How to Appeal a SNAP Decision in Minnesota: Fair Hearings and What to Expect

If you live in Minnesota and you disagree with a decision about your SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, you usually have the right to ask for a fair hearing. This is an official appeal process where an independent hearing officer reviews your case.

This guide explains, in plain language, how SNAP appeals and fair hearings typically work in Minnesota, what deadlines to watch, and how to prepare. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or application site, but this overview can help you understand your options so you can move forward through official Minnesota channels.

What Is a SNAP Fair Hearing in Minnesota?

A fair hearing is a formal way to challenge a decision made by your county or tribal human services agency about your SNAP case. It is your chance to:

• Explain why you think the decision is wrong
• Share documents and information that support your side
• Have an independent state hearing officer review the facts and the rules

In Minnesota, SNAP is usually managed by your county or tribal agency, under oversight of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). A fair hearing does not happen at your local county office; it is run through the state’s hearing system.

You can usually request a fair hearing if you disagree with actions like:

• Denial of your SNAP application
• Lowering your benefit amount
• Ending your benefits
• Claiming you were overpaid and must pay money back
• Delays: your application or recertification is not processed within required timeframes

Common Reasons People Appeal SNAP Decisions in Minnesota

People may ask for a fair hearing if they believe:

• Income or expenses were calculated incorrectly
• Household members were counted wrong (too many or too few people)
• Housing, childcare, or medical expenses were not included correctly
• Sanctions or penalties were applied in error
• Notices were unclear or they did not receive proper notice before a change
• The county misunderstood or lost documents

You do not need to be certain the county is wrong to request a hearing. If you do not understand why a decision was made, you can still ask for a fair hearing or an informal review.

Deadlines: When You Must Request a Fair Hearing

Deadlines are one of the most important parts of the SNAP appeal process.

In Minnesota, for most SNAP decisions:

• You normally have 90 days from the date on the written notice of the decision to ask for a fair hearing.

To try to keep your current SNAP benefits from changing while your appeal is decided (often called “aid paid pending”):

• You usually must request the hearing before the effective date of the change, or within a short time after (commonly 10 days from the date on the notice, but always check what your notice says).

Your notice of action from the county or tribal agency should list:

• The exact deadline to request a hearing
• How to request the hearing
• Where to send or call

If you are close to a deadline, it is often better to submit your hearing request right away through an official channel, then gather more information afterward.

How to Request a SNAP Fair Hearing in Minnesota

The steps can vary slightly by county or tribal agency, but the process usually looks like this:

1. Read Your Notice Carefully

When your county or tribal agency makes a decision about your SNAP, they must send a written notice. This notice usually explains:

• What decision was made
• When it takes effect
• Why it was made (income, household size, missing info, etc.)
• Your appeal rights and deadlines

Look for sections titled “Right to Appeal,” “Fair Hearing,” or “Hearing Rights.”

2. Choose How to Request the Hearing

In Minnesota, you can typically request a fair hearing by:

• Mail – sending a written request to the address listed on your notice
• Fax – if a fax number is listed
• Phone – calling the number listed on your notice or your county office
• In person – by going to your county or tribal human services office and stating that you want to appeal

Some Minnesota counties or tribes may also allow you to submit requests electronically through an official portal or email. Your notice should explain the available options.

3. What to Say in Your Request

Your hearing request does not need to be long or complicated. It typically just needs to say that you want to appeal a SNAP decision. A simple written request might include:

• Your full name
• Your case number or client ID (from your notice or EBT card paperwork)
• Your address and phone number
• A short statement like:
  • “I am requesting a fair hearing about the denial of my SNAP benefits,” or
  • “I am appealing the decrease in my SNAP benefits effective [date].”

You do not have to explain everything in detail in the request, but it can help to mention:

• The date of the notice you are appealing
• The specific action (denial, reduction, overpayment, etc.)

4. Keep Copies and Proof

Whenever you request a hearing:

• Keep a copy of your written request
• If mailed, note the date you mailed it
• If faxed, keep the fax confirmation
• If submitted in person, you can ask for a date-stamped copy or written confirmation

This can be useful if there is any question about whether you appealed on time.

