How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Minnesota
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Minnesota-specific and federal payment sources that can pay for, reimburse, offset, or help plan for home care. Some are direct payment sources; others are indirect supports that reduce the amount of private home care a family must buy. Minnesota's strongest state-specific pathways include the Elderly Waiver, Alternative Care, Essential Community Supports, Community First Services and Supports (CFSS), Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) under the disability waivers, and caregiver-support and self-directed grants, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Minnesota veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver
Elderly Waiver (EW)
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid HCBS for people age 65+ who meet nursing-home level of care and choose to live in the community; can authorize a broad package of home and community supports.
Who qualifies: Age 65+; Medical Assistance eligibility; nursing-home level of care through MnCHOICES; services must be authorized and cost-effective compared with nursing-facility care.
How to start: Contact the county/Tribal nation or managed care organization for a MnCHOICES assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes via CFSS or CDCS
EW Home Care / CFSS
YesHelps pay for: EW can supplement state-plan home care and can include PCA/CFSS or extended home-care supports when assessed and authorized.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility plus home-care/CFSS eligibility and service-plan authorization; program limits and non-duplication rules apply.
How to start: Ask the EW care coordinator whether CFSS or extended home care should be included in the plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes under qualifying CFSS arrangements
EW Homemaker & Individual Community Living Supports (ICLS)
Yes / supportive careHelps pay for: Can fund homemaker and ICLS supports such as household tasks, cueing, skill support and assistance that helps an older adult remain safely in the community.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility, assessed need and authorization in the care plan; provider and service-definition rules apply.
How to start: Discuss daily-living and home-management needs during care planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage unless another self-directed option is used
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Self-Direction
EW Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
YesHelps pay for: Lets an EW participant use an individualized budget to design supports, hire workers and purchase approved nontraditional supports, therapies, assistive technology and modifications.
Who qualifies: Must be eligible for EW and choose CDCS; an approved community support plan, budget and financial-management support are required.
How to start: Tell the EW care coordinator/case manager you want to explore CDCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - parents and spouses may be hired subject to CDCS rules
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Caregiver Support
EW Family Caregiver Services & Respite
Yes - respite/supportHelps pay for: Can provide family-caregiver supports and respite that reduce caregiver burden and may substitute for some privately paid care hours.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility; assessed caregiver need; service must be authorized and locally available.
How to start: Ask the EW care coordinator about family caregiver services and respite.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage; self-directed options may be separate
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Nutrition
EW Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover approved home-delivered meals, reducing food costs and caregiver time spent preparing meals.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility and assessed need; meal service must be authorized in the plan.
How to start: Ask the EW care coordinator to assess meal needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Safety
EW Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover an approved emergency-response system that supports independent living and may reduce paid supervision needs.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility, assessed need and plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the EW care coordinator about PERS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Support Services
EW Chore & Non-Medical Transportation
Partial / offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund authorized chore services and non-medical transportation, reducing household and caregiver workload.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility and assessed need; services must be authorized and follow provider/service rules.
How to start: Discuss household maintenance and transportation needs with the EW care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Accessibility
EW Environmental Accessibility Adaptations & Specialized Equipment
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund qualifying home accessibility adaptations, specialized equipment and supplies that support safe community living.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility; item/modification must address assessed need, be allowable and be approved before purchase/work.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator for an accessibility/equipment assessment before purchasing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Medicaid / Elderly Waiver / Transition
EW Transitional Services
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can help with allowable one-time items and services needed to establish a community residence when transitioning from certain settings.
Who qualifies: EW eligibility and transition criteria; expenses must be allowable, necessary and authorized.
How to start: Ask the discharge planner and EW care coordinator about transitional services before the move.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Aging / State-Funded HCBS
Alternative Care (AC)
YesHelps pay for: State-funded HCBS program for certain Minnesotans age 65+ who meet nursing-home level of care but are not yet financially eligible for Medical Assistance; offers many services similar to EW.
Who qualifies: Age 65+; nursing-home level of care; low income/assets under AC rules; not financially eligible for MA; community living and program cost-effectiveness requirements apply.
How to start: Request a long-term care/MnCHOICES assessment through the county or Tribal nation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes via CFSS or CDCS
Essential Community Supports (ECS)
Partial / supportive servicesHelps pay for: Provides a limited monthly package of community supports for certain adults age 65+ who need help to live independently but do not meet nursing-facility level of care.
