Administration on Aging, including Fact Sheets & Publications
Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA on the EEOC site
Arc Minnesota, Advocacy and support for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Benefits CheckUp, from the National Council on Aging
A free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs
for older Americans.
A Minnesota specific version is also available at
MinnesotaHelp.info
Bridge to Benefits, a multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. Has lots of information on many benefit programs.
CareGuide, providing personalized, geographically relevant information about elder and child care.
Case decisions from the Federal and State courts via Google Scholar.
Finding the laws that govern us
select: Legal opinions and journals.
Case Mix, Minnesota Nursing Home payment rates - MN Dept of Health -
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Child Nutrition Programs at USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Eat Smart, Play Hard)
Children's Defense Fund - Minnesota
Children's Legal Protection Center
Child Support, from MN Dept of Human Services
Child Support Online - Minnesota, provides participants information about their Minnesota child support cases (currently available for Dodge, Freeborn, Scott, Stevens, & St. Louis Counties)
City and County Ordinances via the Minnesota State Law Library
CLASP - Center for Law and Social Policy
CMS Program Manuals, Medicare & Medicaid Program Manuals (in Word 97 and html formats).
Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR by section) GPO Access - or -
CFR at Cornell Law School
See also
LSA, List of CFR Sections Affected
Cold Weather Rule, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Minnesota State Median Income from LIHEAP
Commerce, Minnesota Department of, Insurance information, Residential Building Contractors & more
Community Action Partnership, with a Map of Community Action Agencies in Minnesota by County
Consumer Action Website, Federal Citizen Information Center - or go directly to the Consumer Action Handbook
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS), Minnesota
Consumer Division, Minnesota Attorney General's Office (click on Consumer at top of page)
Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL)
Consumer Federation of America, an advocacy, research, education, and service organization
The
CFA Consumer Information page has lots of helpful information.
Consumer Information Center, US Government site
Covering All Families, to assess eligibility for multiple benefit programs in Minnesota
or go straight to the Eligibility checker
Dental Care for Children: Give Kids a Smile, In February many Minnesota dental professionals will provide free care to low-income children in need. The dental care will be available in community-based clinics and private dental practices in locations throughout the state.
Dictionary of the Law, from law.com
Disability Law Center - Minnesota,
See also the
MDLS Fact Sheets, including these areas:
Disability, Education, Individual Rights, Public Benefits, Seniors, Work.
Disability Linkage Line : 1-866-333-2466, in-depth information and assistance services for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their representatives
Domestic Abuse, Information & Links
Earned Income Credit, & Working Family Credit for low income people in Minnesota
eDocs, Minnesota Department of Human Services repository of forms and documents.
Elderly & Retirement Web Sites, from the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
Electronic Banking / Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) from the FTC
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, - EEOC
Exemptions, State & Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions by State - See also Minnesota Exemptions,
FAIM, Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota - helps Minnesota low-wage earners build assets through purchase of a home, pursuit of a higher education, or launching a small business.
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, by HUD - Enforces the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws to ensure the right of equal housing opportunity and free and fair housing choice without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or family composition.
Fair Housing Advocate Online, National, Legal Research made available by the Tennessee Fair Housing Council - Go straight to the federal law and access a database of Department of Housing and Urban Development's Administrative Law Judge cases. Includes Guidance Notices and memos about procedure and standards.
Fair Housing - Disability Discrimination
Families USA Foundation, The Voice for Health Care Consumers.
This is a "first stop" site for information on Health Care advocacy.
Family Medical Leave Act (Federal) and State Parental Leave Act (MN Dept of Labor)
Farmers' Legal Action Group (FLAG)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Consumer Information Directory
Federal Register, GPO Access - or - by year: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Federal Practice Manual for Legal Aid Attorneys
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Consumer Protection area,
Lots of information and pamphlets here on topics ranging from
Consumer Complaints, to
Credit, and
Identity Theft.
FindLaw, Internet Legal Resources
First Call Minnesota, a statewide information and referral system.
See also:
GREAT RIVERS 2-1-1 (SE MN, Wisc & Iowa),
and UNITED WAY 2-1-1 (Minnesota), &
211 - Nationwide. Helps people find & give help.
FirstGov, Your First Click to the U.S. Government
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), All the news that is fit to print about Food Stamps and other food assistance programs.
Food Stamps at USDA, see the Food Stamps Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool, see also:
Fact Sheet on Resources, Income, and Benefits
Food Stamps 2007 Allotments and Deductions
Food Stamps 2007 Income Eligibility Standards
General Assistance Medical Care, Minnesota DHS
GovBenefits.org, Your Benefits Connection - a free, confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive. (Quite a long set of Questions here) - Seniors, try: Benefits CheckUp first
Grandparent Custody, Minnesota Kinship Caregives Association
Legal Steps is their Kinship Caregiver Resource Manual.
