Trusted Home Care
in Michigan
Get Paid by Michigan Medicaid!
Family Love Care helps Michigan families access the Home Help Program and MI Coordinated Care so you can get paid for caring for your loved ones.
We guide caregivers through the enrollment process for both Home Help and MI Coordinated Care and stays involved for the duration of your care.
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Overview
Get Paid to Care for Your Loved Ones in Michigan
Are you currently providing care for an aging parent, a disabled adult child, a friend, or another loved one in Michigan? You may be eligible to get paid for the essential support you provide every day. Many people across the state are unaware that the Michigan Home Help Program allows family members, friends, and other trusted caregivers to receive financial assistance for providing care at home.
At Family Love Care, our team helps caregivers navigate the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Home Help Program. Whether you are a family member, friend, or other trusted caregiver, we help connect your caregiving with the financial support available through the program. As of 2026, Michigan has increased the hourly pay rate for Home Help caregivers, making it more sustainable to provide high-quality care at home.
Not sure which program is right for you?
Select the situation that best describes your family
Home Help Program
Understanding Michigan's Home Help Program
The Michigan Home Help Program is a Medicaid-funded initiative designed to support disabled individuals and seniors who require assistance with daily living activities. The goal of the Help program is to allow individuals to remain in their communities and their own homes rather than being placed in more restrictive nursing facilities.
This program works by allowing the person receiving care to hire a provider of their choice — often a family member — to assist with personal care services. Because it is funded through Michigan Medicaid, it is a vital resource for those who meet the eligibility requirements based on both medical need and monthly income.
How You Can Become a Paid Family Caregiver
The transition from being a volunteer family caregiver to a professional, paid family caregiver involves a specific enrollment process. While the state manages the funds, agencies like Family Love Care help you gain access to these Medicaid benefits by managing the "red tape."
To get paid as a caregiver in Michigan, you must be registered in the state's CHAMPS enrollment system. This is the Michigan Department of Health's provider database. Our team ensures that both the caregiver and the receiving care individual have all their paperwork submitted correctly to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Programs
Michigan Medicaid Programs
Home Help Program
Get paid to care for a family member or friend through Michigan's largest personal care program. An entitlement — if you qualify, you're guaranteed a spot.
- $18+/hr through Family Love Care
- No waiting list — guaranteed enrollment
- Adult children, siblings, friends eligible
MI Coordinated Health
Michigan's new integrated plan that bundles medical, pharmacy, and long-term care for dual eligible individuals (Medicare + Medicaid).
- Bundles medical, pharmacy, and LTSS
- $0 for covered in-network services
- Replaced MI Health Link (Jan 2026)
MI Choice Waiver
For individuals who meet nursing facility level of care but prefer to receive home and community-based services instead.
- Home care alternative to nursing home
- Comprehensive HCBS services
Caregiver Compensation
2026 Pay Rates
State Direct
$17.13/hr
$13.73 base + $3.40 supplement
Family Love Care
$18+/hr
Bi-weekly direct deposit
Payment
Bi-weekly
Hours
50–179/mo
2027 Outlook
~$18.40+/hr
Services
The Home Help Program covers a wide range of daily activities and personal care services, including
The Home Help Program covers a wide range of daily activities and personal care services, including:
Eligibility
Michigan Home Help Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Michigan Home Help Program, there are two main pillars of eligibility: Medicaid status and clinical need.
Michigan Medicaid Status: The person receiving care must have active Michigan Medicaid. If they are currently over the income limit, there may still be Medicaid waivers or "spend-down" options available to help them qualify.
Clinical Need: A medical professional must certify that the individual requires assistance with at least one activity of daily living.
Michigan Resident Requirement: The client must be a Michigan resident.
Eligibility
Who Is Eligible to Be Paid?
Under the Michigan Home Help guidelines, most family members can become paid caregivers. You can be a child, a grandchild, a sibling, or a friend. However, there are specific exclusions:
Spouse: Currently, a spouse cannot be the paid family caregiver for their partner under this specific Help program.
Parents: Parents of minors cannot be eligible to be paid for providing care to their own children under 18.
Why Family Love Care
Why Choose Family Love Care Over Another Agency?
Many agencies treat caregivers like a number. At Family Love Care, we treat you like family. Our focus is on the well-being of the person receiving care and the financial stability of a caregiver.
We have helped more Michigan families successfully navigate the Home Help Program than most agencies in the state. While many newer agencies are still learning the system, our experienced team understands the complex MDHHS process and works directly with local health departments to help move applications forward and reduce delays.
We were once new to the process, too, so we understand the obstacles caregivers face. Inexperienced agencies can lead to rejected applications, missing documentation, and long delays — often at the caregiver's expense. Our expertise helps you avoid those costly mistakes.
Caregivers receive much more than just a paycheck when they work with us. We provide:
Timely, Reliable Pay
Caregivers are paid on time with a simple and streamlined system for submitting hours and required documentation.
Expert Application Support
We guide you through the Michigan Home Help Program application process, helping prevent errors that can delay or jeopardize approval.
Strong Local Connections
Our long-standing relationships with local health departments help us navigate the system efficiently and cut through unnecessary red tape.
Proactive Caregiver Support
Our team provides ongoing guidance, answers questions quickly, and helps update care plans as your loved one's needs change.
Maximum State Pay Rates
We ensure caregivers receive the highest allowable Michigan Home Help hourly rate, which increased again in 2026.
Working directly with DHS as an individual caregiver can be confusing and time-consuming. Family Love Care simplifies the process so you can focus on what matters most — providing quality care for your loved one at home.
Application
The Application Process: Step-by-Step
Navigating human services and health department forms can be overwhelming. We have refined the process into four simple stages:
Initial Screening: We review your Michigan Medicaid status and current caregiving services to ensure you meet the baseline eligibility.
Medical Certification: We help you coordinate with a doctor to complete the Michigan Department form (MDHHS-5534) certifying the need for home help.
Department Assessment: An MDHHS caseworker will visit the Michigan home to determine the number of hours the caregiver will be paid to care for the client.
Receive Payment: Once the CHAMPS enrollment is complete, you begin to receive payment directly for the work you are already doing.
Long Term Care and Future Planning
Choosing to keep a family member at home is a significant decision for their long-term care. The Michigan Home Help Program provides the financial support necessary to make this a reality. By utilizing personal care services at home, your loved ones maintain their dignity and independence.
Our dedicated team at Family Love Care is committed to the health and happiness of Michigan families. We understand that providing care is a full-time job, and we believe that caregivers should be compensated fairly for their vital role in the human services ecosystem.
Comparison
Program Comparison
Compare eligibility, services, and requirements across Michigan Medicaid programs
Michigan Medicaid Home Help
Home Help Program
Program type
Waiting list
Who qualifies
Family caregivers
Pay rate
HIDE-SNP / D-SNP Plan
MI Coordinated Health
Program type
Waiting list
Who qualifies
Family caregivers
Pay rate
Home & Community-Based Waiver
MI Choice Waiver
Program type
Waiting list
Who qualifies
Family caregivers
Pay rate
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Care for a Loved one —
And get paid!
With Family Love Care, you can get paid to care for a family member or friend!
Paid by Medicaid!
Contact Us to Learn More
Sign in to auto-fill your info
Your data is secure, private, and HIPAA compliant.