Who qualifies: Age 65+; not eligible for MA; does not meet nursing-facility level of care; lives in own home/apartment; meets AC financial criteria. Current DHS page states up to $613/month.
How to start: Contact the county/Tribal nation for assessment or Minnesota Aging Pathways for navigation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Minnesota Aging / Alternative Care / Self-Direction
AC Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
YesHelps pay for: Lets an eligible AC participant self-direct an individualized budget, hire workers and purchase approved supports tailored to assessed needs.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for Alternative Care and choose CDCS; approved support plan, budget and FMS requirements apply.
How to start: Ask the AC case manager/care coordinator to explain CDCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - parents and spouses may be hired subject to CDCS rules
Minnesota Aging / Alternative Care
AC Home Care / CFSS
YesHelps pay for: Alternative Care can coordinate authorized home-care supports, including CFSS for eligible participants, to help maintain community living.
Who qualifies: AC eligibility plus CFSS/home-care eligibility and authorization; AC participants using PCA were required to transition to CFSS by March 31, 2026.
How to start: Ask the AC care coordinator about CFSS and other in-home options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes under qualifying CFSS arrangements
AC Homemaker & Chore Services
Yes / supportive careHelps pay for: Can fund authorized homemaker and chore supports that reduce household workload and help an older adult remain at home.
Who qualifies: AC eligibility; assessed need, service authorization and local provider availability apply.
How to start: Discuss housekeeping, home-management and maintenance needs during the assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage
Minnesota Aging / Alternative Care / Caregiver Support
AC Family Caregiver Services & Respite
Yes - respite/supportHelps pay for: Can provide caregiver support and respite for eligible participants, reducing unpaid caregiver burden and private-pay care needs.
Who qualifies: AC eligibility, assessed need and authorization; local provider availability applies.
How to start: Ask the AC case manager about caregiver support and respite.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage; CDCS/CFSS may be separate pathways
Minnesota Aging / Alternative Care / Cost Offset
AC Meals / PERS / Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Approved meal, emergency-response and transportation supports can reduce household spending and paid caregiver hours.
Who qualifies: AC eligibility and assessed need; each service must be allowed and authorized.
How to start: Review meal, safety and transportation needs in the AC service plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Aging / Essential Community Supports
ECS Community Living Assistance
Partial / supportive careHelps pay for: Can fund community-living assistance to support day-to-day independence for an eligible older adult.
Who qualifies: ECS eligibility and assessed need; service authorization and program cap apply.
How to start: Ask the ECS case manager whether community living assistance fits assessed needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
ECS Homemaker & Chore
Partial / supportive careHelps pay for: Can pay for allowable homemaker and chore services, reducing household workload and supporting safe aging in place.
Who qualifies: ECS eligibility, assessed need and program cap; provider availability varies.
How to start: Discuss home-management needs during ECS planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Aging / Essential Community Supports / Caregiver
ECS Family Caregiver Services
Caregiver support / cost offsetHelps pay for: Can support an unpaid family caregiver through allowable caregiver services, helping sustain care at home.
Who qualifies: ECS eligibility and assessed caregiver/service need; subject to monthly program cap and local availability.
How to start: Ask the ECS case manager about family caregiver services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing wage
Minnesota Aging / Essential Community Supports / Cost Offset
ECS Home-Delivered Meals & PERS
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund home-delivered meals and/or a personal emergency response system, preserving household resources and reducing supervision needs.
Who qualifies: ECS eligibility and assessed need; services count toward the program limit.
How to start: Ask the ECS case manager about meal and safety supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Medicaid / Self-Direction
Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
YesHelps pay for: State home- and community-based benefit replacing PCA and CSG; can fund assistance with daily living and health-related tasks, plus newer flexible supports.
Who qualifies: Must live in the community, be able to direct care or have a representative, have qualifying MA/waiver/AC or certain MinnesotaCare coverage, and be assessed eligible.
How to start: Request an assessment through the county/Tribe/MCO; then choose a consultation services provider and model.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - qualifying family members may serve as workers
Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
YesHelps pay for: Self-directed service option available under AC and the BI, CAC, CADI, DD and Elderly waivers; lets participants control a budget, hire workers and buy approved individualized supports.
Who qualifies: Must be eligible for AC or an eligible waiver; approved CDCS community support plan, budget and financial-management services are required.
