Is CDPAP in Michigan? Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver in Michigan
- Sanskriti Kumar
- Oct 15
- 6 min read
State programs like the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in New York are initiatives that allow individuals to choose and hire their own caregivers. If you are in Michigan, the state program similar to CDPAP is called Home Help program.
The caregivers are paid by the state, which means no money comes out of the care recipient's pocket. Learn about the program benefits and step-by-step application process in the article.
Michigan Home Help Program
Family members make up most of the caregiving population because it is a safe and comfortable care receiving experience for their loved ones. However in long-term situations it can often lead to physical, emotional, and/or financial burnout.
In Michigan, initiatives like the Home Help program offer individuals with Medicaid who need care with a range of services and support. Family members or friends receive pay as caregivers. This option allows loved ones to stay at home in a safe, familiar place while keeping their independence and taking charge of their health and care.
How to Apply for the Home Help Program?
The Home Help program in Michigan plays a crucial role in the home care system. It supports individuals who wish to maintain their independence by living at home.
To apply for the Home Help program, the applicants must fill out required forms to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). A home health care agency like BURD Home Health can help with the submission and registration process.
Eligibility Requirement
To qualify for Michigan's Home Help program, individuals must meet specific criteria demonstrating their need for assistance with daily living activities. The program's eligibility is determined by the state of Michigan based on income limits, disability status, and other relevant factors.
Participants Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be legal residents of the state of Michigan
Open to individuals who are either elderly (age 65 and above) or have a disability
Applicants must need assistance with at least one activity of daily living
Have active Medicaid (in accordance with the financial and asset limits)
Caregiver Eligibility Requirements
Be at least 18 years old
Pass a criminal background check
Caregivers must get registered in the State of Michigan's CHAMPS system
Cannot be the spouse of the person receiving care
Parents or legal guardians of a patient under 18
Note: There could be more criteria based on your application and/or county. All eligibility is determined by the state.
Application Process for the Home Help Program
To start the process for the Home Help program, the person must be eligible for Michigan Medicaid. If you do not have Medicaid, you should contact your county’s Department of Health & Human Services office for the requirements and process.
Once you are a Medicaid recipient, these are the average steps, but it could differ based on requirements and documents.
1. Check Your Eligibility
Home Help Program has certain criteria for qualifying to get the benefits in Michigan that are mentioned above. However here are two-way you can make sure you are eligible:
Apply Online: Fill in this form to check if you are eligible for the Home Help program.
Connect with a Relationship Manager: You can call (833) 447 – 3326 and talk to a Relationship Manager who will work with you to collect the required documents and take you step-by-step through the Home Help program enrollment process.
2. Submit Necessary Documents
The application process for the Michigan Home Help program involves submitting the required forms to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Medical Needs Form: A Medical needs form is signed by the patient’s or potential care receiver’s primary care doctor mentioning the need for care. It also has information on what kind of care and how many hours of care they might need.
Identification and Medicaid Documents: Identifying documents and your Medicaid information could be needed in the application process.
3. Complete Program Requirements
After approval, the person you choose as your caregiver needs to complete some steps:
Pass a criminal background check
They do not need special certifications, but they must enroll in the MDHHS CHAMPS Provider Enrollment system to receive Medicaid payments.
Your Relationship Manager will help you and your caregiver through every step from collecting documents to verification.
4. Care & Get Paid
Once verified and enrolled, your family caregiver can now start or continue to care for you but now also get paid for the time. BURD Home Health provides you with a time tracking tool that helps you track your caregiver's hours, tasks and pay.
5. Stay Supported
Agencies like BURD Home Health will continue to help with any questions you or your caregiver might have, especially after you are enrolled in the program. We check in with you regularly and make sure you feel in control of your health care.
Benefits of the Home Help Program
The program provides comfort and support to the care recipient and caregiver. In the Michigan Home Help program, family members providing caregiving services are compensated. The services usually included daily living activities, housekeeping, and general personal care such as medication, bathing, and laundry.
Most importantly, it allows you to get tasks done without having to move out of your own home and safe space. This program gives you the independence to plan your day and get things done on your terms.
Some of the support and services that you get as a part of the program are:
Medication management
Laundry
Light Housework (cleaning)
Meal Preparation
Shopping for Household or Essentials
Driving for Shopping/Doctor Appointments
Mobility Assistance
For those who require additional specialized medical care, the Home Help program's provision of complex care services ensures that individuals with complex healthcare needs can receive the necessary support while continuing to reside in their homes.
How Much Do Caregivers Get Paid?
The person receiving care can hire and pay their caregivers through the program. To clarify, Medicaid pays the caregiver, and it is not out of the pocket of the care receiver.
The approved caregiver rate for family members who provide care for a loved one in Michigan is $15.88 per hour. The current Michigan Home Help caregiver pay at BURD Home Health is up to $20.00 per hour.
Other Ways to Provide Care to your Loved Ones
If you are not able to qualify for the Home Help program, there are various other programs by the State that you could look into to make sure your loved ones are taken care of.
How To Qualify If You Are Over Medicaid Limit
A common issue people face in the application process is not qualifying for Medicaid due to income/assets that is a little over the Medicaid’s limit. It is important to know that you can still qualify for Medicaid through the Spend-down Program.
The Spend-down Program in Michigan allows Medicaid applicants to spend the amount that is over the limit on medical expenses. This could be seen as a deductible after which Medicaid would pay for the rest of the care and health services.
Healthcare State Programs in Michigan
If you do not qualify for the Medicaid Home Help program, you can look for other state programs that can be beneficial for you or your loved ones. Here is a list of other programs that makes care and health accessible in Michigan:
Michigan Health Link: The program provides medical and behavioral health services, home, nursing and community-based services. Individuals with Medicaid or Medicare can be eligible for this program.
Michigan Children's Waiver Program: It is a Medicaid program that compensates family caregivers of children (under the age of 18) with development disabilities.
Michigan Choice Waiver: Through Medicaid, adults who meet eligibility criteria can receive services like those provided by nursing homes but can stay in their own home or another residential setting. There are different criteria for different regions that you can find on the government website.
Michigan Habilitation Supports Waiver Program: This is another Medicaid home and community-based treatment and support program to provide more independence to individuals with intellectual/development disabilities.
Veteran-Directed Care Program: Similar to the Home Help program, the Veteran-Directed Care Program allows eligible veterans to hire and supervise their own caregivers, decide and manage their budgets.
Home Health Care Programs in All States
If you are not a Michigan resident, don’t worry, you probably have an alternative program in the state you reside in. Almost all states in the US have at least one version of a home health care program funded by Medicaid.
Although the eligibility requirements, application process, and benefits would differ in every state. If you do not know what the program is called in your state, this map lets you filter out the self-directed care programs in your state: Home Health Care Program in 50 States
Patience and Support
The application process can often take time (almost 45 days) to complete the verification process by MDHHS, so if you are looking for care, it is best to start the application process as soon as possible.
By offering personalized support tailored to your requirements, the program strives to improve the overall quality of life. It aims to alleviate the strain on institutional care facilities, allowing you to remain connected to communities and support networks, which can positively impact your mental and emotional well-being.
