How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Michigan
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
Michigan families typically start with MI Options for statewide long-term-care navigation, then screen Home Help right away if Medicaid eligible, since it's Michigan's clearest route for paying a relative, friend, or neighbor caregiver. For nursing-facility-level needs, MI Choice and the MI Coordinated Health (MICH) waiver are the next stop for dual Medicare-Medicaid residents in participating counties, and adults 55+ near a PACE site should compare PACE against MI Choice/MICH before choosing a model. Those with intellectual/developmental disabilities or serious emotional disturbance should contact their local Community Mental Health Services Program for waiver and self-directed-service options, and every plan can be layered with Area Agency on Aging caregiver respite, Medicare savings, SNAP, energy/tax credits, MiABLE, earned sick time, and Veteran benefits.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Michigan Medicaid / MI Choice
MI Choice Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid HCBS for older adults and adults with disabilities who meet nursing-facility level-of-care and financial criteria, allowing long-term supports in a home or community setting.
Who qualifies: Adults 65+ or adults with disabilities; nursing-facility level of care; Medicaid financial eligibility and other waiver criteria apply.
How to start: Contact the local MI Choice waiver agency or MI Options for screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through approved self-determination arrangements; verify the specific worker relationship with the waiver agency
MI Choice Community Living Supports
YesHelps pay for: Hands-on and skill-building supports that can help with personal care, household routines and community living based on the person-centered plan.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment and plan authorization based on assessed need.
How to start: Ask the supports coordinator to assess Community Living Supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially under self-determination; relationship and employer-of-record rules must be confirmed
MI Choice Respite Services
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Short-term relief for unpaid caregivers through authorized in-home or other respite services.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment and plan authorization; service must meet waiver criteria.
How to start: Request respite during the person-centered planning process.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not usually a stipend to the primary unpaid caregiver; another qualified worker/provider may be paid
MI Choice Adult Day Health
Indirect / day careHelps pay for: Daytime health, supervision and supportive services can reduce the number of home-care hours needed during the day.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment and assessed need; local provider availability applies.
How to start: Ask the waiver agency about adult day health in the care plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Chore Services
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Authorized heavy household tasks or chores needed to maintain a safe home can offset private-pay help.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment, assessed need and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Discuss home-safety and chore needs with the supports coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Home-Delivered Meals
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Authorized delivered meals can reduce food-preparation demands on caregivers.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment and assessed nutrition/support need.
How to start: Ask whether home-delivered meals fit the person-centered plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Approved home modifications can improve safety and reduce dependence on hands-on assistance.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment, documented need, waiver limits and prior authorization apply.
How to start: Ask the supports coordinator before purchasing or starting work.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Emergency-response technology can reduce safety risk and some supervision burden.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment and authorization based on assessed need.
How to start: Ask the waiver agency to evaluate PERS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
Indirect / equipmentHelps pay for: Approved equipment and supplies not otherwise covered can support safer care at home.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment, medical/functional need and authorization.
How to start: Discuss equipment needs with the supports coordinator before purchase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Community Transportation
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Authorized non-medical community transportation can reduce family transportation costs and caregiver time.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment and plan authorization; transportation must fit waiver rules.
How to start: Ask the waiver agency about community transportation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Private Duty Nursing / Respiratory Care
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: For qualifying participants with intensive medical needs, authorized nursing or respiratory care can replace high-cost private clinical care.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment, clinical criteria, physician/plan requirements and authorization.
How to start: Ask the care team whether skilled nursing/respiratory services are appropriate.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MI Choice Fiscal Intermediary / Self-Determination
Yes when tied to authorized servicesHelps pay for: A fiscal intermediary can support an approved self-determination arrangement so the participant has more control over workers and an individual budget.
Who qualifies: Must be approved within MI Choice person-centered planning and follow self-determination and fiscal-intermediary requirements.
