What is Individualized Home Support?
Individualized Home Supports (IHS) are licensed support services that help individuals with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities. IHS services provide personalized assistance to help you reach your full potential, increase independence, and achieve community inclusion goals based on your assessed needs.
In Minnesota's person-centered approach, you guide your services, which means you can select, hire, train, and manage your own staff. This includes the ability to hire family members and friends who know and understand your needs.
IHS vs. Other Services
Unlike personal care assistance (PCA) which focuses primarily on activities of daily living, IHS emphasizes skill-building, community participation, and increasing independence through training and support.
Who Qualifies in Minnesota
To receive IHS services in Minnesota, you must meet specific eligibility criteria:
Required Qualifications:
- Live in your own home or family's home
- Enrolled in a qualifying Minnesota waiver program
- Have assessed needs in community living areas
- Provider has no financial interest in your housing
Qualifying Waiver Programs:
- Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
- Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI)
- Community Alternative Care (CAC)
- Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
Three Types of IHS Services
Minnesota offers three distinct IHS service options based on your age, living situation, and support needs:
IHS Without Training
Provides support in community living activities. Available to both adults and children.
Includes:
- • Cueing and guidance
- • Skill maintenance
- • Assistance with daily activities
- • Direct supervision when needed
Best for:
- • Maintaining current skills
- • Safety monitoring
- • Community participation
- • Household management support
IHS With Training
Provides both support and training. Available to adults only.
Includes:
- • Skill-building instruction
- • Community integration training
- • Employment preparation
- • Independence skill development
Best for:
- • Learning new skills
- • Increasing independence
- • Job readiness training
- • Community living skills
IHS With Family Training
Provides support and training to both the individual and their family. Available to children and adults living in the family home.
Includes:
- • Family education and support
- • Caregiver training
- • Home environment optimization
- • Crisis prevention strategies
Best for:
- • Strengthening family caregiving
- • Teaching family members
- • Home-based skill building
- • Preventing crises
What Services Are Included
IHS covers support and training in four main community living categories:
Community Participation
- • Community mobility and safety
- • Resource access and navigation
- • Social skills development
- • Recreation and leisure planning
- • Transportation skill-building
Household Management
- • Cooking and meal planning
- • Household chores and maintenance
- • Budgeting and money management
- • Personal needs purchasing
- • Tenancy support and advocacy
Health, Safety & Wellness
- • Healthcare coordination
- • Self-care support and training
- • Health services coordination
- • Wellness goal planning
- • Resiliency building
Adaptive Skills
- • Crisis prevention skills
- • Positive behavior support
- • Problem-solving strategies
- • Functional skill development
- • Self-sufficiency support
How to Get Started
Follow these steps to enroll in IHS services in Minnesota:
Contact Your County or Lead Agency
Determine program eligibility by finalizing your Medical Assistance (MA) application and completing necessary assessments like MnCHOICES.
Available in all Minnesota counties through county social services or lead agencies.
Select Your IHS Provider
Choose a 245D licensed provider like Truwell. Inform your case manager of your choice.
Truwell serves the Twin Cities metro area and surrounding counties.
Complete Intake Meeting
Meet with your provider to complete enrollment, discuss your needs, and understand the program.
Meetings can be in-person, virtual, or by phone based on your preference.
Develop Your Support Plan
Work with your team to complete the Community Supports Services Plan (CSSP) and Individual Assessment and Planning Process (IAPP).
Plans are person-centered and based on your specific goals and needs.
Begin Services
Start hiring your workers, complete required training, and begin receiving services with ongoing provider support.
Services can typically begin within 72 hours to 2 weeks after plan approval.
Documents You May Need
Eligibility Documents:
- Medical Assistance (MA) card
- Waiver eligibility determination
- MnCHOICES assessment
- Social Security card
- Photo identification
Service Planning Documents:
- Community Supports Services Plan (CSSP)
- Individual Assessment and Planning Process (IAPP)
- Medical history and current medications
- Emergency contact information
- Provider service agreement
Timelines & What to Expect
Typical Timeline
What to Expect:
- Regular check-ins with your case manager and provider
- Ongoing training and support for workers you hire
- Annual service plan reviews and updates
- 24/7 support for emergencies and questions
Costs & Coverage
Good News: No Cost to You
IHS services are covered by your waiver program and Medical Assistance. There are no co-pays or deductibles for eligible individuals.
What's Covered:
- • All IHS services up to your authorized hours
- • Worker wages and benefits
- • Provider administrative services
- • Training and ongoing support
- • Payroll and tax management
What's Not Covered:
- • Personal items and household supplies
- • Home modifications or equipment
- • Transportation costs
- • Entertainment and recreation activities
Disclaimer: This information is for general education purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Coverage may vary based on individual circumstances and waiver programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IHS and personal care assistance (PCA)?
IHS focuses on skill-building and community integration, while PCA primarily provides assistance with activities of daily living. IHS can include training components and is available through waiver programs, whereas PCA is available through Medical Assistance.
Can I hire family members as IHS workers in Minnesota?
Yes, you can hire family members and friends as IHS workers. This is one of the key benefits of the program - you choose and hire your own staff who know and understand your needs.
How many hours of IHS can I receive per day?
IHS is limited to a maximum of 16 hours per day of in-person services. The exact amount depends on your assessed needs and person-centered support plan.
Which Minnesota counties offer IHS services?
IHS services are available statewide through county agencies and lead agencies. Contact your local county social services or lead agency to determine availability in your area.
Can IHS services be provided remotely?
Yes, remote support is available for check-ins, consultation, and verbal cues. However, in-person support must be available at least once per week, and remote services are limited to 730 hours per year.
What is the difference between IHS with training and IHS with family training?
IHS with training is for adults only and focuses on teaching the individual new skills. IHS with family training includes both the individual and their family in the training process to increase the family's caregiving capabilities.
How long does it take to start IHS services after approval?
Once approved and enrolled with a provider like Truwell, services can typically begin within 72 hours to 2 weeks, depending on staff availability and your specific needs.