How to Renew or Recertify SNAP Benefits in Minnesota

Renewing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in Minnesota is called recertification. If you currently receive SNAP, you must complete this process on time to keep your benefits from stopping.

This guide explains, in plain language, how SNAP recertification in Minnesota usually works, what to expect, and how to move forward through official state and county offices. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and cannot process your renewal, but this overview can help you get prepared and avoid common problems.

SNAP Recertification in Minnesota: The Basics

SNAP helps income-eligible individuals and families buy food each month using an EBT card. In Minnesota, SNAP is managed through county and tribal human services offices and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).

Because your income and situation can change over time, you are approved for SNAP for a limited period called a certification period. When that period is ending, you must recertify (renew) to show you still qualify.

Key points:

• SNAP does not renew automatically.
• You will receive a recertification notice from your county or tribal agency.
• You must complete:
  • A recertification form, and
  • Usually an interview, and
  • Provide updated proof of your income and household situation.
• If you miss the deadline, your SNAP benefits may stop.

When Do You Need to Renew SNAP in Minnesota?

Your recertification date depends on your household type and situation, but most Minnesota SNAP households must recertify:

• About every 6–12 months for many adults and families.
• Sometimes less often (for example, some seniors or people with disabilities may have longer certification periods, depending on the case type and rules in place at the time).

You should expect:

• A notice in the mail and/or through the official benefits portal before your certification period ends.
• A recertification packet or instructions that explain:
  • Your due date
  • How to submit your recertification form
  • Whether a phone or in-person interview is required

If you are unsure of your certification end date:

• Check your approval notice,
• Log in to the official Minnesota benefits portal, or
• Call your county or tribal human services office or the state SNAP hotline.

How the SNAP Recertification Process Usually Works

In Minnesota, SNAP renewal generally follows these steps:

1. Watch for Your Recertification Notice

Your county or tribal agency typically sends a notice well before your certification period ends. This may include:

• A recertification form (sometimes called a renewal form)
• Instructions for online, mail, fax, or in-person submission
• A deadline (often the last day of your certification month)

If you moved recently, be sure your mailing address and phone number are updated with your local agency so you don’t miss this notice.

2. Complete the Recertification Form

You usually have several ways to complete the form (options can vary by county):

• Online through the official Minnesota benefits portal
• By mail by returning the paper form
• By fax to your county or tribal office
• In person at your local human services office

On the form, you are typically asked to update:

• Household members (who lives with you and eats together)
• Income for everyone in the household
• Expenses:
  • Rent or mortgage
  • Utilities
  • Childcare or dependent care
  • Certain medical costs for qualifying seniors or people with disabilities
• Assets, when required (depending on your case type)

Tip: Answer every question as completely as you can. If something does not apply, it’s often better to write “N/A” than to leave it blank.

3. Gather Required Documents

You usually need to submit current proof of your situation. Not every household needs every document, but the following are commonly requested:

Proof of identity

• Driver’s license or state ID
• Tribal ID
• Passport or other government-issued photo ID

Proof of income

• Recent pay stubs (often from the last 30 days)
• Letters or statements for:
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Social Security or SSI
  • Pensions
  • Child support received
  • Self-employment income (invoices, logs, tax records)

Proof of expenses

• Rent or mortgage statement or lease
• Recent utility bills (electric, gas, water, trash, phone if applicable)
• Childcare or dependent care receipts or statements
• For eligible households: medical expenses over certain amounts (bills, receipts, pharmacy printouts)

Proof of household

• Birth certificates, if requested
• Social Security numbers, if not already on file
• School enrollment or child support orders, in some situations

Your county or tribal worker can tell you exactly what is required for your case.

4. Submit Your Form and Documents

Turn in your recertification form and any requested documents by the deadline printed on your notice.

Common submission methods:

• Upload through the official online portal (if available for you)
• Mail to your county/tribal office (allow mailing time)
• Fax using the number listed on your notice
• Drop-off at the local human services office

Whenever possible, keep copies of everything you submit and write down dates.

5. Complete the Interview

Most SNAP recertifications in Minnesota require an interview. This may be:

• By phone, or
• In person at your local office

Your notice should explain:

• Whether YOU must call to schedule
• Whether the agency will call you
• What time window they may call

During the interview, expect to review:

• Your income and employment
• Household members and living arrangements
• Expenses that affect your benefit amount
• Any changes since your last approval

If you miss a scheduled interview call or appointment, contact your local office as soon as possible to reschedule.

6. Wait for Your Recertification Decision

After your form, documents, and interview are completed, your agency will:

• Review your information
• Decide if you still qualify and, if so, how much you will receive
• Send you a notice of decision

If your renewal is approved without a break, your EBT card should continue to be loaded, usually starting the month after your current certification period ends.

Important Deadlines and Timelines

Missing deadlines is one of the most common reasons people temporarily lose SNAP.

