Paid to care for family in Michigan?
If you or someone you love is on Medicaid in Michigan and needs help with daily life at home, a family member or friend may be able to get paid for providing that care, through a state program called Home Help. Here is how it works, in plain language.
Illustrative artwork.
What Home Help is
Home Help is a Michigan Medicaid program run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). It pays for personal care at home for people who need hands-on help with everyday activities - things like bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, moving around, or using the bathroom. The program is open to Medicaid clients of all ages. After an in-home assessment, the state sets the exact tasks and hours it will pay for. The state's handbook notes there is no fixed cap on hours, but only the assessed and authorized hours are paid.
When you hire an individual caregiver, you are the employer and the state pays them for the authorized care they provide. If you use an agency instead, the agency is the employer and handles that side for you.
Who can be the paid caregiver
Most family members and friends can serve, as long as they are 18 or older and pass the state's enrollment screening. A few cannot be paid under the program's rules:
- A spouse caring for their spouse.
- A parent caring for their minor child.
- Anyone under 18.
- People with certain criminal history exclusions. Some exclusions are absolute; for others, you can choose to sign a form allowing that person to care for you anyway.
Caregivers enroll with the state through an online system called CHAMPS, which includes the background screening, and must be approved before they can be paid. Enrollment help is free through MDHHS at michigan.gov/homehelp or 800-979-4662.
What it pays
As of January 1, 2026, the state pays individual Home Help caregivers $17.13 per hour for authorized hours. A caregiver's monthly pay depends on the hours the state approves for you. Payments come from the state, not from you, after the caregiver verifies the visits they provided.
How to get started
Applying takes two forms, both free:
- DHS-390, the Adult Services Application - signed by you or your legal guardian.
- DHS-54A, the Medical Needs Form - completed by your doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist or physical therapist.
You can get both from your local MDHHS office or online at michigan.gov/adultservices under Forms and Publications. After you apply, an adult services worker visits your home, asks about the daily tasks you need help with, and decides your approved hours. You'll get a written decision within 45 days. If you're approved, your caregiver enrolls with the state and must be approved before they can be paid - and payment covers only the authorized services.
Where an agency fits
Some families are happy managing the paperwork themselves. Others prefer an agency to handle enrollment forms, scheduling, visit verification and payroll so they can focus on the care itself. Mitten Family Care is a new Michigan home care agency preparing to launch, with plans to support care provided by clients' own family and friends. We are not accepting clients yet while required approvals are completed, but we're glad to answer questions as you figure out your options.
Official sources
MDHHS Home Help for clients · Home Help Client Handbook (MDHHS-Pub-1733) · michigan.gov/homehelp (caregiver enrollment) · michigan.gov/adultservices (application forms) · 2026 pay rates (ASM 138) · Caregiver rules (ASM 135)