CFSS and lead agencies FAQ

• People on the Alternative Care (AC) program: March 31, 2026 
• All other people: Sept. 30, 2026.

Yes.

The lead agency authorizes 48 units.

Yes. For more information, refer to DSD MMIS Reference Guide – Update a type B CFSS service agreement.

Yes, the lead agency may authorize six months of PCA/CSG for a late reassessment. The person must have had an active PCA/CSG service agreement within 60 days of the authorization. The lead agency may not backdate the service authorization.

Yes. For instructions, refer to DSD MMIS Reference Guide – ASA3 screen for personal care services (T1019).

In some circumstances. Refer to CFSS manual - Assessment for PCA/CFSS services.

In some circumstances. Refer to CFSS manual - Assessment for PCA/CFSS services.

No. The county/tribal nation must add consultation services to the new service agreement.

Yes.

Six. Refer to CFSS manual – Assessment for PCA/CFSS services.

The lead agency follows its internal policies to approve CSG for an additional six months. For more information, refer to CBSM – CSG.

The county/tribal nation uses Long-Term Services and Supports Service Rate Limits, DHS-3945 (PDF).

No, the 5% administrative fee does not apply to CFSS. During the six months of CSG services authorize after the person’s reassessment, the county/tribal nation will authorize their 5% administrative fee.

The CFSS policy is the same as the PCA policy. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – 45-day temporary start of CFSS services.

Yes. For more information, refer to DSD MMIS Guide - Type B 45-day temporary start of CFSS services.

No. For more information, refer to CFSS policy manual - 45-day temporary start of CFSS services (i.e., emergency start).

No.

No, the lead agency must use CFSS Assessment, DHS-6893A.

The lead agency must provide:

• All documents required by MnCHOICES policy (refer to MnCHOICES - MnCHOICES training).
• CFSS eligibility in writing (DHS does not require a specific form).
• DHS – List of consultation services providers.
• Information for People Who Use CFSS – English, DHS-6893U-ENG (PDF) or translated version:
  • Information for People Who Use CFSS – Hmong, DHS-6893U-HMN (PDF).
  • Information for People Who Use CFSS – Karen, DHS-6893U-KAR (PDF).
  • Information for People Who Use CFSS – Russian, DHS-6893U-RUS (PDF).
  • Information for People Who Use CFSS – Somali, DHS-6893U-SOM (PDF).
  • Information for People Who Use CFSS – Spanish, DHS-6893U-SPA (PDF).
  • Information for People Who Use CFSS – Vietnamese, DHS-6893U-VIE (PDF).
• For people currently using PCA/CSG: CFSS Information Sheet – English, DHS-8477A-ENG (PDF) or translated version:
  • CFSS Information Sheet – Hmong, DHS-8477A-HMN (PDF).
  • CFSS Information Sheet – Karen, DHS-8477A-KAR (PDF).
  • CFSS Information Sheet – Somali, DHS-8477A-SOM (PDF).
  • CFSS Information Sheet – Spanish, DHS-8477A-SPA (PDF).

Yes.

The lead agency must send CFSS eligibility results to the person 10 business days from the date of assessment. Note: The CFSS policy is the same as the PCA policy.

Yes. The lead agency may decline the request if they determine there is not a significant change in the person’s needs. The lead agency must send a notice of action to the person that documents the lead agency’s decision. Note: The CFSS policy is the same as the PCA policy.

Yes. Note: This is not a change from PCA policy.

Yes. The CFSS policy is the same as the PCA policy. See CFSS – PCA/CFSS units determination.

For more information, see CFSS manual – PCA, CFSS and CSG enhanced rate/budget. Note: The CFSS policy is the same as the PCA policy.

For information on when to use CFSS Assessment, DHS-6893A, refer to CFSS Manual – Instructions for CFSS Assessment, DHS-6893A.

No. The assessor must give the person CFSS Program Information and Signature Sheet, DHS 6893G.

The lead agency must provide the person with DHS – CFSS consultation services providers. The person is responsible to select a consultation services provider. The lead agency cannot select the consultation services provider for the person.

The county that does the assessment.

No. For more information, refer to CFSS – CFSS consultation services overview and CBSM – Waiver, AC and ECS case management.

The person notifies the consultation services provider and the lead agency.

The lead agency always authorizes six units. For more information, refer to DSD MMIS Reference Guide – ASA3 screen for consultation services (T1023). 

Yes, the lead agency may choose to authorize 12 units of consultation services (T1023) for people currently receiving PCA on a waiver/AC.

Consultation services providers must be able to communicate with people using their preferred method (e.g., email, text, phone call, in-person meeting, video meeting). Both the consultation services provider and the person must agree on the meeting location. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Consultation services provider requirements.

The consultation services provider is not responsible to know the person’s waiver/AC budget. They help the person with a CFSS service delivery plan based on their CFSS eligibility. The case manager/care coordinator works with the person to manage their overall services and makes changes if needed.

Yes.

Yes. For instructions, refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS consultation services overview.

Yes. For instructions, refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS consultation services overview.

• For counties and Tribal Nations, refer to CFSS consultation services provider county/Tribal Nation liaisons contact list.
• For managed care organizations, follow the MCO’s processes and procedures.

No. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS services on a waiver/AC.

Consultation services providers are required to use an interpreter service unless they have a staff member who knows the language. Refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS consultation services provider requirements.

A person does not need a referral. The person may select any enrolled consultation services provider.

Yes. The contact may be in-person, over video or phone, or through email.

One unit/session per day. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS consultation services overview.

No.

No.

• Comprehensive online training. 
• Regular webinars in the years before CFSS implementation. 
• Biweekly office hours from September-December 2024. 

Refer to CFSS Manual – Goods and services through CFSS for examples of covered goods and services.