How to start: Ask the waiver/AC case manager or care coordinator to elect CDCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - can hire parents and spouses
Minnesota Medicaid / CFSS
CFSS Agency Provider Model
YesHelps pay for: A CFSS provider agency employs workers while the participant retains substantial choice over workers, scheduling and service delivery.
Who qualifies: CFSS eligibility; approved service delivery plan; agency enrollment and worker requirements apply.
How to start: Choose the agency provider model with the consultation services provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - spouse/parent of minor may work subject to CFSS rules
Minnesota Medicaid / CFSS / Self-Direction
CFSS Budget Model
YesHelps pay for: Participant uses an authorized budget and serves as employer of workers, with financial management services handling payroll/tax functions.
Who qualifies: CFSS eligibility; participant or representative must assume employer responsibilities; FMS and approved service plan required.
How to start: Choose the budget model during CFSS consultation and select an FMS provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - spouse/parent of minor may work subject to CFSS rules
Minnesota Medicaid / Paid Family Caregiver
CFSS Paid Spouse or Parent of a Minor
YesHelps pay for: Minnesota permits a participant's spouse or the parent of a minor participant to be paid as a CFSS support worker in either service model, subject to program rules.
Who qualifies: Worker must meet CFSS qualifications and cannot also fill a conflicting representative role; special service/pay limits and plan rules apply.
How to start: Tell the consultation provider/agency or FMS that a spouse or parent is proposed as the worker.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - explicit spouse/parent pathway
Minnesota Medicaid / CFSS / Flexible Supports
CFSS Goods and Services
Offsets care costHelps pay for: CFSS can allow approved goods and services tied to assessed needs and the service delivery plan, offering flexibility beyond direct worker hours.
Who qualifies: CFSS eligibility; goods/services must satisfy program criteria and be included in an approved plan/budget.
How to start: Identify needed goods/services during CFSS consultation before purchase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
Minnesota Medicaid / CFSS / Safety
CFSS Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: CFSS can cover an approved PERS, which can support independence and reduce supervision needs.
Who qualifies: CFSS eligibility and authorization in the service delivery plan.
How to start: Ask the consultation provider to include PERS if it addresses assessed need.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Medicaid / Transition
Personal Care Assistance / PCA Choice - Legacy Transition
YesHelps pay for: PCA continues temporarily for people still transitioning to CFSS; PCA workers assist with covered daily living and health-related tasks, and PCA Choice gives the participant more worker-management responsibility.
Who qualifies: Existing PCA eligibility/authorization; Minnesota is transitioning users to CFSS. Extended PCA ends Sept. 30, 2026.
How to start: If still on PCA, work with the county/Tribe/MCO at reassessment to complete the CFSS transition.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - spouses and parents of minors may be paid under current transition rules
Consumer Support Grant (CSG) - Legacy Transition
Yes / legacyHelps pay for: CSG historically allowed people to buy supports and hire workers; it is ending as participants move to CFSS and is no longer a new-selection option.
Who qualifies: Existing CSG participant in transition; new participants generally use CFSS instead. Remaining eligible users must transition by Sept. 30, 2026.
How to start: Work with the county/Tribe at reassessment to transition to CFSS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - spouse or parent of minor may be hired while eligible program remains active
Minnesota Medicaid / Disability Waiver
Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS waiver for people with acquired or traumatic brain injury who meet applicable institutional level-of-care criteria; can authorize community supports and CDCS.
Who qualifies: Medical Assistance; qualifying brain injury and waiver level-of-care/assessment criteria; under age 65 when the waiver is opened under current program rules.
How to start: Request a MnCHOICES/waiver assessment from the county or Tribal nation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes through CDCS when elected, subject to rules
Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS waiver for people with disabilities who require nursing-facility level of care; can fund community services and offers CDCS self-direction.
Who qualifies: Medical Assistance; disability certification; nursing-facility level of care; assessed need beyond other funding sources; under 65 when waiver opens.
How to start: Request a waiver assessment through the county or Tribal nation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes through CDCS when elected, subject to rules
Community Alternative Care (CAC) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS waiver for chronically ill/medically fragile children and adults who require hospital level of care; supports care in home/community and offers CDCS.
Who qualifies: Medical Assistance; disability certification; hospital level of care; community choice; under age 65 when waiver opens.
How to start: Request a CAC assessment through the county or Tribal nation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes through CDCS when elected, subject to rules
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS waiver for people with developmental disabilities or related conditions who need ICF/DD level of care; can fund extensive supports and CDCS.
