Paying for care
How to Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in Michigan
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The short answer
In Michigan, a family member can often be paid to care for a loved one through Medicaid, most commonly the Home Help Program. The person receiving care must have Michigan Medicaid and need hands-on help with at least one daily activity, such as bathing or dressing. Most relatives can be the paid caregiver, but a spouse, or the parent of a child under 18, generally cannot be paid through Home Help.
Key takeaways
- Michigan Medicaid programs, mainly the Home Help Program, can pay a family member to provide personal care at home.
- Your loved one must have Michigan Medicaid and be assessed as needing hands-on help with at least one activity of daily living.
- Adult children, siblings, grandchildren, and other relatives can usually be paid. A spouse, or the parent of a minor child, generally cannot be paid through Home Help.
- A medical professional must certify the need for help, and an MDHHS adult services worker assesses how much help is needed.
- An agency like Bluelake can handle enrollment paperwork, training, and payroll.
If you already help a parent, grandparent, or other relative with bathing, dressing, and getting through the day, you may be able to get paid for that work. Michigan Medicaid has programs that pay family members to provide personal care at home. Here is who qualifies, which relatives can be paid, and how to start.
Which Michigan programs pay family caregivers?
The most common route is the Home Help Program, run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Home Help pays for hands-on personal care for Medicaid members who need it, and the person receiving care can choose a family member as their caregiver.
Some people qualify for the MI Choice Waiver instead, which serves adults who medically qualify for nursing home care but want to stay at home. Through its self-determination option, participants can choose and direct their own workers. Ask your MI Choice waiver agency whether a family member can be hired in your situation.
Who can receive care?
To get Home Help services, the person who needs care generally must:
- Have active Michigan Medicaid
- Have a medical professional certify that they need help because of a medical condition
- Be assessed by an MDHHS adult services worker as needing hands-on help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, or moving around
The adult services worker ranks how much help is needed with each activity. Under current MDHHS policy, a person must need at least some hands-on human help (ranked level 3 or higher) with at least one ADL to qualify. Once that is met, help with related household tasks, such as meal preparation, laundry, and housework, may also be approved.
Which family members can be paid?
Most relatives can be the paid caregiver, including:
- Adult sons and daughters
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws
- Close friends and neighbors
Under Home Help, two kinds of family members are generally not eligible to be paid: a spouse, and the parent of a child under 18. The law already expects them to provide care, so the program does not pay them for it.
Caregivers usually need to pass a background check and complete basic training before they can be paid.
Step by step: how to get started
- Confirm Medicaid. Your loved one needs active Michigan Medicaid. If they do not have it yet, you can apply through MI Bridges or your local MDHHS office.
- Apply for Home Help. Submit the Home Help application (form DHS-390) to your county MDHHS office.
- Get the medical certification. Your loved one's doctor, or another qualified medical professional, completes the medical needs form (MDHHS-6200) to certify that help is needed.
- Complete the in-home assessment. An MDHHS adult services worker visits to assess which daily activities your loved one needs help with, and for how many hours.
- Enroll as the caregiver. You complete provider enrollment, a background check, and any required training.
- Start providing care and get paid. Payment is based on the hours MDHHS authorizes.
The paperwork is where many families get stuck. Applications get returned for missing signatures, or forms go to the wrong office. Working with an agency that does this every day can make it much faster.
How Bluelake helps
Bluelake's Family Caregiver Program helps Michigan families through the whole process. We check eligibility, help complete the application and medical forms, coordinate with MDHHS, and handle training, scheduling, and payroll once care begins. Because you are the caregiver, the program is available to families anywhere in Michigan.
Taking care of yourself, too
Caring for a family member is meaningful, and it is also hard work. Plan for breaks before you need them. Respite care, even a few hours a week, gives family caregivers time to rest, keep their own medical appointments, and avoid burnout.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get paid to take care of my mom in Michigan?
Often, yes. If your mother has Michigan Medicaid and needs hands-on help with daily activities such as bathing or dressing, she may qualify for the Home Help Program and can choose you as her paid caregiver.
Can a spouse get paid to be a caregiver in Michigan?
Generally not through the Home Help Program, because a spouse is considered a responsible relative. Other programs may have different rules, so ask a care representative about your situation.
How many hours will I be paid for?
It depends on your loved one's needs. An MDHHS adult services worker assesses how much help is needed with each activity and authorizes a set number of hours.
Do I need to be a certified nursing assistant?
No. Family caregivers do not need to be CNAs. You will usually need to pass a background check and complete basic training.
Does my loved one have to live with me?
No. Your loved one can live in their own home or in yours. The care just needs to happen in a home setting, not a nursing facility.
Sources
This article is general information to help families plan care. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your own doctor or care team. If someone is hurt or in danger, call 911.