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How We Got Here
Minnesota’s new Disability Waiver Program is the result of research and engagement — and listening to people across Minnesota
Minnesotans asked for a better waiver system. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) began exploring improvements, and the Legislature supported this work in 2017. This effort — Waiver Reimagine — became the foundation for the new Disability Waiver Program.
Community input informed the need for change
For close to a decade, we have worked with people, families, counties, Tribal Nations, providers and advocates to understand what was working and what needed to change.
Through this process, you told us that:
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Funding doesn’t seem fair
People with the same needs don’t always get the same funding, creating inconsistencies in access to services.
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The system is too complex
The current waiver system is confusing and hard to navigate. It’s hard to understand the different rules and services for each waiver.
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Choice and flexibility are limited
Counties and Tribal Nations decide what services people get and how much. Some people may pick their waiver, while others may not. People want self-direction options (consumer directed community supports, or CDCS) to be easier to navigate and work more smoothly with traditional services.
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There is too much reliance on structured living settings
People on waivers want more opportunities to thrive in their own homes and communities.
This input helped shape the goals of the new program:
Easier
Waivers are simpler to understand and use.
More choice
People may choose the supports that fit their life.
Fairer
Everyone follows the same clear path to services, regardless of disability, county or Tribal Nation.
More flexible
People may use supports that work best for them — including self-direction and technology.
Built for the future
The system can adapt to changing needs and resources.
Engagement and listening are ongoing
From 2018 to 2025, we held engagement sessions and events across the state to collect insights and recommendations. This work is ongoing as we prepare to begin the new Disability Waiver Program and make improvements in the future.
30+
Feedback sessions across Minnesota
161
Online focus group participants
Engagement highlights: 2018–2019
- Focus groups, individual interviews and listening sessions with people who use disability waivers, family members and county staff to learn firsthand about the experience of using the current four home and community-based services (HCBS) disability waivers. Read the report (PDF).
- Expert panel of county staff, people receiving services and their families, DHS staff, advocates and providers helped us to develop the individual budget methodology.
- More than 30 feedback sessions hosted by DHS across the state with counties, providers, DHS workgroups, advocacy organizations and assessors to gather input on what was working well about the four current disability waivers and what could be improved, specifically related to waiver eligibility, service availability and access, financial management and program administration.
Engagement highlights: 2020–2021
- Eight Webinars and feedback sessions with people receiving services and their families, service providers, counties, Tribal Nations, advocacy organizations and the public to:
- Share information about DHS's goals for the new Disability Waiver Program.
- Gather ideas for expanding access to self-direction.
- Explore examples.
- Answer questions about improvements and proposed changes.
- Insights from these engagements informed transition planning. We summarized them in a final report of findings (PDF).
- Expert panel of county and DHS staff created support range descriptions and helped shape the Human Services Research Institute’s (HSRI) recommendations for the new budget model.
Engagement highlights: 2022–2024
- Working focus groups of county staff gathered input and feedback on the process case managers and other related professionals will use once the new program begins.
- Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee (WRAC) —representing people receiving services, family members, counties, Tribal Nations, providers and advocates—shared feedback to help develop proposed plans for the new program. This feedback, including a September 2025 final report to the Legislature (PDF), led to:
- Removing the habilitation service requirement from the Developmental Disabilities Waiver.
- Development of the informed exceptions policy.
- Plans to expand self-direction.
- Virtual focus groups—Nine sessions with 161 participants, predominantly waiver participants, held to hear how we can strengthen informed choice as we develop the new system.
Engagement highlights: 2025
- Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine—a group of people receiving services and their family members, DHS staff, state legislators, advocacy organizations and providers— formed to evaluate and provide recommendations on Minnesota's new Disability Waiver Program.
- An expert panel of 29 community representatives who meet regularly to bring their real-world experiences and practical insights to the development of the new waiver system. Led by HSRI, the advisers are learning about and discussing a wide range of topics related to Waiver Reimagine, including equity, informed choice, self-direction and readiness for implementation. They are also supporting specific data collection activities, such as:
- Using data from MnCHOICES to help write support range descriptions and refine the budget model. MnCHOICES is the tool used to assess a person's needs and help plan long-term services and supports.