Who qualifies: Qualifying developmental disability/related condition, Medical Assistance and ICF/DD level-of-care criteria; assessed needs and service authorization apply.
How to start: Request a MnCHOICES/DD waiver assessment from the county or Tribal nation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes through CDCS when elected, subject to rules
Minnesota Medicaid / Medical Home Care
Medical Assistance Home Care Nursing (HCN)
Yes - skilled nursingHelps pay for: Can cover medically necessary, physician-ordered ongoing RN/LPN nursing in the home when needs exceed what PCA/CFSS or home health aide services can provide.
Who qualifies: Medical Assistance/qualifying coverage; medical necessity; nursing authorization/service plan and enrolled provider requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and home-care agency/MCO about HCN assessment and authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Family may sometimes serve if licensed/qualified; spouse/parent/guardian requires hardship pathway
MA Home Health Aide, Skilled Nursing Visits & Therapies
Yes - skilled/home healthHelps pay for: Medical Assistance home care can cover home health aide, skilled nursing visits and qualifying occupational, physical, respiratory and speech therapy, plus equipment/supplies.
Who qualifies: MA or qualifying MinnesotaCare coverage; medical necessity, provider order/service plan and authorization rules apply.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician or enrolled home-health provider to determine covered home-care services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage
Minnesota Medicaid / Paid Family Nurse
Home Care Nursing Hardship Waiver
Yes - skilled nursingHelps pay for: Allows certain legally responsible relatives - including a spouse, parent of a minor, legal guardian or conservator - to provide paid HCN when hardship criteria are met.
Who qualifies: Care recipient must be MA-eligible and authorized for HCN. Family caregiver must be a Minnesota RN/LPN, employed by a qualifying agency, pass background requirements and meet hardship criteria. Not available with CDCS.
How to start: Have the HCN/home-health agency submit the hardship request to DHS or the MCO.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - if the family caregiver is a qualifying RN/LPN and waiver is approved
Minnesota Medicaid / Working with Disability
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)
Coverage pathwayHelps pay for: Lets many working people with disabilities retain Medical Assistance, including home care and other LTSS coverage, even when income/assets exceed regular MA limits.
Who qualifies: Certified disability; employment/earnings rules; premium and any unearned-income obligation. Current DHS information states no income limit and no asset limit for MA-EPD.
How to start: Contact Disability Hub MN and apply using the MA application for certain populations through the county/Tribe.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on underlying covered service
Minnesota Medicaid + Medicare / Integrated Care
Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO)
Yes through covered benefitsHelps pay for: Voluntary integrated Medicare/Medical Assistance program for eligible adults 65+; health-plan care coordination can integrate Elderly Waiver HCBS, home health, PCA/CFSS and other covered services.
Who qualifies: Age 65+; eligible for MA and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B; must live where an MSHO plan is offered.
How to start: Contact an MSHO plan, county/Tribe or Minnesota Aging Pathways.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on the underlying service
Minnesota Medicaid / Managed Care
Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+)
Yes through covered benefitsHelps pay for: Medicaid managed-care delivery system for many adults age 65+; works with Elderly Waiver to integrate community-based long-term services and supports.
Who qualifies: Applies to covered MA populations age 65+ under state managed-care rules; EW eligibility remains separately assessed.
How to start: Use the assigned health plan/care coordinator or county/Tribe for LTSS questions.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on the underlying service
Minnesota Medicaid / Institutional Transition
Moving Home Minnesota (Money Follows the Person)
Offsets transition/care costHelps pay for: Enhanced transition benefit for eligible people moving from institutions to the community; may help with transition planning, deposits/moving costs, home modifications, DME, overnight assistance and other supports.
Who qualifies: Medical Assistance and generally at least 90 days in a qualifying institution; transition must meet program requirements. Services may continue up to a year after the move.
How to start: Ask the facility discharge planner, county/Tribe or case manager about Moving Home Minnesota.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Relocation Service Coordination (RSC-TCM)
Care coordination / cost offsetHelps pay for: Targeted case management that helps eligible MA members plan and arrange a move from certain institutions into the community.
Who qualifies: Must choose community living, have MA, live in an eligible institution and meet program rules regarding HCBS waiver status.
How to start: Request RSC-TCM from the local county/Tribal nation; under-65 nursing-facility residents can also request it through MnCHOICES.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Disability / Family Grant
Family Support Grant (FSG)
Indirect / flexible disability supportHelps pay for: State cash, voucher or vendor-payment grants can offset disability-related expenses for eligible families of children/young adults with certified disabilities and help prevent out-of-home placement.