What Happens After You Request a SNAP Fair Hearing?

Once your hearing request is received through an official Minnesota channel, you can usually expect:

1. Acknowledgment and Scheduling

You should receive a written notice from the Minnesota hearing office explaining:

• That your hearing request was received
• The date, time, and method of your hearing (often phone or video, sometimes in-person)
• Instructions for submitting evidence or documents
• Information about your right to have a representative (such as a legal aid attorney, advocate, or trusted person)

If the time or date does not work, the notice usually explains how to ask to reschedule. There may be rules about how early you need to ask, so contact the number on the notice as soon as possible if you need a change.

2. County Conference (Optional/Informal Review)

Before the hearing, some people choose to have an informal meeting or conference with their county worker or supervisor. This is sometimes called a “county conference.”

• This is an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings or provide missing documents.
• Sometimes the issue is resolved without needing a full hearing.
• Requesting or attending a county conference does NOT take away your hearing rights. You can still go forward with your fair hearing if the issue is not resolved.

Your hearing notice or your county office can explain how to request this type of informal meeting.

3. Preparing for the Hearing

Before the hearing date, it may help to:

• Review your case file:
  • You usually have a right to see and copy your SNAP case file at the county or tribal office.
  • Ask the office how to review your file or request copies.
• Gather documents that support your position, such as:
  • Pay stubs or proof of income
  • Rent or mortgage statements, lease, or property tax bills
  • Utility bills (heat, electricity, etc.)
  • Childcare receipts or statements
  • Medical expense records (if relevant to deductions)
  • Notices you received from the county
• Write down what happened:
  • When you applied or reported changes
  • Who you spoke with and what they said (if you remember)
• Organize everything in a folder or notebook so you can find it easily during the hearing.

You can usually submit documents ahead of time to the hearing office or bring them to the hearing, depending on the instructions in your hearing notice.

What the SNAP Fair Hearing Is Like

A SNAP fair hearing in Minnesota is less formal than a court trial, but it is still an official legal proceeding.

Typically, a hearing will include:

• A hearing officer from the state (not from your county office)
• A representative from your county or tribal agency (often a worker or supervisor)
• You and, if you choose, your representative, advocate, or support person

How the Hearing Usually Proceeds

While specific procedures can vary, a typical hearing goes something like this:

1. Introduction by the hearing officer
   • Explains the issue to be decided
   • Reviews rights and the process
2. County or tribal agency explains their decision
   • Why your benefits were denied, reduced, closed, etc.
   • What rules they relied on
   • What information or documents they used
3. You present your side
   • Explain why you disagree
   • Share documents or evidence
   • Clarify anything that seems incorrect or incomplete
4. Questions
   • The hearing officer may ask questions of both you and the county
   • You may have a chance to ask questions of the county representative
5. Closing statements
   • Each side can briefly sum up their position

You generally do not get a decision on the spot. The hearing officer will review everything and then send a written decision afterward.

After the Hearing: Decisions and What They Mean

1. The Written Decision

After the hearing, the hearing officer issues a written decision. This decision usually explains:

• The facts the hearing officer found
• The rules or policies applied
• Whether the county or tribal agency’s action was correct or incorrect
• Any orders (for example, to restore benefits, correct a calculation, or uphold the decision)

The decision is mailed to you at the address on file, so make sure your mailing address is current with the county.

2. If You Win

If the decision is in your favor, it may order actions such as:

• Approving your SNAP application
• Restoring benefits that were reduced or stopped
• Correcting your benefit amount going forward
• Adjusting or canceling an overpayment claim

The county or tribal agency is typically required to follow the decision within a specific timeframe. If the changes do not happen, you can contact your county office or the hearing office listed on the decision.

3. If You Lose (Decision Is Upheld)

If the hearing officer agrees with the county:

• The decision stands (for example, denial, reduction, closure, or overpayment).
• If you received continued benefits during the appeal (“aid paid pending”), you may be required to repay those benefits if the reduction or closure is upheld.

