Arc Guide to Consumer Support Grant (CSG)

The Consumer Support Grant (CSG) allows individuals with disabilities to purchase items, services and supports needed due to the individual’s disability. These services and items can help the individual with some of their everyday living needs (such as personal cares, taking care of the home, socialization, etc.) in a way that gives the individual more choice, control, flexibility and responsibility.

To be eligible for CSG, the individual must meet all of the criteria listed below:

Be eligible for Medical Assistance
Eligible for Personal Care Assistance (PCA), Home Health Aide (HHA) or Private Duty Nursing (PDN) services
Able to direct one’s own care and supports or have a family member/legal representative able to do so
Have a disability that effects their ability to do some things related to self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction and independent living. (Some examples of the things related to the disability include dressing, bathing, grooming, communicating needs and desires, getting around from place to place, taking care of one’s home, shopping, etc.
Need support to live in the community
Live in a typical home setting

Eligibility for CSG is often determined by a MnCHOICES assessment.* If the MnCHOICES assessment determines that the individual is eligible for PCA, HHA or PDN services, the individual will be given a CSG monthly grant amount.

In general, items and services that can be purchased with CSG funds must

Be based on the needs of the individual with a disability
Help meet health, safety or general welfare needs of the individual with a disability
Make sense as a good way to use governmental funds
Help the individual develop skills
Help the person be involved in the community

Some items and services that can be purchased include:

Paying family members and friends to help. This includes the ability of parents of minors (children under the age of 18) to be paid.
Providing supervision, socialization and care that is not considered medical care
Modifications to a home or vehicle
Home delivered meals
Respite care for family members so the person providing services can have a break

Chore services so that the home is clean and safe
Equipment, devices, gadgets
Transportation/travel
Family counseling
Specialized nutritional products

In general, items and services cannot be purchased with CSG fund if

Some other private or public dollars are required or are available (Some examples of private or public dollars/funding could be private insurance, education, etc.)
A person without a disability would buy the same item or service for the same price

The county human services agency will inform the individual when CSG is available and the proposed amount of the grant. The Minnesota Department of Human Services based on the MnCHOICES assessment results determines Grant amounts.

Applying for CSG

Most counties require an individual interested in obtaining CSG to attend an orientation. Contact the county social services department to find out when and where there is an orientation. During the orientation, the county will provide information on CSG including:
Creating a person-centered support plan which describes how the grant funds will be used (The county will provide a form to complete the plan.)
Selecting a Fiscal Support Service** which will assist in payment of services and items
Documentation of services, supports and items for payment or reimbursement
Items which can and cannot be purchased
Plan approval process

Some parts of the person-centered support plan are:

Description of the individual
What does the individual want to do
What outcomes are expected
What support, service, and/or item do you want to buy? How will it help the individual?

**The Fiscal Support Service is a company that

Helps an individual hire and pay for staff including employment related expenses
Pays bills for items that the plan says can be purchased

You cannot receive CSG if you are receiving waiver services. You cannot receive CSG if you are receiving a Family Support Grant.

If you are receiving Medical Assistance through a Managed Care Program, please call The Arc Minnesota for information on CSG.

For more information, please read:

*See The Arc Guide to MnCHOICES

**The county will give a list of Fiscal Support Services that the individual can use.

For further information or advocacy services, contact The Arc Minnesota at 952-920-0855 or toll-free at 833.450.1494 or visit www.arcminnesota.org. (Please note: This document is not legal advice, and should not be construed as such. Thus, no information herein should replace the sound advice of an attorney.)