No. DHS cannot publish a list of covered goods and services because each person’s needs are unique. Lead agencies must follow the guidelines on CFSS Manual – Goods and services through CFSS.

The person selects a financial management services (FMS) provider to help them purchase goods and services. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Goods and services through CFSS.

FMS fees are determined by each individual FMS provider, including how the FMS provider structures their fees. For more information, refer to DHS –FMS provider information.

No.

The person works with their consultation services provider, if needed.

Yes. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual - Goods and services through CFSS.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Use of a transfer board. 
• Use of a communication device.

No. They are separate categories of services. For more information, refer to:

• CFSS Manual - PERS
• CFSS Manual - Goods and services through CFSS.

The consultation services provider may help the person identify a potential PERS provider. However, the consultation services provider cannot confirm which providers are enrolled MHCP providers, so the lead agency may need to help the person find an enrolled provider.

No. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – PERS.

The consultation services provider.

The consultation services provider must use the method listed on CFSS Manual – CFSS consultation services provider county/Tribal Nation liaisons contact list.

A lead agency professional, such as an assessor, care coordinator or case manager, must approve the CFSS service delivery plan. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS service delivery plan development and approval process. Case aides may not approve CFSS service delivery plans. For more information about case management aides, refer to CBSM – Case management aide.

For a person using state plan CFSS or AC/EW, the COR must complete the assessment and approve the CFSS service delivery plan.

For a person using CFSS on a disability waiver, follow the guidance on CBSM – Process and procedure: When a COR completes a MnCHOICES assessment for the CFR.

The lead agency must follow the directions on CBSM – Notice of action.

The county/Tribal Nation and MCO use MCO, County Agency and Tribal Nation Communication Form - Recommendation for State Plan Home Care Services, DHS-5841. This is not a change from PCA policy.

The person may use either their CFSS funds or their waiver funds to purchase goods, services and/or PERS. For more information, see CFSS – PCA/CFSS services on a waiver/AC.

Yes. For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – Resource: CDCS budget impacts when purchasing PCA/CFSS, home care and extended waiver services.

Yes. For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – Resource: CDCS budget impacts when purchasing PCA/CFSS, home care and extended waiver services.

Yes.

If the person chooses the agency model, they must select a provider agency. If the person chooses the budget model, they must use the same FMS for both CFSS and CDCS.

The person is eligible for waiver when state plan services do not meet the person's needs. To make the determination, the assessor must understand what goods and services are covered by CFSS and what goods and services would require a waiver service like CDCS. Review the following resources:

• CFSS - goods and services
• CDCS - Allowable and unallowable goods and services under CDCS
• CDCS - Unbundled CDCS service categories.

Yes. For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – Purchasing PCA/CFSS and home care services under CDCS.

The participant’s representative cannot serve as the person’s worker. The person or parent/guardian may ask another family member, neighbor, friend, etc., to be the participant’s representative.

The maximum wage cannot exceed the PCA/CFSS unit rate, including taxes and fees. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Paying a spouse or parent of a minor for PCA/CFSS services , pay rate section.

Yes.

The lead agency authorizes a worker training and develop budget for all people using personal care (T1019) services, regardless of model. For instructions, refer to DSD MMIS Reference Guide – ASA3 screen for worker supervision/training.

Yes. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS services on a waiver/AC.

Yes. For more information, see DSD MMIS Reference Guide - Type B service agreement (SA) for PCA/CFSS.

The lead agency should use Service Agreement and Screening Document (SASD) Support Team Portal to send a screenshot to DHS.

The county/Tribal Nation must submit a CFSS Request Form, DHS-6893K (PDF).

No, the county/Tribal Nation only enters a waiver service agreement. This is not a change from PCA.

The person or their participant’s representative must review the spending reports and monitor their budget. The person’s FMS provider must provide monthly spending reports to the person or their participant’s representative, case manager/care coordinator (if applicable) and consultation services provider.. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – FMS documentation and reporting for CFSS.

The consultation services provider shares this information. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Consultation services provider requirements.

No. For more information, refer to CBSM – Home care nursing (HCN).

DHS. This is not a change from PCA. For more information, refer to CFSS – Flexibility to combine PCA/CFSS agencies and/or home care services.

In the agency model, the provider agency. In the budget model, the FMS provider. For more information, refer to CFSS – PCA/CFSS change in condition or health status.

The process varies depending on the type of change. For more information, refer to:

• CFSS manual – Resource: CFSS mid-year changes for counties and Tribal Nations
• CFSS manual – Resource: CFSS mid-year changes for people age 65 or older who are enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO).

All of the person’s CFSS providers must give the person a copy of CFSS Rights and Responsibilities, DHS-6893R-ENG (PDF) or translated version.. See CFSS manual – Person’s rights and responsibilities in CFSS.

No. Providers must disclose all direct or indirect financial interests to the person. See CFSS manual – CFSS consultation services provider requirements and CFSS manual – Financial management services (FMS) provider requirements for CFSS.

No.

The consultation services provider must help the person estimate their budget based on their assessment results and help the person use it to write their CFSS service delivery plan. The lead agency confirms the amount before entering it in MMIS. DHS created the CFSS service agreement calculators to help with these calculations.

No. Schools will continue to provide PCA-like services as part of students’ individualized education plans (IEPs).

The answer is different for the two models. 

• Budget model: The FMS provider must provide monthly reports to: 
  • The person or their participant’s representative. 
  • The person’s case manager or care coordinator (if applicable). 
  • The person’s consultation services provider, if the person does not have a case manager/care coordinator. 
• Agency model: The CFSS provider agency manages use according to the CFSS service delivery plan.

DHS. If lead agencies have concerns about any CFSS provider, email the CFSS team at DHS.

Lead agencies must report suspected fraud and abuse to the Office of Inspector General.