Minn. Stat. §256B.0659, subd. 4(b), Minn. Stat. §256B.85, subd. 2(k)

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.

The information on this page is from PCA Assessment and Service Plan Instructions and Guidelines, DHS-3244A (PDF). DHS will phase out DHS-3244A during the transition to CFSS and MnCHOICES.

Similarities

In both PCA and CFSS:

Differences

There are no differences in this policy for PCA and CFSS.

Children might need to meet additional criteria for ADL dependency based on their age and the specific ADL. This page explains how to make that determination. It is a resource for lead agency assessors who complete the CFSS Assessment, DHS-6893 (coming soon).
Note: Assessors used PCA Assessment and Service Plan, DHS-3244 (PDF) for PCA legacy assessments.

The information on this page is also built into the rules in the MnCHOICES assessment. MnCHOICES uses ADL dependency information to calculate the person’s home care rating and units. The criteria are the same in both assessments. MnCHOICES is a comprehensive assessment that also determines eligibility for many programs. This means questions about the items relevant to PCA/CFSS eligibility are integrated with questions relevant to other programs.

Adult criteria for ADL dependencies

An adult is dependent in an ADL if they have a need for both:

For information about the adult ADL criteria, refer CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS units determination.

Adult and child criteria for complex health needs and behaviors

The criteria for complex health needs and behaviors are the same for children and adults. This page does not discuss complex health needs and behaviors. Instead, refer to CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS units determination.

Unable to physically participate: The person is not involved physically in completing the task.

Dependency in dressing depends on the child’s age.

12 months and younger

A child 12 months or younger is never dependent in dressing.

13 through 36 months

Dependent

A child who is unable to physically participate is dependent in dressing.

Not dependent

A child who needs assistance but can physically participate is not dependent in dressing.

37 through 48 months

Dependent

A child who needs hands-on assistance is dependent in dressing.

Not dependent

A child who does not need hands-on assistance is not dependent, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

49 months and older

A child 49 months or older must meet the same criteria as an adult.

Dependency in grooming depends on the child’s age.

24 months and younger

A child 24 months or younger is never dependent in grooming.

25 through 48 months

Dependent

A child who is unable to physically participate is dependent in grooming.

Not dependent

A child who needs assistance but can physically participate is not dependent in grooming, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

49 months and older

A child 49 months or older must meet the same criteria as an adult.

Dependency in bathing depends on the child’s age.

12 months and younger

A child 12 months or younger is never dependent in bathing.

13 through 48 months

Dependent

A child who is unable to physically participate is dependent in bathing.

Not dependent

A child who needs assistance but can physically participate is not dependent in bathing, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

49 months and older

A child 49 months or older must meet the same criteria as an adult.

Dependency in eating depends on the child’s tube feeding status or age.

Requires tube feeding (any age)

A child who requires tube feeding is dependent in eating, regardless of their age.

12 months and younger

A child 12 months or younger is dependent in eating if they require tube feeding.

13 through 24 months

Dependent

A child who is unable to physically participate is dependent in eating.

Not dependent

A child who requires assistance but can physically participate is not dependent in eating.

25 through 60 months

Dependent

A child who is unable to physically participate is dependent in eating.

A child who can partially feed themselves with hands-on assistance is dependent in eating.

Not dependent

A child who does not need hands-on assistance is not dependent in eating, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

61 months and older

A child 61 months or older must meet the same criteria as an adult.

Dependency in transfers depends on the child’s age.

18 months and younger

Dependent

A child 18 months or younger whose caregiver needs a mechanical device (e.g., Hoyer lift) to transfer is dependent in transfers.

Not dependent

A child whose caregiver can transfer without a mechanical device is not dependent in transfers.

19 through 30 months

Dependent

A child who is unable to physically participate is dependent in transfers.

Not dependent

A child who needs assistance but can physically participate is not dependent in transfers.

31 months and older

Dependent

A child who needs hands-on assistance but can physically participate is dependent in transfers.

Not dependent

A child who does not need hands-on assistance is not dependent in transfers, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

Dependency in mobility depends on the child’s age.

Note: For all people (including children), a person’s use of a mobility device to complete a task does not indicate a dependency in mobility if they can safely and independently use the mobility device.

12 months and younger

A child 12 months or younger is never dependent in mobility.

13 through 24 months

Dependent

A child who is not mobile (i.e., unable to crawl or scoot) is dependent in mobility.

Not dependent

A child who is mobile (i.e., able to crawl, scoot or walk holding furniture) is not dependent in mobility.

25 through 60 months

Dependent

A child who is not walking or is walking with hands-on assistance is dependent in mobility.

Not dependent

A child who does not need hands-on assistance is not dependent in mobility, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

61 months and older

A child 61 months or older must meet the same criteria as an adult.

Dependency in positioning depends on the child’s age.

9 months and younger

A child 9 months or younger is never dependent in positioning.

10 months and older

Dependent

A child who needs hands-on assistance is dependent in positioning.

Not dependent

A child who does not need hands-on assistance is not dependent in positioning, even if the child needs cueing and constant supervision.

Dependency in toileting depends on the child’s age.

48 months and younger

Dependent

A child is dependent in toileting if they both:

Not dependent

A child is not dependent in toileting if they either:

49 through 60 months

Dependent

A child is dependent in toileting if all of the following are true:

Not dependent

A child is not dependent in toileting if any of the following are true:

61 months and older

A child 61 months or older must meet the same criteria as an adult.