Minnesota Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) / Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)

Minnesota offers two consumer-directed care pathways: Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS), which provides individual budgets under home-and-community-based waivers and the Alternative Care program for hiring staff and purchasing goods/services, and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS), the new state-plan benefit that replaced Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG) effective October 1, 2024. CFSS is being phased in over 24+ months at reassessment (PCA/CSG transition deadline extended to September 30, 2027). CDCS remains a separate, currently active self-direction waiver option. Family members including spouses can be paid under both programs.

Minnesota has two consumer-directed pathways: (1) CFSS (Community First Services and Supports) — the new state-plan benefit replacing PCA and the Consumer Support Grant effective October 1, 2024. CFSS is an entitlement (no waitlist) with a budget model (consumer-directed) and agency model. PCA/CSG members transition to CFSS at reassessment; transition deadline extended to September 30, 2027. (2) CDCS (Consumer-Directed Community Supports) — a separate, still-active self-direction option under HCBS waivers and the Alternative Care program, providing individual budgets for hiring staff and purchasing goods/services. Attendant pay rates are approximately $15–$18/hr. Family members including spouses can be paid under both programs.

Some details for this program are still being verified. Check the official source for the most current information.

Eligibility

• Care recipient must have a qualifying disability
• Relationship: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, other relative, non relative

Services

Minnesota has two consumer-directed pathways: (1) CFSS (Community First Services and Supports) — the new state-plan benefit replacing PCA and the Consumer Support Grant effective October 1, 2024. CFSS is an entitlement (no waitlist) with a budget model (consumer-directed) and agency model. PCA/CSG members transition to CFSS at reassessment; transition deadline extended to September 30, 2027. (2) CDCS (Consumer-Directed Community Supports) — a separate, still-active self-direction option under HCBS waivers and the Alternative Care program, providing individual budgets for hiring staff and purchasing goods/services. Attendant pay rates are approximately $15–$18/hr. Family members including spouses can be paid under both programs.