CADI Waiver: Minnesota's Community Access for Disability Inclusion Explained

Last reviewed: · Senova editorial team

Quick answer: The Minnesota CADI Waiver (Community Access for Disability Inclusion) lets adults under 65 who qualify medically for nursing-facility-level care live at home or in the community — with Medicaid paying for personal care, home modifications, adult day services, employment supports, and consumer-directed care. Most enrollees pay $0. This 2026 guide explains who qualifies, what's covered, and exactly how to apply through your county.

If you're under 65 and you (or someone you love) need substantial daily care, the words you've heard from professionals may have been "nursing facility" or "intermediate care." That's the default the system points families toward. It's also rarely what the person actually wants.

The CADI Waiver exists because Minnesota decided that disability and age should not be the reasons someone has to live in an institution. CADI is what makes living at home — with serious daily support — financially possible for thousands of Minnesotans every year.

We wrote this guide for the family that just got a diagnosis, the parent of a young adult with a disability, the person navigating life after a brain injury, and the social worker trying to explain a complex program in plain English.

What CADI Is

CADI is one of Minnesota's five Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. It uses Medicaid dollars that would normally pay for a nursing facility to instead pay for in-home and community supports that let the person stay in their own home, with their family, in their community.

CADI specifically covers Minnesotans who: - Are under 65 years old, AND - Medically qualify for nursing-facility-level care (significant ADL impairment), AND - Financially qualify for Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

For adults 65+, the equivalent is the Elderly Waiver. For people with developmental disabilities, the DD Waiver applies. For brain injury specifically, the BI Waiver.

Not sure which waiver fits? Take our free eligibility checker for a 3-minute personalized read.

Who Qualifies for CADI

To enroll, the applicant must meet all three criteria:

1. Be under 65 years old

At age 65, CADI participants transition to the Elderly Waiver. Some can stay on CADI past 65 if it's clinically appropriate, but the default path is to EW.

2. Medically qualify for nursing-facility-level care

This is determined through a MnCHOICES assessment — a free, in-person evaluation by a county or tribal assessor. The assessor evaluates whether the applicant needs substantial help with daily living activities (bathing, dressing, mobility, transferring, toileting, eating, medication management) at a level the state defines as "nursing-facility-equivalent."

Conditions that often qualify (not exhaustive): - Spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia - Multiple sclerosis, ALS, muscular dystrophy in adulthood - Severe rheumatoid arthritis, late-stage Parkinson's - Stroke or traumatic brain injury (acquired in adulthood) - Significant mental illness combined with functional impairment - Many other chronic conditions

You don't need a specific diagnosis — it's about function, not labels.

3. Financially qualify for Minnesota Medical Assistance

• Income limit (2026): Approximately 100% of Federal Poverty Level for the disabled MA category (about $1,255/month single, $1,704/month couple). Special income standards apply for some CADI enrollees.
• Asset limit: $3,000 in countable assets for single adults (the home, one vehicle, prepaid burial, and personal items are generally protected). Higher limits for married couples under spousal impoverishment rules.

Important: Even if you're slightly above MA income/asset limits, you may still qualify through a spend-down or by working with an elder-law / disability attorney to legally structure assets. Don't assume you don't qualify.

What CADI Covers

CADI is one of the most comprehensive HCBS waivers in the country. Authorized services include:

Personal care and home support

• Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services — daily help with bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, meals, medication reminders
• Homemaker services — meal prep, light cleaning, laundry related to care
• 24-Hour Customized Living — care in a residential setting with 24/7 supports

Day programs and employment

• Adult day services — see our Adult Day vs In-Home guide
• Day training & habilitation — skill-building programs
• Supported employment — job coaching, on-site support
• Prevocational services — preparing for employment

Home environment and equipment

• Home modifications — ramps, grab bars, accessible bathrooms, lift systems
• Specialized medical equipment & supplies
• Adaptive technology — communication devices, environmental controls
• Vehicle modifications for accessibility
• Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)

Caregiver and respite

• Respite care — short-term relief (in-home or facility-based)
• Caregiver training and counseling
• Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) — the participant directs their own care and can pay family members (other than spouses) to be caregivers

Behavioral & therapeutic

• Positive support strategies for challenging behaviors
• Behavior support training
• Crisis respite
• Therapeutic services (some categories beyond what regular MA covers)

Coordination

• Case management — a county or tribal case manager helps you build, monitor, and adjust the care plan
• Independent Living Skills (ILS) training
• Transition services if moving from a facility back to the community

How Much Will CADI Cost the Family?

