EIDBI services: How to spot, avoid and report kickbacks

Minnesota’s law was clarified and strengthened in 2025. The law is clear:  

• EIDBI services must be based on your child’s needs 
• Giving and accepting incentives is illegal 
• Doing so may lead to significant fines or time in prison.  

If a provider, recruiter or worker: 

• Offers you money or gift cards for enrolling your child 
• Promises rewards for staying in services 
• Gives you something of value for referring other families 
• Encourages you to sign up quickly “to get a bonus” 
• Suggests services your child may not need, tied to a reward … 

DO NOT ACCEPT, THESE ARE KICKBACKS! 

The law does not apply to discounts, scholarships or other financial assistance to families allowed by law. 

Trusted EIDBI providers do not pay or give incentives to families to enroll in or stay in services. Avoid risk by: 

• Saying no to any gifts or payments tied to services
• Choosing providers based on quality and your child’s needs
• Asking for clear explanations of recommended services
• Taking time before signing forms or agreements.

DO NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER. You may be putting yourself in danger of losing services and you may be breaking the law. Accepting a kickback even one time may affect your child’s eligibility for services, require repayment or lead to serious legal consequences. If you are unsure, contact us for guidance. 

If you suspect you are being offered a kickback: 

• Document what happened (who, what, when and where)
• Report it as soon as possible. 

Reporting protects your eligibility and prevents harm to other families. You do not need to be certain something is a kickback or fraud to report it—if something feels off, make a report.