Handsnet, a national network of social service agencies
Health & Human Services (US), with access to Departmental Appeals Board Decisions
Health Care Directive, from the Minnesota Board on Aging
Health Care Financing Administration, (HCFA)
Recently renamed:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Heating Assistance Programs, from the Minnesota Department of Commerce
Weatherization |
Energy Assistance Program |
Reach Out for Warmth
|
Eligibility Guidelines
HeatShare, help for energy costs from the Salvation Army
HOME Line, A nonprofit Minnesota statewide tenant advocacy organization.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Human Rights, Minnesota Department of see: The Rights Stuff, the Department's online newsletter
IMAA, Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association provides opportunities for those who have come before to lend a helping hand to those who have recently arrived. (SE Minn.)
Immigration, from the National Immigration Forum, including Immigrants and Public Benefits
Immigration:
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services,
see the Education & Resources section & the Forms section
Insight: Center for Community Economic Development
Labor Department (US), Wage and Hour Division, Compliance Assistance (with the labor law)
Labor and Industry, Minnesota Department of - or go to their Labor Standards page or Minimum Wage page
Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities,
Other Housing Materials, from the Minnesota Attorney General
LawHelpMN.org, Helping low-income Minnesotans solve civil legal problems. Lots of topics for legal education here: Consumer, Disability, Education, Family and Juvenile, Farm, Health, Housing, Immigrant, Individual Rights, Migrant Workers, Native Americans, Public Benefits, Seniors, Taxes, & Work.
LawMoose, for Law & Minnesota, expect to find it here.
Legal Services Advocacy Project, LSAP engages in legislative and administrative advocacy, conducts research and policy analysis and provides community education and training in Minnesota.
Legal Services Corporation, or go to a directory of Legal Services Offices by State & County
Magic: The Minnesota Association for Guardianship & Conservatorship, lots of information here about Guardianships and other less restrictive alternatives. See: Guardianship FAQ & info about Power of Attorney
Managed Care, A Guide to Monitoring Medicaid Managed Care
from Families USA
(a National Health Care Consumer Group)
Managed Health Care, (A Minnesota Attorney General Site)
Manufactured Home Park Handbook, (from the Minnesota Attorney General Site)
Medicaid & Children's Health, from Families USA, The Voice for Health Care Consumers
Medicaid General Information Page, (HCFA)
Medical Assistance, Minnesota DHS
Medicare General Information Page, (HCFA)
Medicare Advocacy, Center for - a private, non-profit organization which provides education, advocacy, and legal assistance to help elders and people with disabilities obtain necessary healthcare.
Medicare Education, Center for - Lots of information and articles concerning Medicare.
Medicare Information, (US Govt site) Medicare Publications and Medicare Compare which allows users to compare managed care programs in their geographic area. Medicare and You (2008)
Medicare - Minnesota Policies - Part A (Noridian Administrative Services)
MinnesotaCare, a subsidized health care program for people who live in Minnesota and do not have access to health insurance.
Minnesota Dept of Health
-
Bill of Rights, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Home Care (w/ translations) -
Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC)
Minnesota Department of Human Services ,
Fact Sheets,
MN-DHS Fair Hearings Decision Database
Minnesota DHS Manuals or
MN DHS Bulletins
Minnesota Food Helpline, (1-888-711-1151) The multilingual staff will help enroll low-income Minnesotans in the Food Support (Food Stamps) program and help callers find emergency food assistance.
Minnesota Guidebook to State Agency Services, over 400 pages of information about MN State Agencies (pdf format)
MinnesotaHelp.info, a directory to locate community resources in Minnesota
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Minnesota Legal Services Coalition
Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings includes a Searchable ALJ Decision Database
Minnesota Rules / Regulations or just got straight to the Rules , or an abbreviated list of Minnesota Rules
Minnesota State Bar Association - MSBA online Lawyer Referral System
Minnesota State Courts, --
Public Access to case records. --
Opinions of the MN Appellate Courts
or go to MN State Court Self-Help Center or
Forms , including: Adoption, Appeals, Bankruptcy, Child Custody / Parenting Time, Child Protection, Child Support, Civil Commitment, Conceal and Carry, Conciliation / Small Claims Court, Confidential Information, Contempt of Court, Criminal Criminal Expungement, Divorce / Dissolution, Fee Waiver / In Forma Pauperis, Forfeiture and Impoundment, Guardianship / Conservatorship, Housing / Landlord-Tenant, Judgment Enforcement, Juvenile / Delinquency, Motor Vehicles, Name Change, Paternity, Probate, Protective Orders (Domestic Abuse, Harassment), Service of Process, Spousal Support, Subpoena.
Minnesota State Law Library - Internet Legal Resources
Minnesota State Register or direct to: Current Issue
Minnesota Statutes and Session Laws, or an abbreviated list of Minnesota Laws
Minnesota Workforce Centers,
Where Job Seekers and Employers Click // Helping People Help Themselves Achieve Economic Security
Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program, at the Home Ownership Center. See also Foreclosure Prevention, at MHFA
SE MN referrals go to: Lutheran Social Services
National Center for Children in Poverty, identifies and promotes strategies that prevent child poverty in the U.S. and that improve the lives of low-income children and families.
National Center for Law and Economic Justice (previously: Welfare Law Center)
National Center on Poverty Law, (formerly: National Clearinghouse for Legal Services)
A comprehensive research service devoted to poverty law.
