Glossary: General Assistance

The maximum amount of assets you're allowed to own while maintaining eligibility for a particular disability benefits program. Most benefits programs do not count everything you own, including the home you live in and one car you own. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the first $100,000 in an ABLE account is not counted as assets. For Medical Assistance, SNAP (formerly Food Support/Food Stamps), and some other programs, none of the money in an ABLE account is counted.

Also called a "resource limit."

A state program that gives monthly cash assistance to low-income Minnesotans. The maximum GA benefit for individuals is $350/month ($350 for couples).

To qualify for the program, you must fit into one of 15 categories, most of which are based on disability or unemployability. If you're applying for GA, you're usually required to apply for Social Security benefits as well. The GA asset limit is $10,000 for couples and individuals, and your monthly net income must be less than $350 ($350 for couples). For more information or to apply, contact your county or tribal human services office.

The highest income you can have while still qualifying for a particular benefits program.

A Social Security Administration program that gives money each month to people who have a disability that meets Social Security disability rules and who, in the past, worked and paid FICA taxes for enough time to qualify. SSDI has no income limits and no resource limits. The amount you get in SSDI benefits depends on your Social Security earnings record. After getting SSDI benefits for two years, you automatically qualify for Medicare health coverage.

SSDI also offers benefits to family members, including children and widows, when a primary wage earner in the family becomes disabled or dies. Additionally, adults whose disabilities began before they turned 22 may be able to get Disabled Adult Child (DAC).