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HCBS Workforce Development Grant
Retention Bonuses

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Video: HCBS Workforce Development Grant – Introduction and How to Apply:
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Background

The Minnesota Legislature has created a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) workforce development grant program to attract and retain direct care workers who provide HCBS services for people with disabilities and/or older adults.

Benefits Available: Two (2) $575 Retention Bonuses

Workers who have worked as direct care providers of HCBS services for at least two years with the same person or provider agency and who earn 200% or less of the federal poverty level after taxes can receive up to two (2) $575 retention bonuses between April 1, 2023 and March 15, 2024 or as funding allows.

  • Applications received between April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 can receive two (2) $575 retention bonuses.

    • The first bonus will be issued in 2023 when the application has been verified. The second bonus will be issued in early January 2024. Workers will be notified when to expect their second bonus and do not need to resubmit an application.

  • Applications received between January 1, 2024 and March 15, 2024 can receive one (1) $575 retention bonus.

Who can Qualify

Only workers who have worked as direct care providers of HCBS services for at least two years with the same person or provider agency and who earn 200% or less of the federal poverty level after taxes can qualify for the retention bonuses if they meet and complete the following requirements.

How to Qualify

To receive the retention bonuses, workers must meet and complete the following requirements.

Requirement #1

Workers employed as direct care providers of HCBS services must earn 200% or less of the federal poverty level. The poverty guidelines are based on household size and after-tax income. The 2023 poverty guidelines are listed below. If you are unsure if you meet these guidelines, check with your employer/provider agency or your tax preparer.

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Verification of household income

To provide proof of income, you will be asked to submit a copy of your most recently filed 1040, 1040EZ or 1040A federal tax form with your application. You must also submit a copy of any individual in your household‘s most recently filed federal tax form with your application. If you do not meet the minimum income needed for filing taxes, submit a W-2 Wage and Tax Statement for all adults in your household.

Definition of household

A household is defined as the applicant plus spouse and any tax dependents. Follow these basic rules when including members of your household: Include your spouse if you are legally married. If you claimed someone as a tax dependent for the past tax year, include them as a part of your household. If you have not claimed them as a tax dependent, do not include them.

 

Requirement #2

Applicants must be employed as direct care providers of HCBS services for people with disabilities and/or older adults. This includes personal care assistants (PCA), as well as many other types of direct care positions. If you are not sure if your position falls under HCBS, you can:

  • Ask your employer/provider agency for clarification.

  • For some, but not all positions, you can search for your employer on the DHS Licensing Information Lookup site, which will note the “Type of service” on the search results page.

  • Ask a trusted tribal or county case manager you work with.

  • Visit the HCBS providers’ webpage for information on those services.

 

To verify that you work as a direct care provider of HCBS services, you will be asked to submit either:

  • A W-2 Wage and Tax Statement

  • An UMPI number (for PCA workers). If you do not know what yours is, contact your employer/provider agency.

Requirement #3

Applicants must have been employed as direct care providers of HCBS services for people with disabilities and/or older adults for at least two years with the same person or provider agency. This includes personal care assistants (PCA), as well as many other types of direct care positions.
 
To verify that you have provided HCBS services for at least two years with the same person or provider agency, you will need to provide

  • Your 2022 W-2 Wage and Tax Statement

  • Your 2021 W-2 Wage and Tax Statement

How to Apply

Once you confirm you are eligible to apply, click the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of this page. Before you apply, make sure you have the following documentation:

  1. Proof of income. You will be asked to submit a copy of your most recently filed 1040, 1040EZ or 1040A federal tax form with your application. You must also submit a copy of any individual in your household's most recently filed federal tax form with your application.

  2. Proof of employment from the previous two (2) years. To verify that you work as a direct care provider of HCBS services, you will be asked to submit your 2022 and 2021 W-2 Wage and Tax Statements and your 10-digit UMPI number (for PCA workers).

Questions?

  • For questions regarding whether you provide HCBS services for people with disabilities and older adults, you can:

    • Ask your employer/provider agency for clarification.

    • For some, but not all positions, you can search for your employer on the DHS Licensing Information Lookup site, which will note the “Type of service” on the search results page.

    • Ask a trusted tribal or county case manager you work with.

    • Visit the HCBS providers’ webpage for information on those services.

  • For questions regarding eligibility, whether you qualify for the retention bonuses, or help on how to complete the requirements for the retention bonuses, contact your employer/provider agency.

  • For questions regarding showing your proof of income, contact your employer/provider agency or your tax preparer.

  • For questions or issues regarding your application, email retentionbonuses@togevents.com. Do not email your tax forms to this email. Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

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