Who qualifies: Qualifying child/young adult with certified disability living in or returning to family home; income and non-duplication rules apply. Cannot be used concurrently with certain HCBS waiver/PCA/CFSS-related benefits.
How to start: Apply through the local county or Tribal nation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Family receives grant support, not an hourly caregiver wage
Minnesota Aging / Caregiver Support
Family Caregiver Support Program
Partial / respite / cost offsetHelps pay for: Minnesota aging-network caregiver supports can include information/referral, skills classes, caregiver consulting, self-directed grants and limited respite.
Who qualifies: Eligibility varies by caregiver/care-recipient situation and Older Americans Act/local funding; services are often limited and availability varies.
How to start: Call Minnesota Aging Pathways for the local caregiver-support provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing wage
Caregiver Consultant
Offsets care-navigation burdenHelps pay for: A Caregiver Consultant can assess caregiver needs, provide individualized coaching and connect families with respite, education and local supports.
Who qualifies: Availability and any cost vary by community; generally aimed at unpaid family/friend caregivers.
How to start: Call Minnesota Aging Pathways to locate a Caregiver Consultant.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Aging / Caregiver Grant
Self-Directed Caregiver Grants
Caregiver cost offset / limited respiteHelps pay for: Local aging-network grants can give eligible family caregivers flexibility to purchase approved respite, services or supports that help sustain caregiving.
Who qualifies: Availability, amount, allowable purchases and caregiver eligibility vary by local grantee and funding.
How to start: Call Minnesota Aging Pathways and ask for caregiver grants in the caregiver's area.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not an ongoing salary
Minnesota Aging / Dementia Caregiver
Dementia Caregiver Respite & Support Grants
Limited respite / cost offsetHelps pay for: State/local dementia-caregiver initiatives and aging-network grantees may offer limited respite, education, coaching or other caregiver supports.
Who qualifies: Program/grantee-specific dementia, caregiver, geography and funding criteria apply; this is not a guaranteed statewide cash entitlement.
How to start: Ask Minnesota Aging Pathways or a Caregiver Consultant about current dementia respite resources.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing wage
Minnesota Aging / Nutrition
Senior Nutrition / Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Local senior nutrition programs provide dining and home-delivered meals, reducing food spending and caregiver meal-preparation time.
Who qualifies: Generally serves older adults under Older Americans Act/local program rules; home-delivered meal eligibility typically considers homebound/functional need and local criteria.
How to start: Call Minnesota Aging Pathways for the local nutrition provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Minnesota Aging / Transportation & Local Supports
Aging Network Transportation & Local Support Services
Offsets care/household costHelps pay for: Area agencies and local aging providers may offer or coordinate transportation, chore, homemaker and other community supports that reduce caregiver workload and out-of-pocket spending.
Who qualifies: Service availability, age criteria, cost share and funding vary by county and provider.
How to start: Use Minnesota Aging Pathways to identify local programs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually no
Minnesota Employment / Caregiver Income
Minnesota Paid Leave
Offsets caregiver lost incomeHelps pay for: Provides wage-replacement payments and job protections to eligible workers who need time away from work for their own health or to care for a qualifying family member.
Who qualifies: Employment, earnings, qualifying family/medical event and certification requirements apply; benefit began in 2026.
How to start: Apply through Minnesota Paid Leave when a qualifying leave is needed.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - wage replacement to eligible worker, not payment for care hours
Medicare
Medicare Home Health Benefit
Yes - skilled/limited aide careHelps pay for: For qualifying homebound beneficiaries, Medicare can cover intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and certain home health aide services when eligibility and plan-of-care requirements are met.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary; generally homebound and needs qualifying part-time/intermittent skilled care; Medicare does not cover ongoing custodial care alone.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician to certify need and use a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare / Dementia
CMS GUIDE Dementia Model
Care coordination / respiteHelps pay for: Participating GUIDE dementia programs can provide coordinated dementia care, caregiver education/support and certain respite services for eligible Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary with dementia receiving care from a participating GUIDE organization; model-specific eligibility and service limits apply.
How to start: Use CMS/Medicare resources or ask the treating dementia provider whether it participates in GUIDE.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Medicare / Caregiver Training
Medicare Caregiver Training Services
Offsets training costHelps pay for: Medicare may cover caregiver training when it is part of the beneficiary's treatment and helps a caregiver perform necessary care tasks safely.
