Essential community supports

The Essential Community Supports program may be available to you if you need services to live in the community and meet certain eligibility rules. It is designed for people who do not need the level of care provided in a nursing home. You may qualify for up to $613 per month for services and supports.

Essential Community Supports brochure, DHS-6546 (PDF)

Eligibility

To qualify, you must:

  • Be age 65 or older
  • Not be eligible for Medical Assistance
  • Not meet nursing facility level of care
  • Live in your own home or apartment
  • Meet financial eligibility criteria for the Alternative Care program
  • Need one or more of these services to live in the community.

Medical Assistance (MA)    Alternative Care program

Apply

Contact the county or tribal nation where you live for information on applying for the Essential Community Supports program. You can find your county or tribal contact here: 

Long-Term Care Consultation contacts     County and tribal directory

Contact Minnesota Aging Pathways at 800-333-2433 to connect with other local services and programs.

Minnesota Aging Pathways

Adult day services

Adult day services

Case management/Care Coordination

Case management/Care Coordination

Community living assistance (CLA)

Community living assistance (CLA)

Family caregiver services

Family caregiver services

Home-delivered meals

Home-delivered meals

Chore services

Chore services

Homemaker

Homemaker

Personal emergency response systems (PERS)

Personal emergency response systems (PERS)