How to apply for Alternative Care program (home & community services for 65+)

Who it's for

Alternative Care pays for home and community services — homemaker help, home-delivered meals, adult day services, personal care, home modifications — for Minnesotans 65 and older who need a nursing-home level of care but are not yet eligible for Medical Assistance. Start with a long-term care consultation through the county or the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433; the assessment determines financial and care eligibility. A monthly fee based on income may apply.

What you'll need

• Long-term care consultation (county assessment)
• Income and asset information

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Alternative Care program (home & community services for 65+). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need long-term care consultation (county assessment), income and asset information — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 or contact your local county office to request a long-term care consultation. This is the required first step — you cannot apply without it.
2. Complete the long-term care consultation. A trained assessor will review your care needs to determine whether you meet the nursing-facility level of care required for the program.
3. Gather your income and asset information before or during the assessment. The assessor will use this to determine your financial eligibility and whether a monthly fee applies.
4. Apply online or by phone through the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433. The assessor or county staff can guide you through the application during or after your consultation.

What to expect: After you submit your application, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and your county will review your assessment results and financial information to make an eligibility decision. Processing times vary, so ask your assessor or county contact for an estimate. If approved, you may be responsible for a monthly fee based on your income. Because eligibility is reviewed on an annual basis, you will need to complete a renewal each year to continue receiving Alternative Care services — your county or the Senior LinkAge Line can let you know what that process involves when the time comes. Note that financial eligibility is set in state law and determined through the assessment itself, so no income or asset self-screening test is applied beforehand.

Renewals

annual