How to start: Tell the supports coordinator you want to explore self-determination.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially; confirm relationship restrictions and employment rules before hiring
MI Choice Goods and Services
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Approved individualized goods/services may be used when they address an assessed need and support community living within waiver rules.
Who qualifies: MI Choice enrollment; must be included in the plan and meet waiver requirements.
How to start: Ask the supports coordinator whether an individualized item/service can be authorized.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
Michigan Medicaid / Home Help
Home Help Program
YesHelps pay for: Michigan Medicaid personal-care program for people who need hands-on help with daily activities and can remain in their own home. The beneficiary hires the caregiver.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, functional need for at least one covered ADL task, MDHHS assessment and authorization.
How to start: Apply through the local MDHHS office / MI Bridges and request an Adult Services Home Help assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - relatives, friends and neighbors may be paid; spouse and parent of a minor child cannot be paid
Home Help ADL Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Authorized hands-on help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, mobility and related daily-living tasks.
Who qualifies: Home Help enrollment and task-specific assessment/authorization.
How to start: Review each ADL need with the Adult Services Worker.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, subject to Home Help provider rules
Home Help IADL Assistance
YesHelps pay for: If a qualifying ADL need exists, Home Help may also authorize medication setup, laundry, light housework, meal preparation, shopping and related travel for shopping/laundry.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify based on a covered ADL; IADLs are then assessed and authorized.
How to start: Document the IADL tasks and time required during the assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, subject to Home Help provider rules
Home Help Individual Caregiver / Paid Relative
YesHelps pay for: The beneficiary may directly employ an approved individual caregiver who bills Michigan Medicaid for authorized Home Help tasks.
Who qualifies: Caregiver must be 18+, enroll in CHAMPS, pass required screening and complete program requirements; county rate applies.
How to start: Choose the caregiver, complete CHAMPS enrollment, then meet with the Adult Services Worker.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - explicit paid-relative pathway, except spouse or parent caring for a minor child
Home Help Agency Provider
YesHelps pay for: A beneficiary may choose an approved Home Help agency instead of directly employing an individual caregiver.
Who qualifies: Home Help authorization plus use of an MDHHS-approved Home Help agency.
How to start: Tell the Adult Services Worker if you prefer an agency provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through agency employment; agency and relationship rules apply
Michigan Medicaid
Medicaid Home Health Services
Yes - skilled/intermittentHelps pay for: Intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and home-health services may be covered when medical criteria are met.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, medical necessity, home-health coverage criteria and provider authorization.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and Medicaid plan/MDHHS about home-health coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Medicaid / Dual Eligible
MI Coordinated Health (MICH)
YesHelps pay for: Integrated Medicare-Medicaid plan launched January 1, 2026 in selected Michigan counties, covering Medicare and most Medicaid benefits including LTSS for eligible dual enrollees.
Who qualifies: Age 21+, enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, live in a 2026 MICH service area, and meet other exclusions/plan rules.
How to start: Check county eligibility and plan options through Michigan ENROLLS / MICH.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on the covered service and approved self-determination/provider arrangement
Michigan Medicaid / MICH
MICH HCBS Waiver
YesHelps pay for: For eligible MICH members who meet nursing-home level of care, HCBS can support living at home or in another community setting.
Who qualifies: MICH enrollment plus nursing-home level of care and waiver eligibility.
How to start: Ask the MICH care coordinator for an HCBS assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially under approved self-determination; verify worker relationship and plan rules
MICH Expanded Community Living Supports (ECLS)
YesHelps pay for: Expanded supports can help qualifying MICH HCBS members with community living and personal-care needs.
Who qualifies: MICH HCBS eligibility, assessed need and individual care-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the MICH care coordinator about ECLS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through self-determination; verify current plan requirements
MICH Respite Services
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Authorized respite can give unpaid caregivers a break while maintaining the member safely in the community.
Who qualifies: MICH HCBS eligibility and care-plan authorization.
