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Agency model, budget model and PCA Choice
Who the employer is under each option, and what you can choose within them.
Transition dates changed in 2026. Confirm yours with your county, tribal nation or health plan, or write to DHS.CFSS@state.mn.us.
CFSS agency model
The lead agency authorizes service units, you choose a CFSS provider agency, and the agency is the employer of your workers. DHS describes it as similar to traditional PCA. You still direct your care and can name preferred workers.
CFSS budget model
The lead agency authorizes dollars instead of units, and you are the employer who recruits, hires, trains and supervises your workers. You choose a financial management services provider to help with payroll and employer tasks.
Budget-model workers are part of the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa bargaining unit, and their employment terms are governed by the agreement between SEIU and the state. People on the Minnesota Restricted Recipient Program are not allowed to use the budget model.
PCA Choice
PCA Choice is the earlier option in which the person takes on some employer-related responsibilities, compared with traditional PCA, where the PCA provider agency handles all employer duties. PCA does not have a budget model. CFSS has two models, the agency model and the budget model.
Choices in either model
Both CFSS models let you buy allowable goods and services that replace human help or add independence, such as a grabbing tool to help dress or a laundry service, and a personal emergency response system. In the agency model a financial management services provider helps with those purchases.
In both models you may choose your spouse, the parent of a minor or another person who uses CFSS as a support worker. A worker cannot be your paid legal guardian or your participant's representative.
Shared services let two or three participants receive services from the same support worker at the same time under a written agreement. A person can begin or stop sharing at any time.
What changes day to day
In the agency model, the agency handles hiring, training, supervising and payroll, and your consultation services provider and supervising professional support the plan. In the budget model you handle those employer tasks yourself with help from the financial management services provider. In both models you can spread your units or dollars across the whole service plan year, unless you are on the Minnesota Restricted Recipient Program.
Under PCA, a qualified professional trained and supervised workers. In CFSS, a separate worker training and development budget replaces the qualified professional units, and the supervising professional must still train the worker, confirm they are competent and supervise them.
Which fits
The choice is yours, made with your consultation services provider, who explains both models. The getting started guide shows where that choice fits in the steps. The glossary defines the terms.
Common questions
What is the difference between the agency model and the budget model?
In the agency model an agency employs your workers and you get service units. In the budget model you are the employer, you get a budget in dollars, and a financial management services provider helps with payroll and employer tasks.
What does a consultation services provider do, and can my PCA agency be mine?
They explain your CFSS options, help you write your service delivery plan and give ongoing support. Your PCA or CFSS provider agency cannot also be your consultation services provider.
Can a family member be paid to be my caregiver?
Since October 1, 2024, a spouse or the parent of a minor can be paid as a support worker under CFSS. Friends, neighbors and other relatives can work if they meet requirements. Your paid legal guardian or participant's representative cannot.
Can I buy equipment or services with my CFSS budget?
Both models let you buy allowable goods and services that replace human help or add independence (for example a grabbing tool to help dress, or a laundry service) and a personal emergency response system (PERS).