For Case Managers · Waiver Staff · Families
Newer Minnesota customized living settings may only serve CADI and BI clients 55 and older. See the rule, the options under 55, and 55+ settings by county.
About This Waiver
In Minnesota, "55+" is more than a housing preference — it is a licensing rule that shapes where waiver clients can be placed. Customized living settings that enrolled with DHS on or after January 11, 2021 may only serve people on the CADI and BI waivers who are age 55 or older; DHS blocks authorizations for younger clients in these settings and publishes a monthly list of them. For case managers, that means clients aged 55–64 on CADI or BI have a dedicated pool of eligible assisted-living-style settings — and finding one with an actual opening is the hard part. Once a client turns 65, the Elderly Waiver typically takes over and the restriction no longer applies.
The 55+ restriction applies to customized living under the CADI and BI waivers in settings enrolled on or after January 11, 2021. Clients under 55 can still receive customized living in settings enrolled before that date, or residential services in a CRS group home or adult foster care. Eligibility for the underlying waiver runs through a MnCHOICES assessment with the county or Tribal Nation.
New to waivers? Read our guide to Minnesota waivers and how to apply.
Find Providers
Open a care type to browse licensed providers by county and see openings when providers update capacity.
Assisted living in Minnesota provides housing with personal care for seniors and adults who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals. Facilities are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and range from smaller residential settings to larger communities. Capacity Track helps case managers and families compare licensed options by county and see openings when providers update capacity.
Community Residential Setting (CRS) group homes provide 24-hour residential support for adults with disabilities, brain injuries, and mental health conditions. Licensed under Minnesota’s 245D framework by the Department of Human Services, CRS is one of the most requested placement types for waiver-funded services. Capacity Track lists licensed CRS providers statewide and shows openings when claimed providers update capacity.
Adult foster care provides licensed residential support in family-home settings, typically serving one to four people. Caregivers live on-site or provide around-the-clock presence in a more personal environment than larger group homes. Homes are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Capacity Track lists adult foster care by county and shows openings when providers update.
Choose the care type and county, describe the needs once, and we email every matching licensed provider that takes email inquiries. You get a list of the ones who reply. No names or medical details needed.
Free for case managers and families.
Common Questions
Customized living settings whose DHS enrollment shows they became operational on or after January 11, 2021 may only serve CADI and BI waiver clients who are 55 or older. The limit is programmed into MMIS, so a service authorization for a younger client in one of these settings simply will not go through. DHS updates its list of 55+ settings monthly.
Three paths: a customized living setting enrolled with DHS before January 11, 2021; a 245D community residential setting (CRS) group home; or adult foster care. Note also the 2021 moratorium: no new CADI or BI customized living settings serving four or fewer people in single-family homes — that inventory is capped, which makes live openings data even more valuable.
It starts with a MnCHOICES assessment through the county or Tribal Nation. For clients 55–64, a county case manager coordinates CADI or BI services. At 65+, most people move to the Elderly Waiver through MSHO or MSC+ managed care, where the health plan’s care coordinator authorizes the placement. Families can also get free options counseling from Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 800-333-2433.
The waiver pays for services, never rent. Room and board comes from the client’s income, and low-income clients often qualify for Housing Support (formerly GRH), which pays a monthly room-and-board rate in assisted living, adult foster care, and board and lodge settings.
No. The restriction is specific to CADI and BI customized living in newer settings. Elderly Waiver customized living (65+) is not affected, and the 2021 single-family-home moratorium also does not apply to EW.
Other Waivers
All Minnesota Waivers & Funding Programs · Medicaid Waivers in Other States