How to start: Request respite through the MICH care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not usually a wage to the primary caregiver; qualified workers/providers may be paid
MICH Home-Delivered Meals
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Home-delivered meals may be authorized for qualifying HCBS members and can reduce caregiver meal-preparation burden.
Who qualifies: MICH HCBS eligibility and service authorization.
How to start: Ask the MICH care coordinator about meal services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MICH Assistive Technology / Environmental Modifications
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Assistive technology and approved environmental modifications can improve independence and reduce hands-on care needs.
Who qualifies: MICH HCBS eligibility, assessed need, plan limits and prior authorization.
How to start: Discuss AT/home modification needs with the MICH care coordinator before purchase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
MICH Transportation / PERS
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Non-medical transportation and personal emergency response systems may be authorized for qualifying HCBS members.
Who qualifies: MICH HCBS eligibility and individual care-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator about transportation and PERS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Medicaid / Transition
Community Transition Services (CTS)
Indirect transition supportHelps pay for: One-time Medicaid HCBS that can pay deposits, household setup, utility initiation and other approved transition expenses for nursing-facility residents moving to the community.
Who qualifies: Eligible Medicaid beneficiary residing in a nursing facility and transitioning to community living; one-time covered expenses only.
How to start: Ask the facility, MICH plan or a CTS agency for a referral/assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Medicaid / PACE
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
YesHelps pay for: Comprehensive Medicare/Medicaid model combining medical, LTSS, adult day and in-home services through an interdisciplinary team.
Who qualifies: Age 55+, live in a PACE service area, meet Michigan Medicaid long-term-care criteria and be able to live safely in the community at enrollment.
How to start: Contact a local PACE organization or MI Options for screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage; care is arranged through the PACE organization
PACE In-Home Services
YesHelps pay for: PACE can arrange in-home services when the interdisciplinary team determines they are necessary to keep the participant safely in the community.
Who qualifies: PACE enrollment and interdisciplinary care-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the PACE team to assess in-home support needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
PACE Adult Day / Medical Services
Indirect / day careHelps pay for: PACE centers provide coordinated medical, therapy, social and adult-day services that can reduce separate caregiving and transportation costs.
Who qualifies: PACE enrollment and team-based care plan.
How to start: Contact the nearest PACE organization; Michigan lists multiple current centers.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Medicaid / I/DD
Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW)
YesHelps pay for: 1915(c) waiver for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who meet an institutional level of care and need enhanced community supports.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, I/DD criteria, institutional level of care and PIHP/CMH authorization.
How to start: Contact the local Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through self-directed services; exact worker/relationship rules must be confirmed
HSW Self-Directed Services
YesHelps pay for: Self-directed Medicaid services give the beneficiary more authority over how authorized supports are arranged and managed.
Who qualifies: Must be offered/explored during person-centered planning and comply with current Medicaid self-directed-service requirements.
How to start: Ask the CMHSP/PIHP planning team to discuss self-direction.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially; family-worker rules depend on service and current self-direction requirements
HSW Community Living Supports
YesHelps pay for: Authorized community living supports can provide assistance and skill-building to support independence at home and in the community.
Who qualifies: HSW eligibility, assessed need and individual plan of service authorization.
How to start: Request CLS during person-centered planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially under an approved self-directed arrangement
HSW Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Authorized respite can support unpaid family caregivers of HSW participants.
Who qualifies: HSW eligibility and individual plan of service authorization.
How to start: Ask the CMHSP/PIHP about respite hours and provider options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially another qualified worker may be paid; confirm relationship rules
Michigan Medicaid / Children
Children’s Waiver Program (CWP)
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid HCBS for eligible children under 18 with developmental disabilities who need intensive in-home services and supports.
Who qualifies: Child under 18 with qualifying developmental disability and substantial functional limitations; must meet waiver criteria and living-arrangement requirements.
How to start: Contact the local CMHSP for evaluation and waiver navigation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially for approved services under program/self-direction rules; verify the specific relationship
CWP In-Home Supports / Respite
YesHelps pay for: Waiver services can supplement family care with authorized in-home supports and respite to help a qualifying child remain at home.