- Collaboratively completing a service calendar to indicate the services people need.
- Testing the budget model with real people.
Engagement highlights: 2026 and beyond
Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine and the expert panel continue to provide input to shape the future of Waiver Reimagine.
Key moments in creating the new program
A lot of community input, research, analysis and decisions have gone into the development of Minnesota’s new Disability Waiver Program. Together, we are building a waiver system that is more unified, transparent and responsive to the diverse needs of Minnesotans. Here are some of the milestones in our journey so far:
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2017 »
Studies commissioned
The 2017 Minnesota Legislature authorized DHS to conduct two studies to identify efficiencies, simplifications and improvements to the home and community-based services waiver programs for people with disabilities.
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2018 »
Studies conducted and changes proposed
We conducted studies and gathered information and input from key audiences and proposed changes. Review the findings from the report to the Legislature (PDF).
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2019 »
Phase I authorized
The 2019 Minnesota Legislature authorized DHS to make improvements to Minnesota’s disability waiver programs:
Phase 1: Create common services across all disability waivers.
Phase 2: Reshape the waivers from four waivers based on a person’s diagnosis to two waivers based on where a person lives and implement individualized budgets. -
2019–2020 »
Further research, analysis and engagement
DHS conducted further research and analysis, developed policy recommendations and engaged key audiences to help plan Phase 2. Review the report based on this work provided to the Legislature in January 2021(PDF).
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2020 »
Simplified services menu approved
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a simplified, common services menu submitted by DHS. We conducted trainings on service simplification. The common services menu became available in January 2021.
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2021 »
Phase 2 authorized and advisory committee formed
The Minnesota Legislature authorized DHS to begin Phase 2 of the Waiver Reimagine initiative. DHS began to raise awareness and seek input on waiver plans, including monthly open office hours, Facebook Live events, outreach to counties and Tribal Nations and the launch of the Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee (WRAC).
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2022–2024 »
Ongoing engagement activities
Based on the WRAC's feedback, we removed the habilitation requirement in the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver and developed an exceptions policy and plans to expand self-direction. We continued gathering feedback from county and Tribal Nation staff in preparation for the start of the program.
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2025 »
Laws revised, task force formed and implementation begins
The governor and Legislature revised state law with additional requirements and a new start date. We formed the Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine, which began meeting. We also began gathering updated service and assessment data in preparation for MnCHOICES updates and integration.
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2026 »
Further research, analysis and engagement
We are continuing engagement with state legislators, people receiving services, families, counties, Tribal Nations and providers to prepare the waiver plans for public comment and submission to CMS. Our focus is on budget exceptions, self-direction policy, support planning and waiver budget management.
Stay informed and share your feedback
We are committed to listening so the new program works well for everyone. Use the links below to receive ongoing updates and share your thoughts.
Sign up for ongoing updates
We will share updates as planning for the new Disability Waiver Program continues and more details become available. Enter your contact information below to sign up to receive these email updates.
Give feedback to DHS
You may provide direct feedback and comments about what you’d like DHS to address about the new waiver program. While we can’t respond to individual questions, your submissions will inform future communications, trainings and resources.
Stay up to date with the Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine
Established by the Minnesota Legislature, the Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine is evaluating and providing recommendations on the initiative and ongoing work that is transforming Minnesota’s existing waiver system into the new Disability Waiver Program.
Join the Disability Hub MN Virtual Insight Panel
The Virtual Insight Panel is made up of Minnesotans with disabilities and their families and caregivers. Members of the panel volunteer to share their lived experiences and feedback to help improve communications and programs related to disability services in Minnesota.
Join the Professional Insight Panel
The Professional Insight Panel is a new opportunity for county and Tribal Nation staff, providers and advocates to provide their expert perspective related to disability services.