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Legal authority

Minn. Stat. §256B.0659, subd. 3(b) (1), 11(c) and 29, Minn. Stat. §256B.85, subd. 9(b)(34)

Comparison of PCA and CFSS

DHS is in the process of replacing PCA with CFSS. For more information about this transition, refer to CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS.

Similarities

In both PCA and CFSS, the person’s housing provider cannot also be the person’s PCA/CFSS provider agency.

Differences

In CFSS, the person’s consultation services provider and financial management services (FMS) provider cannot also be the person’s housing provider. These provider types do not exist in PCA.

Overview

A person who uses PCA/CFSS services has the right to choose the providers of their services and supports.

PCA/CFSS services are not covered if the PCA/CFSS provider owns or controls the living arrangement of the person receiving services and is not related to the person by blood, marriage or adoption.

Allowable living arrangements

The following living arrangements are allowed:

These arrangements are allowed because they are not considered provider-owned or -controlled housing for the purposes of receiving PCA/CFSS/

Unallowable living arrangements

The following living arrangements are not allowed:

1. Any situation in which the same company owns, controls or has a financial interest in the person’s housing and PCA/CFSS services.

2. A residential setting owned or controlled by the PCA/CFSS provider if the provider is not related to the person by blood, marriage or adoption.

3. Any situation in which there is an expectation that PCA/CFSS services are included with housing.

4. Any situation in which the individual or company that controls the housing does any of the following:

These arrangements are not allowed because they are considered provider-owned or -controlled housing for purpose of receiving PCA/CFSS.

Lead agency’s responsibilities

The lead agency’s responsibilities are different based on the person’s situation.

Person on a waiver/Alternative Care (AC) or enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO) with care coordination

The case manager/care coordinator is responsible to ensure PCA/CFSS services do not occur in provider-owned or -controlled housing.

Person not on a waiver/AC

As part the assessment process, the assessor must confirm the person is not living in provider-owned or -controlled housing. The assessor cannot authorize PCA/CFSS services if the person lives in provider-owned or -controlled housing.

PCA/CFSS agency, FMS provider and consultation services provider’s responsibilities

All PCA/CFSS providers are responsible to:

CFSS Manual – Assessment for PCA/CFSS services
CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS provider agency requirements overview
CFSS Manual – Reassessment for PCA/CFSS services
CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS
Housing Benefits 101