CSG Is Going Away: Here's What That Means for You

If you're currently on Minnesota's Consumer Support Grant (CSG) program, you've probably heard that things are changing. They are. Here's the full picture in plain English.

What's happening

On October 1, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Human Services began transitioning everyone on CSG (and everyone on the older PCA program) to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). CFSS replaces both CSG and PCA. New participants can no longer choose CSG. Everyone currently on CSG must move to CFSS by March 31, 2026 (Alternative Care program) or September 30, 2026 (everyone else).

Why this is happening

CSG was a Minnesota-only program funded entirely with state dollars. PCA was largely federally funded but had restrictive rules, for example, it limited how much spouses and parents of minors could be paid. CFSS is federally approved, so Minnesota gets federal matching dollars; in exchange, the program aligns with federal HCBS rules. The result is a unified personal-care program that replaces both PCA and CSG, allows paid spouses and parents of minor children in many situations, offers a choice between Agency and Budget Models, provides a worker training budget, allows a Personal Emergency Response System purchase, and lets participants distribute hours flexibly through the year.

When will I transition?

You'll transition at your next annual reassessment. Your county, tribal nation, or MCO will conduct your reassessment, authorize up to six more months of CSG to give you time to decide, connect you with a consultation services provider, and approve your CFSS plan. You will not lose services during the transition.

What will change for me

What will probably stay the same

• Your eligibility
• The general nature of services you receive
• Your ability to hire family members, including spouses and parents of minor children
• Your FMS provider, if they offer CFSS Budget Model

What may change

• The specific goods and services you can purchase (some categories that were broader under CSG are tighter under federal CFSS rules)
• Worker training requirements (CFSS requires the PCA/CFSS support worker training)
• Worker union representation (Budget Model workers are SEIU-represented)
• The exact dollar amount of your authorization
• The forms and paperwork involved in setting up services

What may improve

• More flexibility in how you distribute your hours throughout the year
• The ability to purchase a PERS for backup safety
• A dedicated worker training budget

What you should do now

1. Don't panic, you won't lose services. The transition is structured so no one falls through the cracks.
2. Watch for communications from your county, tribal nation, or MCO about your reassessment date.
3. At your reassessment, ask about CFSS, your assessor should give you DHS form 6893U.
4. Choose between Agency Model and Budget Model with your consultation services provider.
5. Pick (or keep) an FMS provider if you choose Budget Model.

What if Aspen is my FMS?

If you're currently on CSG with Aspen, you'll continue with us through the CFSS Budget Model transition. We've already integrated the new CFSS requirements, worker training tracking, SEIU contract compliance, the updated DHS reporting, into our systems, so your paychecks keep arriving on schedule.