On-call support
Agree on the contact method and how an enrolled person can request assistance for a situation within their plan.
Plan ahead for unexpected needs
24-Hour Emergency Assistance (24EA) in Minnesota
Arrange a clear way to request help before an unexpected situation occurs. Truwell reviews referrals for authorized 24-hour emergency assistance, also called 24EA, with response arrangements tailored to the person’s support plan.
Understand the service before choosing support
24EA is a Minnesota waiver service for on-call problem-solving, counseling, and/or timely assistance with a qualifying health or personal emergency. It does not mean a staff member is continuously in the home. The authorized plan specifies how and when support is available.
Individual response arrangements
Discuss telephone, remote, or in-person response as applicable. Confirm responsibilities and access arrangements during intake; no blanket travel-time promise is made here.
Equipment questions
DHS includes PERS equipment within the service framework. Ask which provider will supply or monitor any authorized equipment; do not assume a device is included in a Truwell referral.
Know what happens when you request help
Before enrollment is complete, ask for the actual service contact instructions—not just the agency’s general intake number. Discuss how the person will communicate their location, need, and preferred way to receive support.
Ask what staff will do if the first contact attempt fails, who else may be contacted with permission, and what requires emergency services. Practice finding the contact information in a format the person can use.
24EA is not scheduled overnight staffing, an open public crisis hotline, or a replacement for other services. If calls reveal a recurring need for scheduled assistance, ask the case manager to review the plan.
Referral checklist
Have these details ready for a service-fit conversation:
- Case manager and applicable waiver
- Current support plan and authorization status
- Living arrangement and existing supervision or services
- Situations requiring help and preferred communication method
- Location and any access or accessibility considerations
- Agreed response arrangements and equipment provider, if applicable
Ask intake how to share sensitive records securely. An initial inquiry does not require sending a full medical record by ordinary email.
From inquiry to a confirmed plan
- STEP 1
Review eligibility
Ask the lead agency whether 24EA fits the living arrangement, assessed needs, and existing services.
- STEP 2
Confirm the provider
Truwell reviews the referral, requested response arrangements, and local capacity before accepting services.
- STEP 3
Confirm how to get help
Before starting, confirm authorization, start date, service contacts, and escalation instructions.
Minnesota service-area inquiries
Ask about 24EA service fit in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Scott, Carver, and other Minnesota counties. Coverage must be confirmed for the person’s actual location and response plan; a county page does not guarantee in-person availability.
- Hennepin County
- Ramsey County
- Dakota County
- Anoka County
- Washington County
- Scott County
- Carver County
- Wright County
Frequently asked questions
What does 24EA mean?
24EA is shorthand for 24-hour emergency assistance. In Minnesota it is a defined waiver service, not a general promise of round-the-clock in-home care.
Does a waiver approval automatically enroll me in 24EA?
No. The lead agency must review service eligibility and authorization, and a provider must confirm acceptance and start arrangements. Keep existing emergency and backup plans in place while a referral is pending.
Can I request support if I live with a caregiver?
DHS includes an eligibility pathway for a person living with a primary caregiver who needs extensive support to secure emergency help. Ask the lead agency to review the specific circumstances and current service rules.
How fast will someone arrive?
There is no universal arrival time stated here. Review the response method and expectations for your location before services begin. An immediate response may use a suitable alternative to physical presence. Call 911 when necessary.
Does 24EA include night supervision?
No. It does not cover a staff member sleeping or awake overnight in the home. A case manager must evaluate scheduled overnight assistance and any overlap with other services separately.
Official service information
Reviewed September 24, 2026. General service information, not an eligibility decision. Current DHS rules, authorization, and provider capacity apply.
Helpful guides for planning support
Explore waiver programs, compare services, and learn what to discuss with your case manager before a referral.
24EA or Night Supervision? Planning the Right Support in Minnesota
Understand the difference between Minnesota 24-hour emergency assistance and night supervision, plus questions to ask before enrolling with a provider.
24-Hour Emergency Assistance in Minnesota: What It Covers and When to Use It
How Minnesota 24-hour emergency assistance works, what an authorized response may include, and how the service differs from 911, crisis respite, and scheduled support.
Your Minnesota Waiver Is Approved: What to Do Next
Minnesota waiver approved? Understand CADI, DD, BI, CAC, and common waiver terms, then learn how to choose a provider and start authorized services.
Talk through the next step
Share your service question, location, and referral status. We can review what may fit and what still needs to be confirmed.
Request a 24EA Intake Review