CFSS, explained

What is CFSS?

Community First Services and Supports is Minnesota's Medicaid-funded program for people who need help with daily living at home. Here's everything you need to know.

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The basics

CFSS 101

CFSS lets eligible Minnesotans receive paid support for everyday activities — bathing, cooking, mobility, errands, and more — so they can keep living independently in their own home and community. It's run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and paid for through Medical Assistance.

What changed in 2024

CFSS replaced PCA and CSG

October 1, 2024

On October 1, 2024, CFSS officially replaced two older programs: Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG). If you were on either of those programs, you're being transitioned to CFSS — and you'll need a new Service Plan. We help with that.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for CFSS if you:

Have Medical Assistance (MA) in Minnesota
Have a disability, chronic condition, or need help with daily activities
Have completed (or are scheduled for) a MnCHOICES assessment
Live in a community setting (not a hospital or institution)

Note: This is general information. Your final eligibility is determined by your MnCHOICES assessment, not by us. We're happy to walk you through the process during your free consultation.

What CFSS covers

CFSS funds support for two broad categories of daily activities. Workers can help with any combination of these, based on your assessed needs.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Bathing and grooming
Dressing
Eating
Mobility and transfers
Toileting
Positioning

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Meal preparation
Light housekeeping and laundry
Shopping for essentials
Money management
Medication reminders
Transportation to appointments

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is CFSS different from the old PCA program?

CFSS gives you more choice in how services are delivered (you can pick the Agency Model or the Budget Model), and the Budget Model lets you pay family members as your workers — something PCA limited.

Does CFSS cost me anything?

CFSS is funded by Medical Assistance (Medicaid), so eligible recipients typically pay nothing for the service itself. Your monthly MA spenddown, if any, is unaffected.

Can I keep my current PCA worker?

In most cases, yes. Your existing worker can continue with you under CFSS, though they may need to complete updated training depending on the model you choose.

Can family members be my paid workers?

Yes — under the Budget Model, most family members can be hired and paid. The Agency Model has more restrictions. We walk you through the rules during your consultation.

How long does it take to get approved?

From your first call with us to a finished Service Plan: about 2 weeks. State approval and authorization typically follows within a few additional weeks.

What if I want to switch models later?

You can switch between the Agency and Budget models. We'll help you make the change without any gap in your services.

Do I need a case manager to access CFSS?

Not always — but if you have a county case manager or care coordinator, we'll work directly with them so the process is smooth.

I don't speak English well. Can you still help me?

Yes. Our team and materials are available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Just pick your language at the top of the page.

Have questions about your situation?

Book a free 20-minute call. We'll answer everything specific to you.

Start your intake Call us: (612) 450-2856