Housing Stabilization Services program termination FAQ for providers and clients

In recent months, DHS has stopped payments to many HSS providers suspected of fraud. DHS has also been working closely with state and federal law enforcement to investigate HSS providers suspected of Medicaid fraud.

The Minnesota Legislature and DHS each took strong actions this year to improve oversight of the program, with more stringent requirements for vetting providers and additional tools for investigating fraud. However, as the scope of fraud in this program has become more apparent, DHS and the Governor’s Office have decided that Minnesota cannot afford to wait and see how effective these new program integrity measures will be.

DHS, with guidance from OIG, has determined that ending the program is a necessary step as DHS, OIG and partners don’t have sufficient capacity to continue the scale of investigatory work required.

In the coming months, DHS plans to work with many partners to potentially redesign and relaunch a program to support people at risk of homeless at some in the future, with improved program integrity tools built into the program up front.

HSS helps a person find and keep housing through supportive services. This change does not apply to the Housing Support program (formerly known as Group Residential Housing or GRH), which is a financial resource for adults with low incomes who have a qualifying disability or are 65 or older. It helps eligible recipients pay for their housing costs and sometimes pays for supportive services. Counties and Tribes administer the Housing Support program for the state and are responsible for determining eligibility.

DHS has not yet determined the date the HSS program will end, but it will not happen before Oct. 20, 2025. DHS has posted for public comment the State Plan Amendment that terminates the program, and the program will not be terminated until after the 30-day public comment period, and after CMS reviews and approves this action. Eligible HSS providers can continue to deliver services to enrolled individuals, and individuals may continue applying to the program at this time and until the program is terminated.

Eligible HSS providers can continue to deliver services to enrolled individuals and individuals may continue applying to the program at this time until the program is terminated.

Providers must submit complete and correct claims to MHCP no later than 12 months from the date of service. Please refer to billing for HSS claim submission and requirements and information under Timely Billing in Billing Policy Overview.

Individuals may continue applying to the program at this time until the program is terminated.

Yes. DHS will be initiating the Pre-Enrollment Risk Assessment (PERA) and additional documentation requirements that were put into law during the 2025 legislative session. The PERA requirements went into effect July 1, 2025, and additional documentation requirements Aug 1.

Documentation requirements are located under the billing section for Housing Stabilization Services in the MHCP Manual.

DHS intends to work with the Legislature, providers, community partners, and CMS to fully redesign the program with robust program integrity and service quality requirements. DHS does not know the specific timeframe for redesigning the program, as it would require approval from both the Legislature and CMS. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with HSS providers and enrollees.

Yes. DHS intends to work with the Legislature, providers, community partners, and CMS to fully redesign the program with robust program integrity and service quality requirements. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with HSS providers and enrollees.

DHS does not yet have information about requirements for provider enrollment of a redesigned program. The definition of these requirements will be part of the partner engagement process in developing a future program.

Clients may contact their Tribe or county about services available to them. If they have a waiver case manager or a targeted case manager, they can help clients access other services they may qualify for. You can find information about housing-related services at Housing Benefits 101.

DHS will be working with CMS on public notification, public response and helping enrollees and providers transition upon the conclusion of the program. As transition information and resources become available, they will be shared with HSS providers and enrollees.

The public comment period is required for any state plan amendment that is submitted to CMS. This specific public comment process aims to solicit feedback on the state plan amendment that would terminate the HSS program. All members of the general public are able to submit their feedback on the process for terminating the program, and share their perspectives on the impacts of the proposed amendment. DHS will review and respond to all comments in whatever form and length they are submitted.

DHS will review and respond to feedback submitted during the public comment period as it moves forward with program termination.

You can submit questions to dhshousingstabilization@state.mn.us. Due to the volume of inquiries, staff may not be able to provide an immediate response. Staff are committed to answering all questions, and will also track frequently asked questions for inclusion on this webpage. Check this webpage regularly for updates.

In recent months, DHS has stopped payments to many HSS providers suspected of fraud. DHS has also been working closely with state and federal law enforcement to investigate HSS providers suspected of Medicaid fraud.

The Minnesota Legislature and DHS each took strong actions this year to improve oversight of the program, with more stringent requirements for vetting providers and additional tools for investigating fraud. However, as the scope of fraud in this program has become more apparent, DHS and the Governor’s Office have decided that Minnesota cannot afford to wait and see how effective these new program integrity measures will be.

DHS, with guidance from OIG, has determined that ending the program is a necessary step as DHS, OIG and partners don’t have sufficient capacity to continue the scale of investigatory work required.

In the coming months, DHS plans to work with many partners to potentially redesign and relaunch a program to support people at risk of homeless at some in the future, with improved program integrity tools built into the program up front.

HSS helps a person find and keep housing through supportive services. This change does not apply to the Housing Support program (formerly known as Group Residential Housing or GRH), which is a financial resource for adults with low incomes who have a qualifying disability or are 65 or older. It helps eligible recipients pay for their housing costs and sometimes pays for supportive services. Counties and Tribes administer the Housing Support program for the state and are responsible for determining eligibility.

DHS has not yet determined the date the HSS program will end, but it will not happen before Oct. 20, 2025. DHS has posted for public comment the State Plan Amendment that terminates the program, and the program will not be terminated until after the 30-day public comment period, and after CMS reviews and approves this action. Eligible HSS providers can continue to deliver services to enrolled individuals, and individuals may continue applying to the program at this time and until the program is terminated.

Your current housing should not be affected by the termination of HSS. HSS helps a person find and keep housing but does not pay for the cost of housing.

You may contact your Tribe or county about services available to you. If you have a waiver case manager or a targeted case manager, they can help you access services you may qualify for. You can find information about housing-related services at Housing Benefits 101.

Eligible HSS providers can continue to deliver services to enrolled individuals at this time and until the program is terminated.

Individuals may continue applying to the program until the program is terminated.

You may contact your Tribe or county about services available to you. If you have a waiver case manager or a targeted case manager, they can help you access services you may qualify for. You can find information about housing-related services at Housing Benefits 101.

DHS intends to work with the Legislature, providers, community partners, and CMS to fully redesign the program with robust program integrity and service quality requirements. DHS does not know the specific timeframe for redesigning the program, as it would require approval from both the Legislature and CMS. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with HSS providers and enrollees.

Yes. DHS intends to work with the Legislature, providers, community partners, and CMS to fully redesign the program with robust program integrity and service quality requirements. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with HSS providers and enrollees.

DHS does not yet have information about requirements for enrollment in a redesigned program. DHS intends to work with the Legislature, providers, community partners, and CMS to fully redesign the program with robust program integrity and service quality requirements. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with HSS providers and enrollees.

The public comment period is required for any state plan amendment that is submitted to CMS. This specific public comment process aims to solicit feedback on the state plan amendment that would terminate the HSS program. All members of the general public are able to submit their feedback on the process for terminating the program, and share their perspectives on the impacts of the proposed amendment. DHS will review and respond to all comments in whatever form and length they are submitted.

DHS will review and respond to feedback submitted during the public comment period as it moves forward with program termination.

You can submit questions to dhshousingstabilization@state.mn.us. Due to the volume of inquiries, staff may not be able to provide an immediate response. Staff are committed to answering all questions, and will also track frequently asked questions for inclusion on this webpage. Check this webpage regularly for updates.