Who qualifies: Must meet Medicare coverage and practitioner/service requirements; training must relate to the beneficiary's treatment plan.
How to start: Ask the beneficiary's clinician whether caregiver training is appropriate and covered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No wage
Medicare Cost Reduction
Medicare Savings Programs
Offsets household/medical costHelps pay for: Minnesota Medicare Savings Programs can help eligible people pay Medicare premiums and, depending on the program, other Medicare cost sharing, freeing income for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare enrollment plus program-specific income/resource rules; benefits vary by MSP category.
How to start: Contact Minnesota Aging Pathways or local county/Tribe for screening/application help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Food Assistance
SNAP / Food Assistance
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Food benefits reduce grocery spending, preserving household income for home care; older/disabled households may receive special deductions under SNAP rules.
Who qualifies: Household income/resource and federal/state SNAP rules apply; benefit amount varies.
How to start: Apply through Minnesota benefits channels or local county/Tribal human services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Income Support
Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
Indirect cash supportHelps pay for: State cash assistance can supplement income for certain older, blind or disabled Minnesotans, helping with basic needs and preserving other resources for care.
Who qualifies: Program-specific age/disability, income and SSI-related eligibility rules apply.
How to start: Apply through the local county/Tribal human services office.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Utility Assistance
Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Helps eligible households pay heating/electricity costs and may provide additional emergency support, preserving income for caregiving and home care.
Who qualifies: Income and household-size rules apply. The 2025-26 winter application deadline was May 31, 2026; check the local provider for the next program cycle and interim resources.
How to start: Contact the local Energy Assistance provider or Commerce Energy Information Center.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Cost Reduction
Weatherization Assistance Program
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Provides free energy-efficiency and health/safety upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters, potentially lowering recurring utility costs.
Who qualifies: Income eligibility and property/service-provider rules apply; improvements are based on an energy assessment.
How to start: Contact the local Weatherization provider; Minnesota uses a joint energy/weatherization application process in many cases.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Property Tax Relief
Minnesota Property Tax Refund
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Qualifying homeowners can receive property-tax relief based on household income and property taxes, preserving cash for home-care expenses.
Who qualifies: Income, homestead/property-tax and filing rules apply; refund amount varies.
How to start: Review Minnesota Department of Revenue Property Tax Refund eligibility and filing instructions.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Senior Citizens' Property Tax Deferral Program
Offsets household cost / defers taxHelps pay for: Eligible senior homeowners may defer part of homestead property taxes; the state pays the deferred portion to the county as a loan, improving near-term cash flow.
Who qualifies: Age and homestead requirements plus current household-income limit; deferred tax accrues as a state loan/lien and must be repaid.
How to start: Review Department of Revenue eligibility and apply using the senior deferral process.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Private Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Often yesHelps pay for: Depending on the policy, long-term care insurance can reimburse or pay for home health, homemaker, personal care, respite, adult day and other long-term-care services.
Who qualifies: Must own a policy and satisfy benefit triggers, elimination period, covered-provider and other contract terms.
How to start: Review the policy and contact the insurer before hiring care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes - policy-specific; many policies restrict family payment
Private Insurance / Medicaid Planning
Minnesota Long-Term Care Partnership
Yes through policy benefitsHelps pay for: Qualified Partnership long-term-care insurance can pay covered care and provide dollar-for-dollar asset protection if the policyholder later applies for Medical Assistance.
Who qualifies: Must have a Minnesota Partnership-qualified policy and meet its benefit triggers; later MA eligibility rules still apply.
How to start: Confirm Partnership status with the insurer and review MA planning with qualified advisers/Aging Pathways.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Policy-specific
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may authorize a trained community aide to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks in the home.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or primary care team for an assessment/referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family hire under this provider service
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
Directly pays authorized home-care servicesHelps pay for: Contracted aides help with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, mobility and selected daily tasks.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility, clinical criteria, local availability; copay may apply. Minnesota is in CCN Region 2. Ask the serving VA medical center/social worker about local availability.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
Direct home-care budgetHelps pay for: Self-directed HCBS budget for personal assistance; Veteran/representative hires and manages workers.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability. Minnesota Veterans should ask their VA social worker whether VDC is available through the serving VA medical center/community partner.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Veteran-Directed Care (VDC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family/neighbor may be hired subject to rules
VA Skilled Home Health Care
Directly pays authorized skilled careHelps pay for: Skilled nursing, PT/OT/speech therapy, wound care and related home health services through VA/community providers.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, enrollment/community-care eligibility and authorized provider. May be combined with other VA home/community services when clinically appropriate.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Skilled Home Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Respite Care
Directly pays respiteHelps pay for: Short-term in-home aide, adult day health or nursing-home respite so family caregivers can rest or handle other obligations.
