Daily living, skills & independence

Individualized Home Supports (IHS) in Minnesota

Build daily routines and work toward the life you choose. Truwell reviews Individualized Home Supports referrals for people seeking assistance or skill-building in their own home, family home, and community.

Submit an IHS Referral(612) 234-1533

Understand the service before choosing support

IHS is a specific Minnesota waiver service, not a general label for every kind of home care. Its four community living categories are community participation; health, safety and wellness; household management; and adaptive skills. Your assessed needs and chosen goals guide the support.

IHS without training

Assistance, cueing, and supervision connected to assessed daily living needs. For adults and children who need support using or maintaining skills rather than a training-focused service.

IHS with training

For adults who need purposeful teaching and practice in community living skills, with support alongside training.

Explore IHS with training

IHS with family training

For eligible children or adults living in the family home, with training for the person and/or family to support home and community living.

Explore IHS with family training

What could an IHS visit focus on?

Bring a goal in the person’s own words, such as “I want to feel more confident planning my week.” Ask how a visit would help with that goal and how the team would notice progress.

Discuss routines that are difficult, preferred communication, and what the person wants to do for themselves. A useful plan explains when staff should prompt, demonstrate, practice together, or step back. Examples are for planning; they are not a fixed menu or a promise of authorization.

IHS is not interchangeable with CFSS, nursing, or overnight staffing. Ask the case manager to check service boundaries and avoid duplicated support. The lead agency determines eligibility and authorization; Truwell reviews provider fit and capacity.

Referral checklist

Have these details ready for a service-fit conversation:

  • Exact IHS option requested or authorized
  • Current assessment, support plan, and chosen goals
  • County, living arrangement, and preferred visit locations
  • Requested days, times, and authorized amount
  • Communication, accessibility, and staff-matching preferences
  • Case manager contact and authorization status

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

  1. STEP 1

    Clarify the service

    Ask your case manager which IHS option fits the assessed needs and what is authorized.

  2. STEP 2

    Discuss provider fit

    Share location, goals, and scheduling needs so Truwell can review staffing and suitability.

  3. STEP 3

    Agree on the first visits

    Confirm the start date, responsibilities, communication plan, and how progress will be reviewed.

Minnesota service-area inquiries

Ask about IHS staffing in the Twin Cities, including Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Scott, and Carver counties, and about referrals elsewhere in Minnesota. A county name is not a promise of an available worker; confirm your exact location and schedule.

Review Truwell service areas

Frequently asked questions

How do I find an IHS provider in Minnesota?

Start with your case manager and the exact IHS option in your plan. Ask prospective providers about that option, your location, staffing, schedule, communication, and how they support your goals. Truwell can review a referral for service fit.

Which waivers may cover IHS?

IHS is available through the BI, CAC, CADI, and DD waivers when service-specific requirements are met. Waiver enrollment alone does not authorize IHS; the lead agency must review the person’s needs and plan.

Is IHS the same as personal care or CFSS?

No. IHS has its own support and training scope. Ask the case manager which service fits each need and how the plan avoids duplication with home care or other supports.

Can I choose IHS with training or family training myself?

Your preferences matter, but the authorized option must fit the applicable age, living arrangement, and assessed needs. Review the differences with your case manager before selecting a provider.

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.

Browse all Minnesota service guides

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.

Submit an IHS Referral