Appeals, regulations, bulletins, and contracts

The Appeals and Regulations Division of the Department of Human Services (DHS) conducts fair hearings when applicants or recipients appeal delays in their applications or denials, reductions, suspensions or terminations of financial assistance or social services. This division also coordinates the agency’s development of regulations and issuance of bulletins. The division also manages the department’s contract process, decides financial responsibility disputes between counties, and advises the commissioner on family system licensing appeals.

Appeals and Regulations Division staff can be reached at (651) 431-3600.

Appeals

Applicants who have applied for or are getting financial help, Medical Assistance, Food Stamps or social services may request a fair hearing if:

  • • The county agency does not act quickly enough and the applicant thinks it has gone beyond the legal time limit.
  • • The county agency decides the applicant cannot get help.
  • • The county agency providing the applicant with assistance or services reduces or stops them.
  • • The state agency denies the applicant a specific medical service.

    • A human services judge, who has not been involved in the decision the applicant is appealing, will look at the facts in the case. He or she will look at the evidence and hear arguments by the applicant and the county agency. Every effort is made to get all information needed to arrive at a fair decision based on the law. The hearing may be conducted by telephone unless the applicant objects.

    Use the Fair Hearings Decision Database to search human services appeals decisions. The database contains a comprehensive collection of decisions, with private data and county identifying data removed, dating back to July 2001. The archive includes a keyword search function, and is available to members of the public interested in seeing how the appeals function has addressed particular issues.

    The Frequently asked questions about state appeal hearings page has information about how to request a hearing. The form "Information About State Appeal Hearings" (DHS-2811) is also available in the DHS eDocs (eForms) library along with the form "Instructions for Requesting an Appeal" (DHS-0033).

    Regulations

    The DHS Appeals and Regulations Division is responsible for coordinating the agency’s rulemaking projects. Division staff ensure that the public has a chance to participate in the development of rules and also ensures that the department complies with state laws governing the rulemaking process.

    This document informs the public of the status of the agency’s current rulemaking projects and is updated quarterly.

    This document contains a description of existing regulations that the agency uses to administer various programs. Also included are rules currently being developed. The document contains information such as the names and telephone numbers of staff members familiar with specific rules and programs. This document is updated yearly.

    Bulletins

    DHS annually issues more than 100 bulletins about statutes, regulations, and operating procedures that affect health care, public assistance and social services programs implemented by Minnesota counties and DHS.

    Bulletins issued within the past two years are accessible through this Web site.

    Procedures for deciding financial responsibility disputes between counties

    The Department of Human Services has the statutory authority to resolve disputes between county human services agencies regarding financial responsibility for human services programs ranging from medical assistance to commitment. Pursuant to its authority, the department receives about forty (40) requests per year. Procedures, information, forms, and contact information is available on the Procedures for deciding financial responsibility disputes between counties web page.

    Contracts

    For questions about the department’s contracting process, contact:

    Minnesota Department of Human Services
    Appeals and Regulations Division
    Contract Unit
    PO Box 64941
    St. Paul, MN 55164-0941


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