Short Stature Benefits in Minnesota

To qualify for federal disability benefits like SSI or SSDI, you must have a medical condition that limits your ability to work and perform daily activities. For SSI, you need low income and limited resources. SSDI requires a work history and enough Social Security credits. Children with disabilities may qualify for benefits if their condition started before age 18 or 22, depending on the program. Medical documentation is required to prove your disability meets Social Security’s definition.

• SSI: For adults and children with limited income and resources.
• SSDI: For adults who have worked and paid into Social Security.
• Disabled Adult Child (DAC): For adults with a disability that began before age 22, based on a parent’s Social Security record.

You must not have substantial earnings. In 2025, substantial earnings are more than $1,620 per month ($2,700 if blind) [3].

In Minnesota, people with short stature may qualify for state disability benefits if their condition meets medical criteria and limits their ability to work or perform daily activities. Minnesota offers Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services, which can help with healthcare, housing, and employment support. The state also provides ABLE accounts for people with disabilities that began before age 46, allowing tax-advantaged savings for disability-related expenses.

Recent changes in 2025 affect public safety disability health insurance. For regular duty disabilities, health insurance coverage is now limited to five years, but total and permanent duty disabilities still receive coverage until age 65. These changes do not affect most civilians with short stature, but are important for public safety employees [1].

Minnesota’s income guidelines for Medical Assistance (MA), Supplemental Aid, and Housing Support are updated annually to reflect Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) [2].

• Gather medical records and proof of income.
• Contact Disability Hub MN for help with applications.
• Apply for SSI/SSDI online, by phone, or in person at Social Security.
• Apply for Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) through MNsure or DHS.
• Explore ABLE accounts if your disability began before age 46.
• Report changes in income or health to avoid overpayments.

• Step 1: Collect medical documentation that shows how short stature limits your ability to work or perform daily activities.
• Step 2: Contact Disability Hub MN for personalized help and application support. They can help you navigate the system and plan for your future [4].
• Step 3: Apply for SSI or SSDI through the Social Security Administration. You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. Provide all required medical and financial information [3].
• Step 4: Apply for Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) through MNsure or the Department of Human Services. You may qualify for Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services if you meet income and medical criteria [2].
• Step 5: If your disability began before age 46, consider opening an ABLE account for tax-advantaged savings for disability-related expenses [2].
• Step 6: Report any changes in income, resources, or health to Social Security and DHS to avoid overpayments and ensure continued eligibility [4].

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Cash benefits for people with disabilities and low income.
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Cash benefits for people with disabilities who have a work history.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with disabilities and low income.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people with disabilities after 24 months of SSDI.
• ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities that began before age 46.
• Disabled Adult Child (DAC): Benefits for adults with a disability that began before age 22, based on a parent’s Social Security record [3].

• Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid): Health coverage for people with disabilities and low income. Includes waivers for home and community-based services (HCBS) for additional support [2].
• Supplemental Aid: Cash assistance for people with disabilities and low income.
• Housing Support: Assistance with housing costs for people with disabilities.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Available to most employees for income protection if disabled [6].
• ABLE Accounts: Minnesota offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities that began before age 46, allowing tax-advantaged savings for disability-related expenses [2].
• Disability Hub MN: Free statewide resource network for help with benefits, work planning, and system navigation [4].

Minnesota offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities that began before age 46. These accounts allow tax-advantaged savings for disability-related expenses. Contributions are limited to $18,000 per year (2025), and the account balance does not affect SSI eligibility up to $100,000. ABLE accounts can be used for expenses like housing, education, transportation, and healthcare [2].

Income limits for SSI and Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) are updated annually. In 2025, the SSI federal benefit rate is $943 per month for an individual. Minnesota’s income guidelines for Medical Assistance, Supplemental Aid, and Housing Support are updated to reflect Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) [2].

You must report changes in income, resources, or health to Social Security and the Department of Human Services to avoid overpayments. Failure to report changes can result in penalties or loss of benefits. Disability Hub MN can help you understand reporting requirements and avoid overpayments [4].

• Disability Hub MN
  Phone: 1-866-333-2466

  TTY: 711

  Email: [email protected]

  Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

  Website

  Free statewide resource network for people with disabilities.

• Can short stature qualify for disability benefits in Minnesota?

  Yes, short stature may qualify for disability benefits if it limits your ability to work or perform daily activities. You must provide medical documentation to prove your disability meets Social Security’s definition and meet income and resource criteria for SSI or SSDI [3].

• What state programs are available for people with short stature in Minnesota?

  Minnesota offers Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Supplemental Aid, Housing Support, and ABLE accounts. Medicaid waivers provide home and community-based services for additional support. Disability Hub MN offers help with benefits and work planning [2].

• How do I apply for SSI or SSDI in Minnesota?

  You can apply for SSI or SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. You will need medical and financial information to complete your application [3].

• What is an ABLE account and how do I open one in Minnesota?

  An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities that began before age 46. You can open an ABLE account through Minnesota’s ABLE program. Contributions are limited to $18,000 per year (2025) [2].

• Do I need to report changes in income or health to avoid overpayments?

  Yes, you must report changes in income, resources, or health to Social Security and the Department of Human Services to avoid overpayments. Failure to report changes can result in penalties or loss of benefits. Disability Hub MN can help you understand reporting requirements [4].