For most CADI enrollees, services themselves are $0 out-of-pocket. Where costs do appear:

• Customized Living room and board is paid from the participant's income (with a personal needs allowance kept), if living in that setting
• A small MA premium for higher-income CADI participants (sliding scale)
• Optional services the family adds outside the waiver

Our cost calculator gives a rough estimate of out-of-pocket costs for your situation.

How to Apply — Step by Step

CADI applications run through your county human services office (or tribal nation if applicable).

Step 1 — Apply for Minnesota Medical Assistance

• Online: mn.gov/dhs → "Apply for Health Care"
• By phone: 651-431-2670 (Twin Cities) / 800-657-3739 (statewide)
• In person: Your county human services office
• Important: MA can be retroactive up to 3 months. If care is already happening, applying ASAP can capture coverage backward.

Step 2 — Request a MnCHOICES assessment

Contact your county or tribal human services office and specifically request a MnCHOICES assessment for CADI. The assessment is free, takes 2–3 hours, and happens at the applicant's home.

Tips for the assessment: - Have the applicant be at their typical baseline, not their best day. - Write down 3–5 specific recent examples of needed help (last week's bathroom fall, last month's medication mistake, the meal that didn't get eaten). - Have a family member or trusted advocate present.

Step 3 — Assignment of a case manager and lead agency

After eligibility is confirmed, the county assigns (or you can request) a case manager who builds the service plan with you.

Step 4 — Choose providers

You have the right to choose any provider enrolled with Minnesota DHS. Our directory at senova.info lists Minnesota-enrolled PCA agencies, adult day programs, home modification contractors, and other CADI-approved providers by city — free, verified, no signup.

Step 5 — Services begin

Once the plan is signed and providers are selected, services start — typically 2–4 weeks after the service plan is finalized. Faster for urgent situations.

Typical Timeline

• MA approval: 30–60 days from application
• MnCHOICES assessment: scheduled within 20 business days of request
• CADI eligibility decision: within 60 days of assessment
• Services begin: typically 2–4 weeks after plan signing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can CADI pay a family member to be the caregiver? Yes, under Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS), CADI participants can hire and pay family members other than a spouse to provide care. This is one of CADI's most impactful — and often unknown — benefits.

Is there a waiting list for CADI? Minnesota does not currently maintain a waiting list for CADI as of 2026. If you qualify medically and financially, you can enroll.

What's the difference between CADI, EW, and the DD Waiver? - CADI — under 65, physical disability or chronic illness requiring nursing-facility level of care - EW — 65 and older with similar functional needs - DD Waiver — developmental disability diagnosed before age 22 (with significant adaptive function limitations) - BI Waiver — acquired brain injury specifically - CAC Waiver — chronic medical condition requiring complex skilled care

A MnCHOICES assessor will help determine which waiver fits.

Can I work while on CADI? Yes — CADI specifically supports employment through supported employment services. Earned income may affect MA eligibility but Minnesota has special programs (MA-EPD) for working adults with disabilities.

Can I move with CADI? Yes — within Minnesota. Notify your case manager of any move so the plan can be updated. Moving out of state means transitioning to your new state's equivalent waiver program (or losing waiver coverage entirely).

What if my needs change? The service plan is reassessed annually, and earlier if needs change significantly. Tell your case manager any time circumstances shift.

Where to Start in Minnesota — Today

1. Senior LinkAge Line — 800-333-2433 (despite the name, they help all ages navigate Medicaid + waivers)
2. The Disability Hub MN — 1-866-333-2466 (state-funded; navigates disability resources statewide)
3. Your county human services office — request a MnCHOICES assessment for CADI
4. Senova eligibility checker — 3-minute free read on which waiver may apply

A Note From Senova

Minnesota built CADI because the state decided that having a disability shouldn't mean having to live in a facility. That's a value, not just a program. If you or someone you love qualifies, please use it. The family of every CADI participant we've talked to wishes they'd known sooner.

If you have a question this guide didn't answer, email help@senova.info. A real person will reply within one business day. No phone tree.

This guide is for general information and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Eligibility rules, income limits, and policy details change. Verify current details with Minnesota DHS (mn.gov/dhs), your county human services office, or a Minnesota disability-law attorney.

Related guides on Senova: - Minnesota Elderly Waiver Guide - How to Pay for Hospice With Medicaid in Minnesota - Adult Day Care vs. In-Home Care - Senova Eligibility Checker - Senova Cost Calculator

Reviewed by the Senova editorial team. Medical disclaimer: General guidance, not medical advice. Verify current eligibility and benefits with Minnesota DHS (mn.gov/dhs) or your licensed provider before making decisions.