Michigan's Home Help Program is a Medicaid-funded service that allows family members to be paid for caregiving they are already providing to an elderly or disabled loved one. If your family member is enrolled in Michigan Medicaid and needs help with daily activities like bathing, meals, or housekeeping, you may qualify to receive payment as their caregiver — at no cost to you or your loved one. Tohme HomeCare Group helps families in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne County navigate the enrollment process from start to finish.
What Is the Michigan Home Help Program?
The Home Help Program is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and provides personal care services to individuals who need hands-on assistance with daily living. Unlike traditional home care agencies that send a stranger to your door, the Home Help Program recognizes that family members, friends, and neighbors often provide the best care — and makes it possible for them to be compensated through Medicaid.
The program is an entitlement, meaning that if you meet the eligibility requirements, you cannot be denied or placed on a waiting list. It covers non-medical care such as bathing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation. All services are fully funded by Michigan Medicaid — there is no cost to the person receiving care or to the caregiver.
Many Michigan families don't realize this program exists. Adult children, siblings, and other family members who are already caring for a loved one are often eligible to receive payment for the care they're already providing. Tohme HomeCare Group specializes in helping families in the Metro Detroit area understand whether they qualify and guiding them through the application process.
Who Is Eligible?
The Person Receiving Care (the Beneficiary) Must:
Medicaid Financial Eligibility
To qualify for Michigan Medicaid, there are income and asset limits that must be met. These numbers are updated annually:
If your loved one's income exceeds these limits, Michigan offers a Spend-Down Program that allows applicants to apply medical expenses toward the excess income — similar to a monthly deductible. Once the spend-down amount is met, Medicaid covers care for the remainder of the month. If you're unsure whether your family member qualifies, contact us for a free eligibility check — we'll review their situation and help determine the best path forward.
Who Can Be a Paid Caregiver?
No medical training or certification is required to become a caregiver. The Home Help Program covers non-medical care only — you do not need to be a nurse, CNA, or have any healthcare credentials. If you are already helping a family member with daily tasks, you likely already qualify.
What Services Are Covered?
The Home Help Program covers assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The specific services approved for each case are determined by an MDHHS caseworker based on the beneficiary's assessed needs.
The number of care hours approved per month varies by individual case. Most participants qualify for a range of hours based on their assessed needs, and MDHHS determines the approved amount after a home assessment. Additional hours may be available for individuals with higher care needs.
How Much Do Caregivers Get Paid?
Caregivers are paid through Michigan Medicaid — the person receiving care never pays anything out of pocket. Once enrolled and approved, caregivers log their hours through the state's service verification system and receive payment via direct deposit. There is no cost to sign up, no agency fees, and no hidden charges.
How Does the Enrollment Process Work?
The application process involves working with MDHHS, completing required forms, and registering in the state's CHAMPS Provider Enrollment system. Tohme HomeCare Group handles this entire process for you. Here's what to expect:
The entire process typically takes several weeks from initial application to first payment, depending on MDHHS processing times and assessment scheduling. We stay in contact with you throughout and coordinate with MDHHS to keep things moving.
Why Work With Tohme HomeCare Group?
Navigating the Michigan Medicaid system can be confusing and time-consuming. Families often spend weeks trying to understand the paperwork, reach the right people at MDHHS, and figure out what forms are needed. We eliminate that burden entirely.
We handle the paperwork. From the initial application to CHAMPS enrollment to caseworker coordination, we manage every step of the process so you don't have to.
We speak your language. We proudly serve Michigan's Arab American community with full bilingual support in English and Arabic. Care decisions are personal — you should be able to discuss them in the language you're most comfortable with.
We know Metro Detroit. We serve families specifically in Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County. Our local focus means we understand the communities we work with and can provide more personalized support than a statewide call center.
We're built on compliance. With a background in accounting and financial compliance, Tohme HomeCare Group takes the administrative side of care seriously — ensuring your enrollment is done correctly, your documentation is complete, and your payments are set up properly from day one.
Not Sure If You Qualify? Let's Find Out Together.
Our free eligibility check takes just a few minutes. No commitment, no pressure — just answers.
Get a Free Eligibility Check →Common Questions About the Michigan Home Help Program
Does my loved one need to already be on Medicaid?
Yes — your loved one does need to be enrolled in Michigan Medicaid to qualify for the Home Help Program. If they are not yet on Medicaid, we can help guide your family through the Medicaid application process as a first step. Once approved for Medicaid, we then move forward with the Home Help enrollment together.
Do I need medical training to be a caregiver?
No. The Home Help Program covers non-medical care only. You do not need to be a nurse, CNA, or have any healthcare credentials. If you are already helping a family member with daily tasks like bathing, cooking, or housekeeping, you are likely already providing the type of care the program covers.
Can I get paid to care for my spouse?
No — spouses are not eligible to be paid caregivers under Michigan MDHHS rules. However, adult children, siblings, grandchildren, and other non-spousal family members may qualify. If you are a spouse looking for support, contact us and we'll help explore other care options available to your family.
How many hours of care can be approved?
The number of approved hours varies by individual case and is determined by the MDHHS caseworker after a home assessment. Hours are based on the beneficiary's level of need — someone who requires assistance with multiple daily activities will generally be approved for more hours than someone who needs help with just one or two tasks.
Is there a cost to sign up?
No. There is no cost to apply for the program, no cost for our assistance with the enrollment process, and no cost to the person receiving care. The program is 100% funded by Michigan Medicaid.
How long does the process take?
The timeline varies, but MDHHS allows up to 45 days to make an eligibility determination after the application is submitted. The full process — from initial contact with us to first caregiver payment — typically takes several weeks depending on how quickly forms are completed, the doctor's medical needs form is returned, and the home assessment is scheduled.
What areas do you serve?
Tohme HomeCare Group serves families in Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County — the greater Metro Detroit area. This includes Troy, Sterling Heights, Warren, Dearborn, Detroit, Southfield, Rochester Hills, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, and surrounding communities.