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Disability services in Minnesota

749 Confirmed Profiles and 21,130 Registry Listings across 220 counties, plus organizations that serve the whole country.

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Search by area in Minnesota

Key statewide contacts

Agencies and networks that serve people with any disability in Minnesota. Each area's Resources and data tab lists the contacts for that area.

Protection and Advocacy (1)

The legal advocacy agency for people with disabilities in your state, set up under federal law. Free help with rights, abuse and neglect, and discrimination.

Vocational Rehabilitation (2)

The state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job.

Assistive Technology Act program (1)

Try, borrow, or get help paying for assistive technology, from communication devices to mobility equipment.

Statewide Independent Living Council (1)

Plans and monitors independent living services across the state.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (1)

One place to start for long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities.

Parent Training and Information Centers (1)

Free help for families of children with disabilities, including special education rights and IEPs.

Services by county in Minnesota

Each county page shows what serves that county, your local intake offices, and Confirmed Profiles based there. Numbers are listings that serve the county.

Show all 87 counties

How to get services in Minnesota

Most long-term supports are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the program that fits. Many programs have a waiting list, so apply early.

Start here Minnesota Medical Assistance (MA) · Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), with county and Tribal Nation agencies

Apply online (opens in a new tab) · Yes, at your county human services agency or Tribal Nation office.

Minnesota is a 209(b) state, so SSI does not give you Medical Assistance automatically; you must apply through your county or Tribal Nation.

Disability-based MA is for people whose disability is certified by Social Security or the State Medical Review Team (SMRT). People over the income limit may qualify with a spenddown.

For children: MA-TEFRA: Medical Assistance for children with disabilities who live at home, even when parent income is too high for regular MA.

If you work: MA-EPD (Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities): lets working people with certified disabilities keep MA at higher earnings, with a premium.

Steps

  1. Contact your county or Tribal Nation, or apply online at MNsure.org
  2. Tell the worker you have a disability so you are checked for disability-based MA
  3. If you do not have an SSA disability decision, ask about the State Medical Review Team (SMRT)
  4. Send proof the worker asks for
  5. Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 if you need help

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income
  • Bank and asset information
  • Health insurance cards
  • SSA disability letter if you have one

Find a local benefits office (opens in a new tab)

Intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism

Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver (CADI) Waiting list varies

People under 65 with disabilities who need nursing facility level of care. You must be certified disabled by SSA or the State Medical Review Team.

Start with: County human services agency or Tribal Nation (lead agency) · (866) 333-2466 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Your county or Tribal Nation (lead agency) manages waiver slots within its budget and may keep a waiting list using statewide priorities set in state law. Ask your lead agency.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call your county human services agency or Tribal Nation and ask for a MnCHOICES assessment
  2. The agency has 45 days from your request to do the assessment
  3. Apply for disability-based Medical Assistance or MA-EPD if you do not have it
  4. If eligible, work with a case manager on your support plan
  5. Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 if you need help

Have these ready

  • SSA or SMRT disability certification
  • Medical Assistance information
  • List of daily support needs
  • Social Security number

Minnesota county human services and Tribal Nations (lead agencies)

All 1 offices
Your county human services agency or Tribal Nation (use the state directory to find yours)
Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD) Waiting list varies

People of any age with a developmental disability or related condition who need ICF/DD level of care. You must be certified disabled by SSA or the State Medical Review Team.

Start with: County human services agency or Tribal Nation (lead agency) · (866) 333-2466 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Your county or Tribal Nation (lead agency) manages waiver slots within its budget and may keep a waiting list using statewide priorities set in state law. Ask your lead agency.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call your county human services agency or Tribal Nation and ask for a MnCHOICES assessment
  2. The agency has 45 days from your request to do the assessment
  3. Apply for disability-based Medical Assistance or MA-EPD if you do not have it
  4. If eligible, work with a case manager on your support plan
  5. Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 if you need help

Have these ready

  • SSA or SMRT disability certification
  • Medical Assistance information
  • List of daily support needs
  • Social Security number

Minnesota county human services and Tribal Nations (lead agencies)

All 1 offices
Your county human services agency or Tribal Nation (use the state directory to find yours)

Brain injury, HIV, and complex medical needs

Brain Injury Waiver (BI) Waiting list varies

People under 65 with an acquired or traumatic brain injury who need specialized nursing facility or neurobehavioral hospital level of care. You must be certified disabled by SSA or the State Medical Review Team.