Here is a simplified overview:

To help avoid a gap in benefits:

• Try to submit your form as soon as you receive it.
• Respond quickly if your worker asks for additional information.
• Answer calls from numbers you recognize as your county or tribal office, especially around renewal time.

If you miss the deadline and your benefits stop, ask your local office about whether you can reopen your case quickly by turning in late information or whether you must start a new application. Rules can depend on how much time has passed.

Who Typically Qualifies at Recertification

To keep getting SNAP in Minnesota, your household generally must still meet:

• Income limits (based on household size and gross or net income rules)
• Citizenship or immigration requirements
• Residency in Minnesota
• Work-related rules for some adults without dependents, if applicable

Some households will have simpler recertification if everyone is:

• Age 60 or older, and/or
• Receiving disability-related benefits

Because rules can change, your county or tribal office is the best source for the most current eligibility guidelines.

Common Reasons SNAP Renewals Are Delayed or Denied

People in Minnesota often run into problems at recertification for reasons such as:

• Late or missing forms
  • The recertification form is not turned in by the due date.
• Missed interviews
  • You do not answer the phone or miss an appointment and do not reschedule.
• Missing documents
  • Pay stubs, rent receipts, or other requested proof are never submitted.
• Unclear or conflicting information
  • Income, household size, or address on the form does not match what’s on file or what documents show.
• Income too high
  • Your new income may be above SNAP limits for your household size.

If your recertification is denied or closed, the decision notice should explain the reason and may describe your appeal or re-application options.

How to Check the Status of Your SNAP Renewal

You cannot check your status through HowToGetAssistance.org, but you may be able to:

• Log in to the official Minnesota benefits portal to see messages or case status.
• Call your county or tribal human services office and ask to speak with your SNAP worker or a case management line.
• Call the state SNAP or benefits hotline listed on your notice.

When you call, it helps to have:

• Your case number (if available)
• Your full name and date of birth
• The approximate date you submitted your recertification form

What If Your SNAP Benefits Stop After Recertification?

If your benefits stop, it does not always mean you are permanently ineligible. Common scenarios include:

1. You Missed the Deadline but Still Qualify

Sometimes, if you turn in your paperwork soon after the deadline, your local agency may be able to reopen your case without a full new application. This depends on timing and state rules in effect. Ask your worker if reinstatement is possible.

2. You Are Denied but Disagree with the Decision

If you believe the decision is wrong, you usually have the right to:

• Request an appeal or fair hearing by the deadline shown on your notice.
• Provide additional documents or information to support your case.

To start this process, follow the instructions in the denial or closure notice, or contact your county/tribal office and ask about the appeal process for SNAP in Minnesota.

3. You No Longer Qualify

If your income or situation changed and you no longer meet SNAP rules, the agency may close your case. In that situation, you may want to:

• Ask if the worker can explain how the decision was calculated.
• See if there are other programs you might qualify for, such as:
  • Food shelves or food pantries
  • WIC (for pregnant people, new parents, and young children)
  • Local emergency assistance for housing or utilities (varies by county)
• Dial 211 (by phone) in Minnesota to get directed to local food and basic-needs resources.

Tips to Make Minnesota SNAP Recertification Easier

Here are practical ways to avoid issues:

• Start early: As soon as you get the notice, begin filling out the form and gathering proof.
• Keep a folder: Store pay stubs, rent receipts, and key letters in one place so renewal is faster.
• Update contact information: Report changes in address or phone number to your agency right away.
• Write things down: Note when you mailed, faxed, uploaded, or dropped off documents, and keep copies.
• Call if you’re unsure: If any question on the form is confusing, call your county or tribal office and ask how they want it answered.
• Report major changes promptly: Income or household changes may need to be reported before your recertification date; your approval notice explains your reporting rules.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official SNAP Channels

Because SNAP is a government program, renewals must always go through official offices or portals, not through private websites like this one.

To protect yourself:

• Use only:
  • The official Minnesota benefits website (listed on state agency materials)
  • County or tribal human services offices
  • Phone numbers on official notices or from the Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Be cautious of:
  • Websites that ask for fees to “guarantee” SNAP approval
  • Texts, emails, or calls asking for your EBT PIN, full Social Security number, or bank info outside of the official application process
• If in doubt:
  • Call your local county or tribal office directly and ask if a message or website is legitimate.
  • You can also dial 211 for help identifying official local assistance resources.

Remember: HowToGetAssistance.org provides general guidance only. You cannot recertify, check your SNAP case, or submit documents through this site. All official actions must go through Minnesota’s state and local agencies.

By understanding how Minnesota SNAP recertification works, what documents to prepare, and how to meet deadlines, you can better navigate your renewal through your official county, tribal, or state benefits channels and reduce the chances of an unexpected gap in your food assistance.