Who qualifies: CWP enrollment and individual plan authorization.
How to start: Build respite and in-home support needs into the child’s person-centered plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially subject to service-specific and family-worker rules
Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver (SEDW)
Yes - supportive HCBSHelps pay for: Statewide Medicaid HCBS waiver for children with serious emotional disturbance who meet hospital-level/risk and functional criteria.
Who qualifies: Initial approval before age 18; Medicaid eligibility; serious functional limitations; risk/criteria related to state psychiatric hospitalization; other waiver rules apply.
How to start: Apply through the local CMHSP / Wraparound or case-management team.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a general parent stipend; service-specific rules apply
SEDW Respite / Home-Based Supports
Yes - supportive HCBSHelps pay for: The SEDW individual plan can authorize community supports, including respite-related and family-supporting services, to reduce risk of hospitalization.
Who qualifies: SEDW enrollment and Wraparound/person-centered plan authorization.
How to start: Discuss respite and home support needs with the Wraparound/TCM team.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No general family stipend; verify service/provider rules
Michigan Medicaid / Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Self-Directed Services
Yes when tied to covered servicesHelps pay for: Michigan requires self-directed service options to be discussed within person-centered planning for applicable Medicaid behavioral-health services.
Who qualifies: Eligibility for covered behavioral-health/I-DD services plus an approved self-directed arrangement.
How to start: Ask the person-centered planning team for the current self-direction option and fiscal supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially; confirm service, worker and employer-of-record rules with the CMHSP/PIHP
Community Living Supports through CMH
YesHelps pay for: Community Living Supports may provide assistance, prompting/teaching and support for eligible behavioral-health/I-DD beneficiaries living in the community.
Who qualifies: Medical necessity, covered behavioral-health eligibility and individual plan authorization.
How to start: Request a CMH assessment and person-centered planning meeting.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially under self-direction; verify relationship restrictions
Respite through CMH / PIHP
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Respite may be authorized to relieve unpaid caregivers when covered under the beneficiary’s behavioral-health service plan.
Who qualifies: Covered program eligibility and plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the CMH/PIHP care team about respite eligibility and provider options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially another approved worker/provider may be paid; confirm rules
Michigan Medicaid / Work Incentive
Freedom to Work Medicaid
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Medicaid buy-in for working adults with disabilities, helping preserve health coverage while earning income and potentially supporting access to other Medicaid-covered services.
Who qualifies: Age 16-64, disability under SSA standards, regular employment, income not above 250% FPL and other financial/non-financial rules; a premium may apply.
How to start: Apply through MDHHS / MI Bridges and ask for Freedom to Work eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare / Medicaid Cost Offset
Medicare Savings Programs
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Michigan Medicaid may help qualifying Medicare beneficiaries with premiums and, depending on program, deductibles/coinsurance.
Who qualifies: Medicare enrollment plus Michigan income/resource rules; asset test applies.
How to start: Apply through MDHHS and ask MI Options/SHIP to screen QMB, SLMB and QI.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Medicaid / Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Medicaid transportation can cover or reimburse eligible travel to covered medical services, reducing a family’s transportation burden.
Who qualifies: Michigan Medicaid coverage, medically necessary/covered trip and required authorization/process. 2026 rate schedules apply.
How to start: Contact the Medicaid health plan or local MDHHS/NEMT program before the trip.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: A family/friend driver may be reimbursed in some arrangements, subject to authorization and program rules
Michigan Aging Network
MI Options Long-Term Care Counseling
Navigation / cost avoidanceHelps pay for: Free statewide options counseling helps adults and caregivers identify home-care, Medicaid, Medicare, caregiver, housing and community supports.
Who qualifies: Available to adults, family members and caregivers; no income/asset requirement for counseling.