Start with: County human services agency or Tribal Nation (lead agency) · (866) 333-2466 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Your county or Tribal Nation (lead agency) manages waiver slots within its budget and may keep a waiting list using statewide priorities set in state law. Ask your lead agency.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call your county human services agency or Tribal Nation and ask for a MnCHOICES assessment
  2. The agency has 45 days from your request to do the assessment
  3. Apply for disability-based Medical Assistance or MA-EPD if you do not have it
  4. If eligible, work with a case manager on your support plan
  5. Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 if you need help

Have these ready

  • SSA or SMRT disability certification
  • Medical Assistance information
  • List of daily support needs
  • Social Security number

Minnesota county human services and Tribal Nations (lead agencies)

All 1 offices
Your county human services agency or Tribal Nation (use the state directory to find yours)
Community Alternative Care Waiver (CAC) Waiting list varies

People under 65 who are chronically ill or medically fragile and need hospital level of care. You must be certified disabled by SSA or the State Medical Review Team.

Start with: County human services agency or Tribal Nation (lead agency) · (866) 333-2466 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Your county or Tribal Nation (lead agency) manages waiver slots within its budget and may keep a waiting list using statewide priorities set in state law. Ask your lead agency.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call your county human services agency or Tribal Nation and ask for a MnCHOICES assessment
  2. The agency has 45 days from your request to do the assessment
  3. Apply for disability-based Medical Assistance or MA-EPD if you do not have it
  4. If eligible, work with a case manager on your support plan
  5. Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 if you need help

Have these ready

  • SSA or SMRT disability certification
  • Medical Assistance information
  • List of daily support needs
  • Social Security number

Minnesota county human services and Tribal Nations (lead agencies)

All 1 offices
Your county human services agency or Tribal Nation (use the state directory to find yours)

Older adults and people with physical disabilities

Elderly Waiver Waiting list varies

People 65 and older who need nursing facility level of care and qualify for Medical Assistance.

Start with: County human services agency, Tribal Nation, or your managed care plan · (800) 333-2433 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Access is managed by counties, Tribal Nations and health plans; ask if there is a wait.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. If you are in a Medical Assistance health plan for seniors, call your plan care coordinator
  2. If not, call your county or Tribal Nation and ask for a MnCHOICES assessment
  3. Apply for Medical Assistance if you do not have it
  4. Call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 for help

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Income and asset information
  • Health plan card if you have one
  • List of help needed with daily activities

Minnesota county human services and Tribal Nations (lead agencies)

All 1 offices
Your county human services agency or Tribal Nation (use the state directory to find yours)

Other programs

Minnesota Reform: Pathways to Independence No waiting list

This 1115 demonstration pays for the Alternative Care program: home and community services for people 65 and older who need nursing facility level of care but whose income or assets are above Medical Assistance limits.

Start with: County human services agency or Tribal Nation (Alternative Care program) · (800) 333-2433 · Website (opens in a new tab)

DHS reports that no waiting list is kept for the Alternative Care program.

You do not need Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 or your county or Tribal Nation
  2. Ask for a long-term care consultation (MnCHOICES assessment) for Alternative Care
  3. Share your income and asset information
  4. If eligible, work with a case manager on a plan

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Income and asset information
  • List of help needed with daily activities

Minnesota county human services and Tribal Nations (lead agencies)

All 1 offices
Your county human services agency or Tribal Nation (use the state directory to find yours)

Rules change. Check with the agency before you rely on this. Checked October 2026.

How Minnesota pays for services

Minnesota ranks 16 of 51 on Medicaid waiver funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See its spending, waiting list, every named program, service rates, and its vocational rehabilitation agency.

Open the Funding Atlas for Minnesota

How Minnesota is graded

A

Rank 2 of 51 on State of Support

ConnectIDD's report card for services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Access to servicesA-
  • Community livingB+
  • Family supportB+
  • Real workC+
  • Direct support workforceA+
  • Quality of lifeC+
  • State investmentA-
  • TransparencyC-

Open the full report card

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A map for every stage of your family's journey in Minnesota

Eight stages most families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pass through, from the first diagnosis to planning for the years ahead. Each stage shows what to do now, what to start planning, and the services to look for nearby, with a free printable guide.

  1. Diagnosis
  2. Early childhood
  3. School years
  4. Transition
  5. After graduation
  6. A place to live
  7. Work
  8. The future

Open The Family Journey Download the free guide (PDF)