Poverty Law I: Housing and Government Benefits Law - Fall 2025

Thursdays 9:05 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. in Mondale Hall 5

Professors Larry McDonough and Brianna (Breezy) Boone

Week

Date

First Half

Second Half

1

9/4

Introduction to Poverty Law

Overview of Class and Materials

Understanding Poverty

Professor McDonough and Professor Boone

The Law of Government Benefits, Measuring Poverty, and Getting Benefits

Professor Boone


Optional Listening: Busted America's Poverty Myths, On the Media, Episodes 1 & 2


In Class: Combined Application Exercise

2

9/11

What Does a Government Benefits Attorney Actually Do?

Professor Boone


In Class: Combined Manual Scavenger Hunt


Combined Manual


Optional Listening:

Busted America's Poverty Myths, On the Media:, Episodes 3 & 4

Cash Programs for Individuals with Disabilities (SSI and Social Security)

Professor Boone


Social Security Act: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1381-1383f


SSI Regulations: 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.101 – 2227


Required Reading:

National Public Radio, These Disabled People Tried to Play by the Rules. It Cost Them Their Federal Benefits, June 8, 2024


In Class: SSI Exercise and Hypotheticals

3

9/18

Food Programs (SNAP)

Professor Boone


7 C.F.R. §§ 271.1 - 274.8


Required Reading:

A Quick Guide to SNAP Eligibility and Benefits, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, September 30, 2024


In Class: SNAP Exercise and Hypotheticals


Cash Programs for Single Adults (GA and MSA)

Professor Boone


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256D


Required Reading:

Minnesota Supplemental Aid, Law Help MN


In Class: GA and MSA Exercise and Hypotheticals


4

9/25

Cash Programs from Families with Children (MFIP)

Professor Boone


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256J

Minn. Stat. Ch. 256P


Required Reading:

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Legislative History, Congressional Research Services, Version 27, April 2, 2024


In Class: MFIP Household Hypotheticals; 5-Year Exercise and Hypotheticals


Cash Programs from Families with Children (MFIP)

Professor Boone


Continued


5

10/2

Medical Benefits (MA, MinnesotaCare, and Home and Community Based Services)

Professor Boone


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256B


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256L


Required Reading:

MA Waiver Programs, Disability Hub

Medical Benefits (MA, MinnesotaCare, and Home and Community Based Services)

Professor Boone


In Class: Medical Assistance Exercise and Hypotheticals.



6

10/9

Emergency Cash and Food Assistance (EA, EGA, and Expedited SNAP)

Professor Boone


Required Reading:

Emergency General Assistance, Law Help MN


Expedited SNAP, Law Help MN

Other Government Benefits Programs: Child Care Assistance and Housing Support


Minn. Stat. Ch. CHAPTER 119B


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256I




6 ½

10/10

REMOTE


Disability Accommodations

Professor Boone

REMOTE


Current Issues in Government Benefits


Research Problem #1 Handed Out


7

10/16

NO CLASS

NO CLASS

7 ½

10/17

NO CLASS


Research Problem # 1 Due at 9:05 a.m. via email to Professor Boone 


NO CLASS

7

10/23

Housing Introduction

Professor McDonough


Tenants' Rights in Minnesota, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition


Housing: 2023, 2024 AND 2025 Legislation


Get Ready for 2024 - Landlord and Tenant Law Is Changing!


2024 Legislative Session Recap


Small Changes in Minnesota Landlord and Tenant Law for 2026 (Some in 2025)

8

10/30

NO CLASS


9

11/6

Housing: Eviction Overview

Professor McDonough


Read

Summary of Eviction Actions and Court Procedure

Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota I.B.


Skim

McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapters I - V and Answer Form A1


Housing: Eviction Service Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, §§ A-C and Answer Form A1


Read service defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.C table of contents and text for more information.


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


10

11/13

Housing: Eviction Precondition Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota Chapter VI, § D and Answer Form A1


Read precondition defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.D table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing).


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


Housing: Eviction Rent Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, § E and Answer Form A1


Read rent defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.E table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing).


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant

11a

11/19

6:30 p.m.

Zoom meeting

https://umn.zoom.us/j/94751135562?pwd=bU67iuUVmKgqug47jWUhqjRRh9jl5C.1

Meeting ID: 947 5113 5562

Passcode: kbpp5G


Housing: Eviction Notice Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, § F and Answer Form A1


Read notice defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.F table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing).


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


Zoom meeting

https://umn.zoom.us/j/94751135562?pwd=bU67iuUVmKgqug47jWUhqjRRh9jl5C.1

Meeting ID: 947 5113 5562

Passcode: kbpp5G


Housing: Eviction Breach Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, § G and Answer Form A1


Read breach defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.G table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing)


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


11b

11/20

Housing: Eviction Relief, Post Trial Issues and Settlement

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter I §R., Chapters VII - IX


Read relief in Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota Chapters VII - IX table of contents and text for more information.


Housing: Security Deposits

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Security Deposits in Minnesota


Housing: Other Landlord and Tenant Actions


Read the forms for emergency tenant remedies actions, rent escrow actions, and tenant remedies actions and skim Chapter XII §§ B.0-3 table of contents and text for more information.


Habitability Website


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter XII.B


Research Problem #2 Handed Out


12

11/27


Thanksgiving (No Class)


12 ½

11/28

NO CLASS


Research Problem # 2 Due at 5:00 p.m. via email to Professor McDonough 


NO CLASS

13

12/4

Readability/Plain English Lecture

Professor Boone


Complete surveys and provide class feedback


Professor McDonough and Professor Boone