Who qualifies: Clinical criteria, enrollment and local availability; community-care eligibility for community providers. Ask the Minnesota VA caregiver support/social work team about available in-home, adult-day or facility respite.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Respite Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Adult Day Health Care
Offsets home-care hours / caregiver respiteHelps pay for: Daytime therapeutic, social, health and personal-care services in VA/community settings.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; clinical need and program availability. Availability varies by VA medical center and contracted community programs.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Adult Day Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Home-Based Primary Care
Medical care at home; can reduce other care burdenHelps pay for: Interdisciplinary primary care delivered in the home for Veterans whose medical complexity makes clinic-based care difficult.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; complex chronic illness/functional need; local program criteria. Ask the serving Minnesota VA medical center about HBPC eligibility and service area.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Home-Based Primary Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Aid & Attendance / Housebound Pension Add-On
Cash benefit can help pay careHelps pay for: Additional monthly pension amount for qualifying Veterans/survivors needing ADL help or meeting housebound criteria.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension and meet Aid & Attendance or Housebound medical/functional rules. Use VA or an accredited representative; do not pay unaccredited claim-preparation fees.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Aid & Attendance / Housebound Pension Add-On.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Indirectly - recipient controls cash
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Direct caregiver stipend + supportsHelps pay for: For eligible Veteran-caregiver teams, provides caregiver training/support and can include a monthly stipend to the approved primary family caregiver.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet PCAFC eligibility, application and assessment requirements. Minnesota VA caregiver support teams can help with local application/support questions.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
Caregiver support; not a stipendHelps pay for: Coaching, peer support, education, skills training and other support for family caregivers of enrolled Veterans.
Who qualifies: Caregiver of an enrolled Veteran receiving care from VA; no formal application for many PGCSS services. Contact the VA Caregiver Support Line or local Minnesota VA caregiver support team.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No stipend
VA Community Care Network (CCN) - Region 2
Pays authorized community providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care network used when VA refers eligible Veterans to community providers, including qualifying home health services.
Who qualifies: VA community-care eligibility and advance referral/authorization generally apply. Minnesota is in CCN Region 2; Optum is the third-party administrator for Regions 1-3.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Community Care Network (CCN) - Region 2.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Caregiver Support Line
Navigation/supportHelps pay for: National line provides caregiver information, referrals, coaching and connections to local VA caregiver support coordinators.
Who qualifies: Caregivers of Veterans; program-specific benefits have separate eligibility rules. Useful entry point when a caregiver is unsure which VA support applies.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Caregiver Support Line.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Hospice & Palliative Care
Directly pays authorized end-of-life/supportive careHelps pay for: VA can provide or purchase hospice/palliative care focused on comfort, symptom management and family support at home or other settings.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA eligibility and care-plan requirements; local/community provider availability. Ask the VA care team for hospice/palliative consultation and authorized options.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Hospice & Palliative Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Benefits / Self-Direction
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Provides a flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; the Veteran/representative hires and manages workers.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical criteria; local program availability.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker whether VDC is available locally.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - a family member or neighbor may be hired subject to program rules
VA Benefits / Cash
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional monthly VA pension payment for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other criteria; cash can be used toward care.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension plus Aid & Attendance criteria; medical and financial rules apply.
How to start: Apply through VA or an accredited representative.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Where Minnesota Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Older-adult services, Medicare/SHIP help, EW/AC/ECS navigation, caregiver support, long-term-care planning and community resources
Minnesota Aging Pathways
Apply/request assessments for EW, AC, ECS, CFSS and disability-waiver/LTSS programs
County / Tribal Human Services & MnCHOICES
Disability-benefit and LTSS navigation, waiver/CFSS questions, MA-EPD and work/benefit planning
Disability Hub MN
CFSS models, consultation, transition from PCA/CSG and self-directed worker questions
Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
Medical Assistance fee-for-service/member coverage questions and health-care program navigation
DHS Health Care Consumer Support
Integrated Medicare/MA and Elderly Waiver service coordination for eligible adults age 65+
MSHO / MSC+ Care Coordination
Help planning a move from an institution to community living and accessing transition supports
Moving Home Minnesota / Relocation Services
Caregiver consulting, education, self-directed grants, limited respite and local caregiver resources
Family Caregiver Support
Utility assistance, heating emergencies and income-eligible home energy upgrades
Energy Assistance / Weatherization
Home health, caregiver training, GUIDE dementia model and general Medicare coverage questions
Medicare
VA caregiver programs, respite/support navigation and connection to Minnesota VA caregiver support coordinators
VA Caregiver Support Line
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
Start with the right Minnesota doorway
For most adults age 65+, Minnesota Aging Pathways (800-333-2433) is a strong navigation entry point. For disability-focused LTSS, Disability Hub MN (866-333-2466) and the county/Tribal human-services office can help identify the right assessment and program.
