What Are 245D Services in Minnesota? A Guide for Families and Case Managers

If a case manager or support planner recommends “245D services,” the name can sound more complicated than the support itself. In plain language, 245D is the Minnesota law that sets licensing standards for many home and community-based services used by people with disabilities and adults age 65 and older.

245D isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. A person’s services should be based on assessed needs, preferences, goals, authorized funding, and a person-centered support plan.

What does “245D” mean?

Chapter 245D of Minnesota Statutes governs basic support services and intensive support services. The standards are meant to protect a person’s health, safety, welfare, and rights while requiring services to respond to their individual needs.

Minnesota law separates covered services into two broad groups:

• Basic support services provide assistance, supervision, and care needed for health and welfare without being specifically directed toward training, habilitation, or rehabilitation.
• Intensive support services include assistance, supervision, and care along with services directed toward training, habilitation, or rehabilitation.

Common 245D services in Minnesota

Minnesota law covers more services than any single provider offers. Truwell focuses on a handful of supports that help people live safely, build independence, and stay connected to their communities.

Individualized Home Supports (IHS)

IHS can help a person develop or maintain skills for daily living, community participation, household routines, communication, and greater independence. The authorized form of IHS may include training, family training, or support without training.

Learn more about Individualized Home Supports in Minnesota.

Night supervision

Night supervision provides awake overnight support when a person needs assistance, monitoring, or a response plan during nighttime hours. The service should match the person’s assessed needs and support plan.

Explore night supervision services.

24-hour emergency assistance

This service gives an enrolled person a way to request immediate help when an unexpected situation threatens their health or safety and the need is covered by their service plan. It is not a replacement for calling 911 during a medical or life-threatening emergency.

Read about 24-hour emergency assistance.

Crisis respite and intervention support

Crisis respite can provide short-term support during a behavioral or medical crisis when usual caregivers or services cannot safely meet the immediate need. Planning and authorization requirements vary by the person and funding source.

See Truwell’s crisis respite services.

Community Residential Services (CRS)

CRS provides residential supports in a licensed community setting. Supports may include supervision, personal care, skill development, household routines, medication assistance, and community participation based on the person’s plan.

Learn about Community Residential Services.

Employment services

Employment exploration, development, and support services can help a person identify work interests, prepare for employment, connect with employers, and maintain a job with the right level of ongoing support.

Explore disability employment services in Minnesota.

Who may qualify for 245D services?

Eligibility is not determined by a provider alone. It commonly involves an assessment and authorization through a county, tribal nation, managed-care organization, or another responsible lead agency. Funding may be connected to Minnesota waiver programs such as CADI, DD, BI, or CAC, depending on the person’s circumstances.

A case manager or care coordinator can help determine:

• whether the person meets program and service eligibility requirements;
• which needs are identified through the assessment;
• which services and amount of support are authorized;
• whether the provider serves the person’s county and can meet their needs; and
• how services will be documented in the person-centered plan.

For a funding overview, read our guide to Minnesota waiver programs.

How to choose a 245D provider

A provider is more than a name on a list. Ask the questions that show how the agency will support the actual person, not how it describes its program on paper.

1. Confirm licensing and service fit. Verify that the agency can provide the specific authorized service.
2. Ask about staffing. Discuss availability, training, background studies, supervision, and backup coverage.
3. Share the person’s goals. A good provider should explain how daily support connects to the person-centered plan.
4. Discuss communication. Clarify who communicates with the person, family, guardian, and case manager—and how often.
5. Review safety and incident response. Understand emergency procedures, reporting, medication support, and continuity plans.
6. Check geographic availability. Confirm that staff can reliably serve the person’s home and community.

How to start services with Truwell

Truwell serves people across the Twin Cities metro and surrounding Minnesota counties. Families, individuals, social workers, and case managers can begin by sharing the requested service, county, authorization status, preferred schedule, and important support needs.

You can submit a referral online, review our Minnesota service areas, or contact the Truwell team with questions.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and further reading

• Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.03: applicability and covered service categories
• Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.04: service recipient rights

This guide provides general information and is not legal or eligibility advice. Service availability and authorization depend on the individual’s assessment, support plan, funding, location, and current Minnesota requirements.