Department of Human Services delays leave Minnesotans with disabilities in limbo

Minnesota’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is failing to meet its most basic obligations — and the consequences are devastating. For Minnesotans with disabilities, the department’s inaction is not just a bureaucratic failure — it’s a denial of dignity, independence and legal rights. DHS’s ongoing delays in processing essential waiver applications and service authorizations are in direct violation of its own federally approved waiver plan amendments and state statutory timelines. The delays are leaving hundreds of individuals in limbo, unable to move into affordable, accessible housing or receive the services they are legally entitled to. The result is a growing crisis that undermines the very purpose of our state’s disability support systems. These failures are forcing people to remain in hospitals, group homes or other institutional settings long after they are ready to transition into more independent, community-based living. This is not only a violation of the principles of person-centered care — it’s a violation of federal law under the Olmstead decision, which guarantees individuals the right to live in the least restrictive environment possible. The story of Justina Blatterman, recently reported by KSTP, is just one example. Justina, who requires 24-hour care in a fully-accessible setting, has waited over a year for DHS to approve a simple service change that would allow her to move into an accessible apartment she’s been waiting for since 2021. Despite submitting all required documentation, the application remains unprocessed — forcing her to choose between losing her care or losing her housing opportunity. But this crisis extends far beyond individual stories. Small, community-based providers — especially those led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) — are being pushed to the brink. These providers often serve the most marginalized populations and operate on razor-thin margins. When DHS delays payments or fails to authorize services in a timely manner, these providers are forced to absorb the cost or turn away clients. This not only threatens their survival — it deepens racial disparities in access to care. Compounding the issue is DHS’s flawed and constantly evolving system for prioritizing applications. The current criteria, among other issues, fail to account for critical factors such as the affordability and accessibility of housing, or whether 24/7 staffing and nursing care are available at a given location. As a result, individuals with rare opportunities to move into truly supportive, accessible and sustainable housing are deprioritized, while DHS processes other cases that may not carry the same urgency or risk of loss. This approach is not only inefficient — it’s deeply inequitable. Even as the state promotes its “Waiver Reimagine” initiative, DHS continues to fall short of its current obligations. The department has acknowledged a backlog of over 400 applications, yet has offered no clear plan to resolve it. There is no transparency, no accountability and no urgency from leadership. Minnesota has long been regarded as a national leader in disability rights and inclusion. But that reputation is rapidly eroding. DHS’s persistent failure to follow its own rules and meet legally mandated timelines is not merely a policy lapse — it is a civil rights crisis. People with disabilities, and the providers who support them, should not have to fight for access to services that are already guaranteed under state and federal law. Josh Berg Credit: P:hoto courtesy of Josh Berg We need urgent, decisive action to restore trust in DHS. The backlog must be cleared. Statutory timelines must be enforced. And leadership must be held accountable for the harm caused by inaction. The solutions are not out of reach — there are many advocates, providers, and community leaders ready and willing to support DHS in making the necessary reforms. Unfortunately, current leadership has shown little interest in working collaboratively or transparently. This unwillingness to engage constructively has left the system at a dangerous impasse — one where people’s lives and well-being hang in the balance. Until meaningful change occurs, Minnesotans will continue to suffer — not because the resources don’t exist, but because the systems designed to deliver them are broken, and those in charge are failing to fix them. Josh Berg is the director of Minnesota Services & Strategic Growth for the nonprofit Accessible Space, Inc. The post Department of Human Services delays leave Minnesotans with disabilities in limbo appeared first on MinnPost.