How to start: Call MI Options and request long-term services and supports counseling.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
AAA In-Home Personal Care / Homemaker
Yes / partial supportHelps pay for: Local Area Agencies on Aging may arrange or fund personal care, homemaker or care-management services for eligible older adults, subject to local funding and priority rules.
Who qualifies: Age/service-area, functional need, local program criteria and available funding vary.
How to start: Contact the local Area Agency on Aging through MI Options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage through aging-network services
AAA Chore / Home Repair / Home Injury Control
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Aging-network programs may help with chores, minor home repair or safety improvements, reducing the need to privately purchase household support.
Who qualifies: Local AAA criteria, funding and provider availability vary.
How to start: Ask the local AAA about chore, home repair and injury-control programs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
AAA Adult Day Care
Indirect / day careHelps pay for: Local aging programs may connect or subsidize adult day services that provide supervision and respite during the day.
Who qualifies: Local program criteria, need, funding and provider availability vary.
How to start: Ask the local AAA about adult day programs and financial assistance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home-Delivered Meals / Meals on Wheels
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Home-delivered meals can reduce grocery and meal-preparation costs and caregiver time for eligible older adults.
Who qualifies: Local aging-program eligibility, nutrition risk/need and funding rules vary.
How to start: Contact the local AAA or aging-services provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Senior / Disability Transportation
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Local aging and disability programs may provide non-medical or medical transportation that reduces caregiver driving and private transportation costs.
Who qualifies: Local eligibility, service area, trip purpose and capacity vary.
How to start: Ask MI Options/local AAA about transportation programs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Aging Network / Caregiver
Family Caregiver Support / Respite
Yes - respite/supportHelps pay for: Michigan aging services may provide caregiver education, counseling, support groups, training, adult day and respite services.
Who qualifies: Caregiver/recipient eligibility and funding follow local AAA and federal caregiver-program rules.
How to start: Contact the local AAA and request caregiver-support screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No general caregiver wage
Medicare Counseling
Michigan SHIP / Medicare Counseling
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Free, unbiased counseling can identify Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, plan changes and other ways to reduce health costs that compete with the home-care budget.
Who qualifies: Available to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers seeking Medicare guidance.
How to start: Call Michigan SHIP through MI Options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health Benefit
Yes - limited/skilledHelps pay for: Medicare can cover intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and certain home health aide services when all coverage conditions are met; it does not pay for ongoing custodial care by itself.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary must meet home-health eligibility requirements and have a qualifying plan of care/provider.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and Medicare-certified home health agency to assess coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Hospice Benefit
Yes - hospice-relatedHelps pay for: For terminally ill beneficiaries who elect hospice, Medicare can cover hospice services including intermittent home care and respite, reducing end-of-life care costs.
Who qualifies: Medicare hospice eligibility, certification and election requirements apply.
How to start: Ask the physician or a Medicare-certified hospice for an evaluation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
Medicare / Prescription Costs
Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Extra Help can reduce Medicare Part D premiums, deductibles and prescription costs, preserving household funds for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary must meet federal income/resource rules or qualify automatically through certain assistance programs.
How to start: Apply through Social Security or ask Michigan SHIP to screen eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Federal Income Support
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Cash resourceHelps pay for: Monthly federal cash benefit for eligible people who are aged, blind or disabled with limited income/resources; funds can help with ordinary living and care-related expenses.
Who qualifies: Federal SSI age/disability, income, resource, citizenship/residency and other rules apply.
How to start: Apply through Social Security.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Cash resourceHelps pay for: Monthly disability benefit for insured workers with qualifying disabilities; household cash flow can help pay for care and related expenses.
Who qualifies: Must meet Social Security disability and insured-work requirements.
How to start: Apply through Social Security.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Food Cost Offset
Michigan Food Assistance Program (SNAP)
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Monthly food benefits can reduce grocery spending and free household funds for caregiving and other essential needs.
Who qualifies: Michigan SNAP income, household and federal eligibility rules apply; federal work-rule changes began in 2026 for some recipients.
