Update on COVID-19 waivers and end of the state peacetime emergency

On June 30, the Minnesota Legislature voted to end the state peacetime emergency effective Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. This will end the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency authority the Department has under Executive Orders 20-11 and 20-12 to seek federal authority to change or waive federal requirements and to modify and waive certain statutes and rules related to DHS programs. We have used this authority to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are quickly working to analyze the language in the 2021 HHS Omnibus bill that modified the transition timeline for a number of the COVID-19 “CV waivers and modifications” and also made several pandemic changes a part of permanent state law. We will be making updates to our DHS waivers and modifications website to reflect revised dates soon. Please watch DHS bulletins, manuals and other regular communication channels for program-specific guidance over the coming weeks.

Thank you for your commitment to serving Minnesotans during this unprecedented time.