Apply for health care

People who need Long-Term Services and Supports

These programs are for people with limited income and assets who need help with daily living due to age, chronic illness, or disability. Those who need help paying for nursing home care or people with developmental disabilities and need help with daily activities.

This includes waiver programs such Elderly Waiver and various other Home and Community Based (HCBS) waivers. These programs require individuals to “spend down” assets first before they may be eligible.

Learn more about waiver programs

MnCHOICES assessment

A Long-Term Care Consultation (LTCC) or MnCHOICES assessment is required before we can authorize payment for services. Your local service agency (county or tribal nation) can assist with completing this assessment. This video provides an overview of the MnCHOICES assessment process and is available in multiple languages, with and without audio descriptions.

Find the video in your language

Ways you can apply

You can choose one of these two ways to apply depending on what is easiest for you and your family.

Mail, fax or in person

Complete the Application for Medical Assistance for Long-Term Care Services and send it to your local service agency by mail or fax or drop it off in person.

Download the application (PDF) Find your local county or Tribal office

Over the phone

Call your local service agency and let them know you wish to complete an application over the phone.

Find your local county or Tribal office

Prepare to apply

When you apply for Long-Term Care coverage, you’ll need to provide some information about you and your household, your income, and some additional items.

Gather documents

Use the list below to help you gather what you may need to apply. Your worker will attempt to verify this information using our data sources, but if they are unable to verify any of these items, paper proof may be required:

  • Social Security number for each person applying  
  • Date of birth person needing care and their spouse
  • Driver's license, Tribal ID or other ID  
  • Information about any nursing home or facilities lived in
  • For non-citizens, Green Card or other immigration documents
  • Documents for sources of income for each person applying 
  • Documents for sources of assets for each person applying (bank accounts, investments, etc.) 
  • Documents for sources of any self-employment for each person applying

Who to include

The following people should be included in your household when applying for coverage:

  • Person needs help with long-term care
  • Spouse of person needing help with long-term care

Who NOT to include

The following people should not be considered in your household when applying for coverage:

  • Unrelated adults living in the home
  • Any children over 21 years old