CFSS can pay a spouse or parent of a minor
Minnesota CFSS expressly allows a participant's spouse or the parent of a minor participant to serve as a paid support worker in either the agency-provider or budget model, subject to worker qualifications, service limits and role-conflict rules.
The PCA/CSG-to-CFSS transition is still time-sensitive
Minnesota began CFSS implementation Oct. 1, 2024. AC participants had an earlier March 31, 2026 transition deadline; remaining eligible PCA/CSG users are scheduled to transition by Sept. 30, 2026, and extended PCA ends that date.
CDCS is a second major paid-family pathway
CDCS is available under Alternative Care and the BI, CAC, CADI, DD and Elderly waivers. It allows participants to hire people they choose, including parents and spouses, within an approved individualized budget and plan.
EW and Alternative Care serve similar needs but use different financing rules
Both target certain adults age 65+ who meet nursing-home level of care. EW requires Medical Assistance eligibility; Alternative Care is for certain people with low income/assets who are not financially eligible for MA.
ECS is for people who do not meet nursing-home level of care
Essential Community Supports serves certain people age 65+ who are not MA-eligible and do not meet nursing-facility level of care. DHS currently states a maximum of $613 per month for ECS services.
Home Care Nursing has a special family-caregiver rule
A spouse, parent of a minor, guardian or conservator can potentially be paid for HCN only through the hardship pathway and only if the caregiver is a qualifying Minnesota RN/LPN employed by an eligible agency and the hardship criteria are met.
MSHO and MSC+ coordinate benefits; they are not separate caregiver cash programs
These managed-care structures can organize Medicare, Medical Assistance and Elderly Waiver/home-care benefits, but payment for a family caregiver depends on the underlying authorized service such as CFSS or CDCS.
Moving Home Minnesota is focused on institutional transitions
For qualifying MA members who have lived in an institution for at least 90 days, Moving Home Minnesota can provide transition planning and one-time/community supports and may continue enhanced services for up to a year after the move.
Caregiver grants and respite are not guaranteed statewide wages
Minnesota aging-network caregiver supports can include self-directed grants, consulting and limited respite, but availability, dollar amounts and allowable uses vary by local grantee and funding.
Medicare is not a general long-term custodial-care payer
Medicare home health is primarily tied to qualifying skilled/intermittent needs and does not replace Medicaid HCBS, private-pay home care or long-term-care insurance for ongoing custodial assistance alone.
Minnesota is VA Community Care Network Region 2
VA lists Minnesota in CCN Region 2, with Optum as the third-party administrator for Regions 1-3. Routine community care generally requires VA referral/authorization; do not assume VA will reimburse a privately hired provider after the fact.
Program rules, income limits, and availability change over time and can vary by county. Confirm current details with the program directly, or ask a home care provider in Minnesota to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Minnesota
These providers serve families in Minnesota and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
A Better Solution In Home Care – Twin Cities, MN
Serving Minnesota
A Better Solution In Home Care – Twin Cities, MN provides home care services in the Twin Cities area.
Communities Served
Twin Cities
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Alternative Senior Care – Alexandria, MN
Serving Minnesota
Alternative Senior Care provides home care services in Alexandria, MN and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Central Minnesota
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Alternative Senior Care – Sauk Centre, MN
Serving Minnesota
Alternative Senior Care provides home care services in Sauk Centre, MN and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Central Minnesota
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Better Home Health Care
Serving Minnesota
Better Home Health Care provides home care services in Minneapolis, MN and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Minneapolis
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Great Oak Senior Care
Serving Minnesota
Great Oak Senior Care provides home care services in Bloomington, MN and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Apple Valley, Bloomington, Burnsville and surrounding areas
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