Monthly news digest from the Department of Human Services
Minnesota Department of Human Services logo [ [link removed] ]
NEWS FROM DHS
*September 2025*
*News from DHS archive [ [link removed] ]*
In this issue:
* Limited initial impact in event of partial federal government shutdown [ #link_3 ]
* Governor Walz issues executive order on additional steps to combat fraud [ #link_4 ]
* Senior LinkAge Line becomes Minnesota Aging Pathways [ #link_1 ]
* In social media: Recovery Month [ #link_5 ]
* Register for Odyssey webinar “2025 Legislative Updates” [ #link_8 ]
* How to stay informed of coming Medicaid changes [ #link_7 ]
* Fact sheet updates [ #link_2 ]
* In the news [ #link_6 ]
________________________________________________________________________
Limited initial impact in event of partial federal government shutdown
The current continuing resolution for the federal budget is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30. If Congress does not pass a budget or another continuing resolution by that time, a partial federal government shutdown will occur.
A short-term shutdown would have limited impact on DHS programs.
We will continue to evaluate impacts and prepare for a possible longer-term shutdown, and communicate with partners and clients as the situation evolves.
Updates will be shared on our website at mn.gov/dhs [ [link removed] ].
________________________________________________________________________
Governor Walz issues executive order on additional steps to combat fraud
On Sept. 17, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order (PDF) [ [link removed] ] directing state agencies to intensify efforts to prevent, detect, and combat fraud across Minnesota government programs.
The order leverages new data sharing laws passed in the 2025 legislative session and builds on significant steps already taken to safeguard public dollars and ensure resources are directed to Minnesotans who need them most.
“We have no tolerance for fraud in the State of Minnesota,” Governor Walz said in a news release [ [link removed] ]. “Abuse of taxpayer dollars takes resources away from the people who need them most. If you commit fraud in Minnesota, you will be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. While we will continue to urge the legislature to take further action, this executive order gives our agencies additional tools to safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
DHS committed to partnering to fight fraud
On Sept. 18, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced charges against several Housing Stabilization Services providers:
Temporary Commissioner Shireen Gandhi said: “The charges announced today are the result of ongoing collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Human Services and our law enforcement partners to root out fraud in state programs and hold criminals accountable. Let today’s actions serve as a warning to anyone who steals from Minnesota taxpayers: you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible by our law enforcement partners.”
________________________________________________________________________
Senior LinkAge Line becomes Minnesota Aging Pathways
MN Aging Pathways logo
For nearly 30 years, the Senior LinkAge Line has been Minnesota’s primary aging resource connecting older Minnesotans, caregivers and others to the services and supports they need.
To reflect the continued growth of this critical work and to better connect with the people served, the resource has been rebranded to *Minnesota Aging Pathways*.
Minnesota Aging Pathways is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota's area agencies on aging.
Minnesota Aging Pathways can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. by calling 800-333-2433 or via live chat online at mn.gov/aging-pathways [ [link removed] ].
________________________________________________________________________
In social media: Recovery Month
Sept 2025 social post
Link to Facebook post shown above [ [link removed] ].
">> Follow DHS on X (formerly Twitter) [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ] f"or timely updates on DHS news and events.""
">> For announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more, follow us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] and the "DHS Careers Facebook page [ [link removed] ].""
________________________________________________________________________
Accessible formats
For accessible formats of this publication, write to
[email protected], or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.
Odyssey Minnesota Age & Disabilities
Register for Odyssey webinar “2025 Legislative Updates”
The third session in this year's Odyssey webinar series, “2025 Legislative Updates,” is set for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14.
During this webinar, DHS and Minnesota Board on Aging staff will review the 2025 legislative session and how it may affect the state’s programs and services for people with disabilities and older adults in Minnesota.
Registration is required [ [link removed] ] by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Subscribe to the Odyssey email list [ [link removed] ] or visit the Odyssey website [ [link removed] ] to receive notice of future events and updates.
________________________________________________________________________
How to stay informed of coming Medicaid changes
Stock photo of a man at a clinic visit with a doctor
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the Federal Reconciliation Bill into law. This new law brings changes to Medicaid, a federal health insurance program called Medical Assistance in Minnesota.
DHS will keep program enrollees and the general public informed about the coming changes so people can plan for themselves and their family if they are affected.
*Nothing has changed yet.* The first changes won’t take effect until fall 2026. This gives DHS time to review the details, get more information from the federal government, and communicate the changes clearly to Minnesotans.
Check our new webpage at *mn.gov/dhs/federalchanges [ [link removed] ]* for the latest updates about how these changes may affect you. We will add content as we get more information.
________________________________________________________________________
Fact sheet updates
The following fact sheets were updated this month:
General Assistance (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________
In the news
newspaper beside a coffee cup
*Three reasons for hope in Minnesota’s recovery landscape:* For Recovery Month, DHS Assistant Commissioner Teresa Steinmetz asked three staff members what gives them hope about the future of recovery in Minnesota. Their answers offer three powerful perspectives. Learn more in an article in The Phoenix Spirt [ [link removed] ].
*Avivo breaks ground on St. Cloud homeless shelter: *Avivo Village broke ground in September on its new homeless shelter in St. Cloud. The project was made possible primarily thanks to over $7 million approved by the state legislature and administered by DHS. Learn more in a KNSI story [ [link removed] ]. * *
*Almanac: Medicaid up North: *Kaomi Lee visits Grand Marais to look at the expected impact of upcoming federal changes to Medicaid. Learn more in a TPT Almanac clip [ [link removed] ].
*Minnesota hospitals, community clinics brace for impact of Medicaid cuts: *For Minnesota, reductions in federal funding will total $1.4 billion in the first four years of the new law. Learn more in a Sahan Journal article [ [link removed] ].
________________________________________________________________________
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].
Stay connected
Minnesota Department of Human Services [ [link removed] ]
Facebook [ [link removed] ] Twitter [ [link removed] ] Youtube [ [link removed] ] LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] Govdelivery [ [link removed] ]
*Subscriber services:*
Manage subscriptions [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________
This email was sent to
[email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Human Services · 540 Cedar St. · Saint Paul, MN 55101 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}
