When a client signs an Interim Assistance Authorization (DHS-1795A), they authorize the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to recover the cost of state funded-cash assistance they received from any retroactive benefits they are later awarded from other maintenance benefits (OMB), such as Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) and Unemployment Insurance.

What Qualifies as Interim Assistance
Interim assistance refers to state-funded cash assistance provided to meet a client’s basic needs while they await a decision on other benefits (like RSDI or Unemployment). These payments may be paid directly to the client or to a vendor on the client’s behalf (like a housing provider). Qualifying programs include:

●	General Assistance (GA)
●	Housing Support Program (HSP)

Eligibility for Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR)
To be eligible for IAR, all of the following must be true:

●	The client or legal guardian signed an Interim Assistance Authorization (DHS-1795A) (IAA) form, and
●	The client received interim assistance (GA or HSP) during the same period covered by their retroactive payment.

For details on what qualifies as a valid IAA, see 12.12.02 (Interim Assistance Authorization for RSDI and OMB).

Benefits Not Eligible for IAR
The following types of benefits do not qualify for interim assistance reimbursement:

●	Veterans Benefits
●	Railroad Benefits

Federal laws prohibit DHS from requesting repayment from retroactive payments from these programs.

Limitation on Voluntary IAR
Clients are not required to repay interim assistance (GA and HSP) from their RSDI, Unemployment, or other exempt retroactive benefits. They may choose to repay it. If the client does not repay the interim assistance to DHS:

●	DHS, counties or Tribal Nations cannot garnish, take, or levy the client’s exempt income.
●	They can take civil action to recover the interim assistance from non-exempt income and assets.

Refer to the sections below for additional policy provisions on Interim Assistance Reimbursement for RSDI and OMB.


MFIP, SNAP, MSA:
No provisions.


GA, HSP:
DHS does not process interim assistance reimbursement (IAR) for RSDI or other non-SSI maintenance benefits.

Counties or Tribal Nations can choose to request voluntary repayment of interim assistance directly from the client. However, they must establish their own policy that outlines how and when these voluntary repayment requests will be made.

Do not establish an overpayment in MAXIS. Interim Assistance repayment requests are not overpayments.

Manual Interim Assistance Repayment Request
For retroactive benefits the client receives directly, the agency may request repayment directly from the client. This applies to RSDI, unemployment, and other non-SSI benefit types.

To request repayment of interim assistance from the client, determine the amount of interim assistance paid to the client during the interim assistance period. For information on how to determine the amount of interim assistance a client owes, see TE02.08.197 (Interim Assistance Reimbursement RSDI/OMB). Send the client the Interim Assistance Repayment Request (DHS-4571). This form can be used to request repayment for non-SSI IAA. If the client does not voluntarily repay the benefits issued, the County or Tribal Nation may begin action to recover it.

Submit IAR Payments
Send IAR payments to:
DHS – MAXIS 211
PO Box 64835
St. Paul MN 55164-0835

Include:

●	a copy of the client notice; or
●	the client’s full name, case number, and clearly label it as a IAR payment.

Note:

●	DHS Financial Operations will enter a MAXIS case note when a payment is received.
●	Counties and Tribal Nations are responsible for tracking the outstanding interim assistance balance.

Civil Recovery
If voluntary repayment is not received, counties or tribal nations may pursue civil legal action to recover the funds from the client’s non-exempt income or assets.

Civil recovery is a legal process used to obtain a court judgment to recover unpaid interim assistance through collection actions such as garnishment or liens. Specific procedures for civil recovery may vary by agency and are set by the county/tribal attorney or collections unit.

Civil recovery must be initiated within 6 years from the date the client’s retroactive payment was issued. A judgment can be obtained while the client is receiving public assistance. However, collection actions cannot begin until 6 months after public assistance ends.

Once a judgment is issued:

●	It is not subject to the 6-year statute of limitations.
●	It must be renewed every 10 years to remain valid.
●	The court-ordered amount may differ from the original requested amount because of interest from the date the judgement was docketed.

Worker’s Compensation
The DHS Benefit Recovery Section (BRS) is responsible for seeking repayment of benefits issued during the period covered by a Worker’s Compensation claim.