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Get paid to care for a family member in Minnesota

Minnesota law lets a spouse, or a parent of a minor, be a paid CFSS support worker within hour limits. We could not read DHS pages, so confirm current rules and status with DHS.

Carevo editorial team Updated October 27, 2026 Source checked by Carevo editorial team, October 27, 2026

Minnesota law lets a spouse, or a parent, stepparent or legal guardian of a participant under 18, be paid as a support worker under Community First Services and Supports (CFSS), within hour limits. We could not read DHS's own pages, so confirm the current rules and whether CFSS or PCA applies to you.

What the statute allows

Minnesota Statutes section 256B.85 sets these limits for a parent or spouse who is the support worker:

  • a spouse may provide up to 60 hours in a seven-day period;
  • a single parent of a minor may provide up to 60 hours in a seven-day period;
  • where more than one parent works, each may provide up to 40 hours, and together no more than 80 hours;
  • the wage must not exceed the current CFSS support worker rate, including wages, benefits and payroll taxes; and
  • the limits do not increase total authorized budgets or units.

Any support worker must not provide or be paid for more than 310 hours of CFSS per month, according to the statute.

Who cannot be paid

The statute excludes CFSS provided by a participant's representative or a paid legal guardian. The statute also lists legal guardians among those who can be support workers for a minor, so ask DHS how those two provisions fit together.

What a relative needs

The statute says a support worker needs a background study under chapter 245C with a notice that they are not disqualified or have a set-aside, and must complete training and pass a certification test. Where a paid parent or spouse is the worker, the statute requires a semiannual consultation review.

In the budget model the participant employs the worker and uses a fiscal management services provider. In the agency-provider model the worker is the agency's employee. Read CFSS in Minnesota.

What we could not verify

We could not read DHS pages, so we cannot confirm whether CFSS has replaced PCA for your case, how to get an assessment, or the current wage. Questions for DHS:

  • Am I on PCA or CFSS today?
  • Can my relative be the paid worker, and are the hour limits above current?
  • Which model should I use, and which FMS providers can I choose?

Call DHS on 800-657-3672, the consumer number Medicaid.gov lists.

See the Minnesota program overview, home care in Minnesota, home health in Minnesota, nursing homes in Minnesota and developmental disability services in Minnesota.

Carevo is a connection platform and directory. We do not enroll anyone as a paid caregiver, decide hours or pay, or run payroll. This page is marked noindex until we can cite DHS pages.

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Common questions

Can I get paid to care for my family member in Minnesota?

Possibly. Under Minnesota Statutes section 256B.85, a spouse, or a parent, stepparent or legal guardian of a participant under 18, can be a CFSS support worker within hour limits. The person receiving care must be eligible for CFSS.

How many hours can a spouse or parent be paid for?

A spouse may provide up to 60 hours in a seven-day period. A single parent of a minor may provide up to 60 hours. If more than one parent works, each may provide up to 40 hours and together no more than 80.

Is there a wage limit?

Yes. The statute says a parent or participant's spouse must not receive a wage that exceeds the current CFSS support worker rate, including wages, benefits and payroll taxes.

Who cannot be paid?

The statute excludes CFSS provided by a participant's representative or paid legal guardian.

Is this the rule for PCA too?

We did not read the PCA rules, so we do not say. The statute says CFSS replaces PCA upon federal approval, and we could not confirm whether that has happened.

How much does a family caregiver earn?

The statute text we read sets no wage. Ask DHS or your CFSS agency.

Sources

Review status: Carevo checked this page against the primary sources listed above. It has not been professionally reviewed by a registered nurse, licensed social worker, benefits counselor or attorney. See our editorial standards.

This page is general information, not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules and services vary by state and by individual circumstances. Use the official sources and decision-maker named on the page. Carevo is a connection platform, not a care provider.