housing Support.

It pays for room and board in authorized Housing Support settings, such as licensed assisted living communities and adult foster care homes, up to a monthly maximum the state sets. As of July 1, 2025, that base maximum was $1,192 per month for group settings and $1,242 per month for community settings; the state adjusts these rates, so confirm the current amount on the DHS Housing Support rates page. In some settings a separate Supplemental Services allowance can help pay for certain support services for qualifying residents.

How Housing Support fits with the Elderly Waiver

The two programs cover different costs. The Elderly Waiver pays for the care and services a senior receives in assisted living. Housing Support helps with the room and board the Elderly Waiver does not cover. They are separate programs, so a lower-income senior who independently qualifies for both can sometimes use them together to make assisted living possible, with eligibility for each decided by the responsible agencies.

The catch is that the setting must be an authorized Housing Support provider. Not every community participates, so it is one of the first things to confirm, directly with the provider and the responsible agency. CasperCare can help you compare options, but whether a specific community accepts Housing Support has to be verified with that community and the agency.

What is Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)?

Minnesota Supplemental Aid is a state cash program that adds a monthly supplement for people who are aged, blind, or have a disability and who receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Some older adults who do not get SSI, because their other income is a little too high, may still qualify if they meet MSA's income limit.

People who receive MSA are also eligible for help with medical, food, and housing costs through Medical Assistance, SNAP (food support), and MSA Housing Assistance. MSA and Housing Support can work alongside the Elderly Waiver when a person and setting each qualify.

Who qualifies

Eligibility is based on low income and assets, and on living in a participating setting. In general:

• Lower-income seniors, and adults with disabilities, who cannot cover room and board on their own.
• For MSA, people who receive SSI, or who would qualify except their income is slightly too high.
• For Housing Support, residents of a setting that is an authorized Housing Support provider.
• Exact income and asset limits are set by the state and change. The responsible agencies determine a person's eligibility, and the provider or agency confirms whether a setting is an authorized Housing Support provider.

Common mistakes families make

• Assuming Housing Support pays for care. It pays for room and board; the Elderly Waiver covers the care.
• Not checking whether a community actually participates in Housing Support before setting their heart on it.
• Waiting to apply. County processing takes time, so start early.
• Trying to line up the Elderly Waiver, Housing Support, and MSA alone, when free help exists.

How to apply, step by step

1. 1

   Start with your county or Minnesota Aging Pathways

   Contact your county or Tribal human services agency, or call Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 1-800-333-2433 for free help understanding your options.

2. 2

   Apply for Medical Assistance and the Elderly Waiver

   The Elderly Waiver (for care) and Housing Support or MSA (for room and board) cover different costs and are explored separately. They may be combined only when each program's requirements are met.

3. 3

   Confirm the setting is authorized

   Ask whether the assisted living community or adult foster care home is an authorized Housing Support provider, and confirm it with the responsible agency. Only authorized settings can use it.

4. 4

   Apply for Housing Support and MSA

   Apply through MNbenefits or your county or Tribal human-services office. They determine eligibility and the amount.

5. 5

   Get help comparing options

   CasperCare can help you compare options at no cost. Whether a specific community accepts Housing Support is confirmed with that community and the responsible agency.