A program of MEAction. Funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health's Long COVID Program.
You do not need a medical diagnosis to qualify.
What matters is how your symptoms affect you.
This is a pilot program of #MEAction
Living with Long COVID or a similar illness?
You’re not alone. Many people with fluctuating, energy-limiting illness have difficulty with everyday tasks like laundry, grocery shopping, or managing medications and doctor visits.
Help is available in your home and community
Minnesota’s Medical Assistance programs may pay for home help and other services. But applying can be hard—especially if you're dealing with fatigue, difficulty thinking, and symptoms that worsen after minimal activity.
Our navigator is here to guide you
We offer free, one-on-one support to guide you through every step of the application process. Our navigator understands energy-limiting illness and can assist remotely by phone, email, or mail.
Who this program is for
We support people with energy-limiting illness who experience fatigue, difficulty thinking, and symptoms that get worse after even small amounts of activity.
No diagnosis is needed—many people with these symptoms don’t have one.
Find out if you qualify.
Space is limited! Meeting these criteria does not guarantee assistance.
More about the program
At #MEAction we understand how hard energy-limiting illness can be
Our services are free to participants, but space is limited
This is a small trial exploring new ways to provide support
We're funded by the Minnesota Department of Health Long COVID Program
Apply here to get started. Read our FAQ to learn more.
A program of MEAction. Funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health's Long COVID Program.
Qualification Requirements
To receive assistance from our navigator you must meet all of these requirements:
You have fatigue, difficulty thinking, and some symptoms that worsen after minimal physical or mental activity (even if they vary from day to day)
Your symptoms make it difficult to do daily activities (e.g. laundry, meal prep, work/school, or activities outside the home)
You are open to getting help at home from someone paid through Medical Assistance (MA)
You need to be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying noncitizen (required to access Minnesota Medical Assistance)
You, or someone helping you, can communicate in English with our navigator through writing or talking
You are at least 18 years old
Space is limited! Meeting these criteria does not guarantee assistance.
Contact our navigator with any questions.
Apply here to get started. Read our FAQ to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible for the program?
Our program is for Minnesotans with energy-limiting illness who experience fatigue, difficulty thinking, and symptoms that get worse after even small amounts of physical or mental activity. Find out if you qualify.Some may have diagnoses of Long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), or a related condition, but no formal diagnosis is needed to use our services. We know many people with these symptoms don’t have one.
Space is limited! Meeting these criteria does not guarantee assistance.
2. What is Long COVID? What are related conditions?
Long COVID is when you have new or worsening symptoms at least 3 months after a COVID-19 infection. Related conditions include ME/CFS, dysautonomia (like POTS), and other infection associated chronic conditions that affect daily life.
You do not need a specific diagnosis to get help from the navigator. It is okay if you don't have a diagnosis that explains your symptoms. Find out if you qualify.
3. What is ME/CFS?
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic neurologic disease often preceded by infection. Learn more about the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS.
You do not need a specific diagnosis to get help from the navigator. It is okay if you don't have a diagnosis that explains your symptoms. Find out if you qualify.
4. What is energy-limiting illness?
We use the term energy-limiting illness to describe the group of symptoms our program is designed to support:
Fatigue
Difficulty thinking
Symptoms that worsen after minimal physical or mental activity—even if they vary from day to day
This is not a medical diagnosis. It’s a broad way of describing the symptoms our program is built around, so people know they can get help even if they don’t have a formal diagnosis that explains their symptoms.
Find out if you qualify for this program.
5. What can the navigator help me with?
The navigator helps you apply for home services through Minnesota's Medical Assistance (MA) program, including helping with paperwork and understanding your options. They can attend assessments, talk to case managers, and support you through each step. Their goal is to make the system easier for you to navigate.
6. What can’t the navigator do?
The navigator can’t provide crisis care, help with housing or food programs, or find you a doctor. They also can’t help with disability benefits like SSDI. But they can refer you to other resources like the Disability Hub MN.
7. What is Medical Assistance (MA)?
MA is Minnesota’s Medicaid program. It helps pay for care for people with low incomes, disabilities, and other qualifying needs. People with energy-limiting illnesses may qualify even if previously denied or over income limits under some circumstances. The navigator can help you understand your options for qualifying for MA.
8. What are the options for home aides in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s MA program offers different ways to get help at home. You might hire a family member, friend, or independent worker—or use a care agency. The navigator will help you understand your choices.
9. How can these services help me with my daily life?
Home aides can help with cooking, cleaning, and other daily tasks that may drain your energy. This support can free up energy for work, social activities, or rest—and help you live more independently.
10. How long does it take to get home aides?
The process can take several months or longer, depending on your situation. You can go at your own pace, and the navigator will support you through each step to help keep things moving.
11. How long will it take to receive help from the navigator?
We are a small pilot program and may not be able to assist everyone right away. If our program is full, we add people to a waitlist and contact them as openings become available. We give priority to those who identify as people of color and/or LGBTQ+.
12. Is there a cost for the navigator’s services?
No. This program is free to participants and funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health Long COVID Program.
13. How do I get started?
Apply here to get started or contact our navigator with any questions.
Apply for Home Help Navigation Assistance
Complete the form below to request assistance from our navigator.
Be sure to click the submit button at the end of the form. After submitting you will be redirected to a confirmation page.
Contact
Have questions not in the FAQ? Email, call, or text* our navigator.
