Free help lines in Minnesota

State and local agencies that help older adults and their families in Minnesota. Calling them is free.

ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.

In an emergency, call 911.

Read the Minnesota benefits guide

Minnesota agencies

Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs

Medical Assistance and Medicare Savings Programs

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Food help (SNAP)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on mnbenefits.mn.gov

Free Medicare counseling

Minnesota Aging Pathways (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)

Minnesota Board on Aging

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Aging services and local help

Minnesota Aging Pathways (Aging and Disability Resource Center)

Minnesota Board on Aging

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Help with energy bills

Energy Assistance Program

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Report abuse, neglect or exploitation

Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC)

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Nursing home and assisted living complaints

Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care

Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Report Medicare fraud and billing errors

Minnesota Senior Medicare Patrol

Minnesota Board on Aging

Checked 2026-10-18 on smpresource.org

Insurance questions and complaints

Consumer Services (insurance complaints)

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Checked 2026-10-18 on mn.gov

Scams and consumer complaints

Consumer Assistance

Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Checked 2026-10-18 on www.ag.state.mn.us

National help lines

Social Security national line

Social Security Administration

Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.

Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.

Checked on www.ssa.gov

1-800-MEDICARE

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.

This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.

Checked on www.medicare.gov

Medicare quality help line (QIO)

Commence Health

Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care.

Checked on www.commencehealthqio.cms.gov

Eldercare Locator

U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)

Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.

TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.

Checked on eldercare.acl.gov

National Elder Fraud Hotline

U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime

For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.

Checked on www.justice.gov

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)

Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.

Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.

Checked on 988lifeline.org

See all national help lines

Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18