Home Help Services

The Michigan Medicaid Waiver Program For Family Caregivers

Michigan has a statewide Medicaid program called The Home Help Program that supports individuals who need or want to care for a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. Through this program, and in partnership with home care agencies like Guardian Home Care of MI, family caregivers can receive wages and benefits for the care they provide. They also receive recognition and support so they can deliver care without compromising their needs and well-being.

What Are MI's Eligibility Criteria To Be As a Family Caregiver?

Family caregivers must be at least 18 years old, may be a relative, friend, neighbor of the care seeker, or health care agency, and capable of providing the necessary care

There are also criteria on the person they give care to:

The care seeker must be a Michigan resident.

They cannot be the spouse or the minor child of the caregiver.

They must have physical or mental limitations that prevent them from performing daily living tasks.

Their income, assets, and home ownership must meet Medicaid limitations (the link takes you to the Home Help Program page of the Medicaid Planning Assistance website).

What Documentation Is Needed To Apply For The Home Help Program?

The application process for the Michigan Home Help program involves submitting the required forms to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). It is important to note that the application process may take time, as MDHHS allows adult services workers 45 days to make an eligibility determination.

To apply, caregivers must complete various forms and provide necessary documentation, including:
Pass Background Check

While individuals with criminal records can still be paid caregivers, certain crimes may disqualify them.

Register on CHAMPS

Caregivers must get registered in the State of Michigan's CHAMPS system in order to receive payment for their services.

Medical Needs Form

A medical needs form must be signed by the patient's doctor indicating the need for care. It verifies the need for care to the state.

Financial Assessment

The care seeker's financial eligibility for Michigan Medicaid will also be assessed. It will be reviewed by MDHHS to determine eligibility.

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Income or Assets Over The Medicaid Limits?​

There may still be a way to eligibility! Michigan put in place a few planning strategies to help residents whose income or assets are over the Medicaid limits to qualify for the MI Medicaid Waiver. Some are simple and others are very complex. Example of these strategies are: Irrevocable Prepaid Funeral Contracts, Spousal Asset Transfer, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), Medically Needy Program, etc. Note that Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFTs) are unfortunately not allowed in Michigan. Here is where you can review these planning strategies that help MI residents qualify for the Home Help program.

Why Choose Guardian Home Care of MI To Handle Your Home Help Benefits?

At Guardian Home Care of MI, we are committed to providing exceptional support for individuals applying for or qualified under the Michigan Medicaid Waiver program. To best serve our Home Help Program clients and their family caregivers, we’ve proudly brought on our team a seasoned expert with years of experience as a Case Manager for the Family Caregiver Program.

To best support our Family Caregiver Program clients and family caregivers, our care team’s expertise also includes handling the following and more. If you need guidance or want to know how we can help in your specific situation, use the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Expertise & Administrative Relief

We can support you on a few fronts, from coordinating with your case manager, to handling onboarding, payroll, and benefits (including the less obvious ones).

Caregiver Backups

When the family caregiver is unable to work or can’t cover all the hours, our caregivers, who are screened, bonded, and insured, can step in.

Mitigating Possible Conflicts

Conflicts can happen between care receivers and their family caregivers. We’ve handled it before, and are ready to intervene with solutions when needed.

Reaching Out To Professionals

We tap into our Family Caregiver Program expertise, our contacts, and resources to best meet the needs and wants of all parties.

What Do Caregivers Under The Michigan Home Help Program Actually Do?

Caregivers who provide supportive services to careseekers are able to give non-medical care. They typically help with daily activities and a range of services when giving care to individuals, such as the following:
01

Medication management (medication reminders, etc.)

02

Companion services

03

Meal preparation

04

Grocery shopping

05

Home exercise

06

Helping with brushing hair, teeth, and other hygienic activities

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Helping to transfer from the bed to a wheelchair, or from a wheelchair to a toilet, etc.

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Helping them to walk

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Light housekeeping or chore services

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Bathing, toileting (incontinence care), etc.

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Assistance with activities that are part of daily life

Steps To Receiving Home Care with a Family Caregiver

In-Home Assessment

Done by our nurse to evaluate home safety and create an individualized care plan. 

Quick Paperwork

We guide you through quick paperwork (can be done during the in-home assessment).

Onboarding

We onboard the person receiving care and their family caregiver, if they have one.

Client Stories

“Anne is hands down the most wonderful aide I’ve ever had. She takes care of everything I need–laundry, cleaning, and more. She’s always there for me, even in the middle of the night. I really appreciate all her hard work, and I just love when she comes by. Anne is the sweetest, and I want everyone to know how much she means to me”.
Mr. Gary – Client with Guardian Home Care of NH
“Thank you for sending Stevie! Oh I just loved her to pieces, I just wanted to let you know that she did a wonderful job and I could probably just keep her forever.”
CFI Case Manager - Speaking about Donna, Scheduling Coordinator at Guardian Home Care of NH (CFI is NH’s Family Caregiver Program)

We strive to be the trusted partner families turn to for reliable and compassionate care in the comfort of their own homes. We also support Family Caregivers to get paid for the care they already provide.