National Immigration Law Center, see also Immigrants & Public Benefits
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
National Senior Citizens Law Center, They have links to lots of sites relevant to seniors.
National Veterans Legal Services Program
North Star: Minnesota Government Information and Services: A comprehensive list of general state agency telephones numbers, e-mail addresses and web sites.
Nursing Home Compare, get the facts on a nursing home near you from HCFA
or get a copy of the HCFA
nursing home checklist
Nursing Home Discharge, at MN Department of Health
Nursing Home Reform, National Citizens' Coalition, or direct to their Fact Sheets
Nursing Home Report Card - Minnesota, Depts of Health & Human Services
Ombudsman for
Mental Health & Mental Retardation
or go to their
Civil Commitment Training and Resource Center
Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans
Other States - Research and Information Links (from Romlinger)
PACER Center, Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
PayDay Loan Consumer Information, from CFA - a very comprehensive site on PayDay loans
Pension Rights Project, part of the MN Senior Federation.
Pine Tree Legal Aid (Maine), Links to Other Legal Services.
Poverty & Race Research Action Council,
Links social science research to advocacy work in order to address problems at the intersection of race and poverty.
Federal Poverty Guidelines 2009
Poverty Law Manual , from the National Center on Poverty Law
Power ON, POWER on provides low-income households in Minnesota the opportunity to have a portion of their monthly electric bill discounted.
Predatory Lending, Don't Borrow Trouble Minnesota - seven-county metropolitan area - See also MN Attorney General, information on Predatory Lending.
Prescription Drug - Medicare Part D, from the Center for Medicare Advocacy
Part D - Medicare Materials for Advocates from National Senior Citizens Law Center
Benefits CheckUp
The Minnesota
RxConnect Prescription Drug Program
RxConnect information at the Minnesota Board on Aging
Project FINE, helps newcomers become better integrated into the community (Winona County, MN)
ProJusticeMN.org, Minnesota's Legal Community Serving the Public Good: Minnesota's online poverty law resource for anyone advising low-income or disadvantaged clients.
Public Assistance Programs - All States, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Rural Development - USDA - Minnesota, help with home ownership, rental, and repairs
Safe at Home, provides mail forwarding to protect confidential address for victims of domestic violence.
School Discipline & Children with Disabilities, an interactive guide for Minnesota Families. From PACER Center
Semcac, Community Action Agency serving Southeast Minnesota
SEMCIL, Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living
SEMMCHRA, Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral (MN)
Senior Citizens Resources, A Minnesota Attorney General Site
Seniors' Legal Rights booklet
Senior Guide to Fighting Fraud (PDF)
Phone Handbook
Probate and Planning: A Guide to Planning for the Future
Senior Linkage Line : 1-800-333-2433, a free state wide (MN) telephone information and assistance service which makes it easy for older adults and their families to locate community services.
Seniors Legal Advocacy, AARP with link to Elder Law Forum
Seniors - Minnesota - Planning Ahead Booklet (pdf)
Social Security Administration or straight to the Social Security Handbook
See also the SSA's
Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool
Student Loans - Guide for those in Default, US Dept of Education General Forms | Discharge for Disability
Supplemental Security Income, from the Social Security Administration
Free Tax preparation assistance, for low income people in Minnesota, or Search for Free Tax Preparation
Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS -
See also Offices in Minnesota
Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP), Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
See also Lifeline, Telephone Assistance Plan, Link Up (MN Dept of Commerce)
&
Telephone Equipment Distribution (MN DHS) with Application forms
Thomas: Access to Congressional Legislative Information
Three Rivers Community Action, formerly the Goodhue-Rice-Wabasha Citizens Action Council
Unemployment Insurance, MN WorkForce Center - Find out how to apply for benefits or Read the UI Handbook
forms for Appealing UI Cases to the MN Court of Appeals: English, Hmong, Somali, Spanish
United States Bankruptcy Court, - District of Minnesota - See also Bankruptcy Forms Manual
United States Code, Federal Law to search or browse (via Cornell Law School)
United States Code, via US House of Representatives or United States Code, GPO
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court - Minnesota
U.S. Supreme Court (via Cornell Law School)
Utilities Protections in Minnesota, Minnesota Attorney General's Office
Veterans Affairs, US Dept of
Veterans Affairs - Office of Financial Directives,
Manuals |
VA Directives |
VA Handbooks |
VA Publications
Veteran - Minnesota - LinkVet, 1-888-546-5838 : information on veterans’ benefits, healthcare, education, and reintegration.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services, part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
(for people with disabilities who need services to prepare for work, or to find and keep a job)
Welfare Web Sites, from the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
WIC, Women, Infants, and Children - A Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
See also WIC at USDA
Food and Nutrition Service
WinonaShares.org, Free Store and Resource Directory for the Winona area.
Womenslaw.org
State-by-state legal information and resources for domestic violence.
This site brings a lot of information together - use it
Workers' Compensation, MN Dept Labor & Industry (Hotline: 1-800-342-5354)
See also Employee's Guide
to the Minnesota workers' compensation system
Youth Law, from the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
See also Youth and the Law, A Guide for Legislators (large pdf)