The written decision should explain whether you have any further options, such as:

• Requesting reconsideration by the agency
• Appealing to a higher authority or court (this usually involves strict deadlines and may benefit from legal advice)

Keeping Benefits During the Appeal (Aid Paid Pending)

In some situations, you may be able to keep your current SNAP benefit amount while your appeal is being decided. This is sometimes called “aid paid pending.”

To increase the chance of this:

• You usually must file your appeal before the effective date of the change listed in the notice, or within a very short time afterward (commonly within 10 days of the notice date—check your notice).

Important points:

• If you win, benefits that were wrongly reduced or stopped may be restored.
• If you lose, you may have to repay SNAP benefits you received during the appeal period that you were not actually eligible for under the final decision.

Your notice and your county or tribal office can explain how these rules apply to your specific case.

Typical Documents to Gather for a Minnesota SNAP Appeal

What you’ll need depends on why you are appealing, but these are common examples:

• Identification (for you and household members, if disputed)
• Income proof
  • Pay stubs
  • Employer statements
  • Unemployment benefit letters
  • Social Security letters
• Expense proof
  • Rent or mortgage statements
  • Lease agreements
  • Utility bills
  • Childcare bills or contracts
  • Medical bills (especially for elderly or disabled household members, if counted as deductions)
• Immigration or citizenship documents, if relevant
• Any county notices or letters you received
• Proof of mailing or submission of documents you already turned in

Bringing or submitting too many documents is usually better than too few, as long as they relate to the issue in your case.

Comparing Key SNAP Appeal Features in Minnesota

*Always check your specific notice or contact your county or tribal office, because procedures and contact points can change.

Getting Help with a SNAP Appeal in Minnesota

You do not have to go through the process alone. People often get help from:

• Legal aid organizations – Many Minnesota legal aid groups help with public benefits issues at no cost to eligible clients.
• Community or advocacy organizations – Some nonprofits and community groups help with SNAP applications and appeals.
• Trusted friends or family – You can usually bring someone to support you at the hearing or help you prepare.

To find help:

• Call 211 from anywhere in Minnesota to ask for referrals to legal aid or benefits advocacy.
• Contact your county or tribal human services office and ask if they know of local organizations that assist with SNAP appeals.

If you want legal advice or representation, it is usually best to contact legal aid as soon as you receive a notice you disagree with, to avoid missing deadlines.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Minnesota Channels

Because SNAP is a government program, it is important to deal only with official offices and portals, especially when appealing.

Tips to stay safe:

• Do not pay anyone who claims they can “guarantee approval” or “fix your case” for a fee. SNAP decisions are based on rules, not payments to third parties.
• Use contact information from:
  • Official Minnesota Department of Human Services materials
  • Your county or tribal human services office
  • The notice of action or hearing rights you received
• If you’re unsure if a website or phone number is official:
  • Call your county or tribal office using a phone number from a phone book, government directory, or other trusted public source.
  • Ask them to confirm the correct official portal or address for appeals.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site and cannot file appeals, check the status of your case, or make changes to your benefits. Any appeal or fair hearing request must go through official Minnesota SNAP channels, usually your county or tribal human services office or the state hearing office listed on your notice.

If You Don’t Qualify or Your Appeal Is Denied

If your SNAP appeal does not go your way, or you do not qualify for SNAP, you may still have options for food assistance:

• Local food shelves / food pantries
• Community meals offered by churches, community centers, and nonprofits
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – for eligible pregnant/postpartum individuals and young children
• School meal programs – free or reduced-price meals for qualifying students
• Senior nutrition programs – such as congregate meals or home-delivered meals for older adults

You can call 211 or contact your county human services office to ask about local food resources and other assistance that may be available.

Understanding your rights and the steps in the SNAP fair hearing process in Minnesota can help you respond quickly if you receive a decision you disagree with. Your official SNAP notice and your county or tribal human services office remain your primary sources for exact instructions, deadlines, and contact information.