The navigator can’t provide emergency or crisis services. (More on what they can and can't do.)
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: (612) 601-8909
TEXT (SMS): (612) 601-8909
Note: To start navigation services you must first apply.
*Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You can reply STOP to opt out at any time or HELP for more information. See our SMS Terms of Service for more information.
Book a Time to Meet with Our Navigator
Before booking a meeting you must apply to receive our services.
Help Spread the Word!
Know someone in Minnesota living with Long COVID, ME/CFS, or an energy-limiting illness who may need help at home with daily tasks?You can help connect them with free, one-on-one support to apply for in-home help.Download our flyer or graphics, or share our ready-to-use messages for social media, groups, newsletters, or email.
Share a Flyer
Share a Graphic
Post on Social Media
🧭 VERSION #1:
MN Home Help Navigator is your personal guide to applying for in-home help — free for Minnesotans living with #Long COVID, #MECFS, and energy-limiting illness. https://help.meaction.net/ @MEActNet VERSION #2
Fatigue, difficulty thinking, and symptoms worsened by activity? @MEActNet’s MN Home Help Navigator guides Minnesotans in applying for in-home help. https://help.meaction.net/ #LongCOVID #MECFS🪫 VERSION #3:
Living with an energy-limiting chronic illness? @MEActNet’s MN Home Help Navigator guides Minnesotans in applying for in-home help. https://help.meaction.net/ #LongCOVID #MECFS🧺 VERSION #4:
Daily tasks too hard? @MEActNet’s MN Home Help Navigator personally guides Minnesotans living with #Long COVID, #MECFS, and energy-limiting illness in applying for in-home support. https://help.meaction.net/🤔 VERSION #5:
Need a personal guide to applying for in-home help? Minnesotans living with fatigue, difficulty thinking & symptoms worsened by activity may qualify for @MEActNet’s MN Home Help Navigation Program. https://help.meaction.net/
Post in Groups or Newsletters
Free navigator to apply for in-home help for Minnesotans living with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and energy-limiting illness- Do you have fatigue?
- Do you have difficulty thinking?
- Do some of your symptoms get worse after minimal physical or mental activity?If you are 18+ and experience these symptoms, the Minnesota Home Help Navigation Program may be able to assist you with applying for in-home help. It's free for people living with Long COVID, ME/CFS and energy-limiting chronic illness. You do not need a specific diagnosis to qualify—what matters is how your symptoms affect you.In-home help can support you with cooking, cleaning, and other daily tasks—freeing up energy for work, social activities, or rest, and helping you live more independently.Learn more or apply: (in 5-10 mins)
https://help.meaction.net/Questions?
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (612) 601-8909Spread the word:
https://help.meaction.net/#shareThis is a program of MEAction funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health's Long COVID Program.NOTE: The navigator cannot provide emergency or crisis services. See website FAQ for program details.
Send an Email
MN Home Help Navigator—free for Minnesotans w/ Long COVID, ME/CFS, & energy-limiting illnessHi [INSERT NAME],I want to share a new free resource for Minnesotans living with energy-limiting chronic illness who need personal guidance to apply for in-home support: the Minnesota Home Help Navigation Program.Provided by #MEAction, a patient-led nonprofit, and funded by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Long COVID Program, the program’s navigator supports you through the entire application and eligibility process for getting in-home support.In-home help can support you with cooking, cleaning, and other daily tasks—freeing up energy for work, social activities, or rest, and helping you live more independently.It’s for people living with energy-limiting illness, including Long COVID, ME/CFS, and related conditions. You don’t need a specific diagnosis, but you must have fatigue, difficulty thinking, and symptoms that worsen after minimal physical or mental activity.Learn more or apply:
- Apply Now (5-10 mins)
- About the Program
- Qualification Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Help Spread the WordQuestions?
📧 [email protected]
📞 (612) 601-8909[YOUR NAME]P.S. The navigator cannot provide emergency or crisis services. See the FAQ for what they can and can't do.
Application Submitted!
Your application has been sent to our navigator, they will respond to all requests with more information about next steps. Space in this pilot program is limited. You may be placed on a wait list if we’re not able to assist you right away.If you have questions you can contact our navigator.
Please note the navigator can’t provide emergency or crisis services. (More on what they can and can't do.)
Text Messaging with the Navigator
You can choose to get text messages from our navigator in addition to email or phone. Texting can make it easier for people with energy-limiting illnesses to communicate.To get texts, you must first opt in. You can do this when you apply online or later by contacting the navigator.
SMS Terms of ServiceBy providing your mobile number, you agree to receive SMS messages from #MEAction's Minnesota Home Help Navigation Program. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You can reply STOP to opt out at any time or HELP for more information. For questions, contact us at [email protected] or (612) 601-8909.#MEAction's organization-wide terms of service can be found here.
Privacy Policy - SMS Opt-In and Phone Numbers#MEAction's Minnesota Home Help Navigation Program does not share or sell your SMS opt-in, or phone numbers for the purpose of SMS.The Minnesota Home Help Navigation Program application requires the submitting the following personal information including: your name, preferred pronouns, email, phone number, zip code, county, contact preference and SMS opt-in.This personal information is kept private and is not shared outside of the program. Our navigator uses this contact information in order to communicate with you about our free one-on-one assistance applying for in-home help through Medical Assistance in the appropriate county.#MEAction's organization-wide privacy policy can be found here.
