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Minnesota Consumer Support Grant (CSG) Program
Overview of the Minnesota Consumer Support Grant
The CSG Program is based on the Cash and Counseling model of delivering Medicaid services. Recipients are given a grant of cash and the flexibility to self-direct their care in place of receiving home care services provided by state managed agencies. This is also referred to as consumer direction or participant direction.
The Consumer Support Grant is offered to Minnesotans as an alternative to coverage received through the Medicaid Elderly Waiver, Managed Care or Alternative Care programs. One cannot receive support from both the CSG Program and these programs concurrently.
One component of the Consumer Support Grant that is particularly attractive is that family members can be paid to be caregivers. Unlike Minnesota’s PCA Service Program, even parents and spouses, in addition to the adult children and other relatives, can be hired and receive compensation as caregivers.
One component of the Consumer Support Grant that is particularly attractive is that family members can be paid to be caregivers. Unlike Minnesota’s PCA Service Program, even parents and spouses, in addition to the adult children and other relatives, can be hired and receive compensation as caregivers.
Qualifications for the Minnesota Consumer Support Grant
“Medical Assistance” is the official name of Minnesota’s Medicaid program. Persons must be eligible to receive home care services from Medical Assistance which has both medical and financial qualifiers.
Medically, individuals must have a demonstrated need for assistance with their activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, eating, mobility and / or toileting. They must be living at home or willing to move from a nursing home into a family home.
Financially, qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Medically, individuals must have a demonstrated need for assistance with their activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, eating, mobility and / or toileting. They must be living at home or willing to move from a nursing home into a family home.
Financially, qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits / Services Covered by the Minnesota Consumer Support Grant
Participants in the program are provided with cash grants that can be used for a variety of supports such as:
-Home modifications to account for their disability
-Assistive technology to increase their ability to function independently
-Personal care services
-Meal planning and preparation
-Assistance with transportation
-Respite care
-Home modifications to account for their disability
-Assistive technology to increase their ability to function independently
-Personal care services
-Meal planning and preparation
-Assistance with transportation
-Respite care
How to Apply for the Minnesota Consumer Support Grant
To begin the application process, one should contact the county office of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services. A complete list of offices can be found in this downloadable PDF file. More information can be found on the Minnesota CSG webpage.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