How to start: Apply through MI Bridges.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Emergency / Utility Assistance
State Emergency Relief (SER)
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Year-round emergency assistance may help eligible Michigan households with heating/electric bills and other urgent needs that threaten health and safety.
Who qualifies: Low-income household facing an eligible emergency; program-specific income, asset and crisis rules apply.
How to start: Apply through MI Bridges before seeking certain energy-assistance services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Energy-assistance providers can help eligible households with bills and energy self-sufficiency services after the required SER application process.
Who qualifies: Generally requires an SER application and meeting energy-assistance eligibility/provider requirements.
How to start: Call 2-1-1 or use the Michigan Energy Assistance resource to find a local provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Tax / Utility Relief
Michigan Home Heating Credit
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: State tax credit helps qualifying low-income Michigan homeowners and renters with heating costs; the 2026 filing deadline for the 2025 credit is September 30, 2026.
Who qualifies: Michigan homestead occupancy plus household-resource and other tax-credit rules.
How to start: File MI-1040CR-7 and verify current Treasury instructions.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Tax / Housing Relief
Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Refundable state credit can help qualifying Michigan homeowners and renters offset property taxes/rent, preserving funds for care.
Who qualifies: Michigan residency/homestead plus annual household-resource, taxable-value and other credit rules.
How to start: Review the current Michigan Treasury Homestead Property Tax Credit instructions.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Disability Savings
MiABLE Disability Savings Account
Yes - personal support expenses may qualifyHelps pay for: Tax-advantaged ABLE account lets eligible people with disabilities save and spend for qualified disability expenses including personal support services, housing, transportation and assistive technology without jeopardizing key benefits.
Who qualifies: Disability onset before age 46 in 2026 plus federal ABLE eligibility rules. Annual contribution limits apply.
How to start: Open or review an account through MiABLE and keep records of qualified expenses.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage unless payment itself is a qualified expense and otherwise lawful
Employment / Caregiver Wage Protection
Michigan Earned Sick Time Act
Indirect wage protectionHelps pay for: Eligible employees may use accrued earned sick time for their own or a family member’s health needs, helping replace wages during shorter caregiving absences.
Who qualifies: Coverage, accrual, employer size, permissible use and notice/documentation rules apply under current Michigan law.
How to start: Check employer policy and Michigan LEO guidance before taking leave.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Employee receives own wages, not a home-care payment
Michigan Veterans
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grants
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Emergency grants can help eligible Michigan veterans and dependent family members with short-term crises such as utilities, home/vehicle repairs, medical bills, mortgage or other essential expenses, preserving resources for care.
Who qualifies: Michigan residency plus veteran-service/discharge and hardship criteria; 65+ peacetime pathway also exists under current program rules.
How to start: Contact the county MVTF committee or Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may authorize community-based aides to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks at home.
Who qualifies: VA health care eligibility, clinical need, authorization and local availability; copays may apply. Ask the Veteran’s VA primary care/social work team for assessment and authorization.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran-Directed Care
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; the Veteran can choose workers and services within program rules.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local Veteran-Directed Care availability. Ask the VA care team whether VDC is available in the Veteran’s Michigan service area.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Veteran-Directed Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family/friends may often be hired subject to program and local rules
VA Skilled Home Health
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: VA may purchase skilled nursing, therapy and related home-health services from authorized community providers.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA eligibility/authorization and provider availability. Request through the VA care team.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Skilled Home Health.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Respite Care
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: VA may provide in-home, adult-day or facility respite to give caregivers a break.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical need and local availability/authorization. Ask VA social work or caregiver support about respite.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Respite Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
VA Home-Based Primary Care
Yes - clinical home careHelps pay for: Interdisciplinary VA primary care delivered in the home for Veterans with complex chronic conditions who have difficulty traveling to clinic.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical eligibility and local program availability. Ask VA primary care/geriatrics whether HBPC is appropriate.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Home-Based Primary Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Adult Day Health Care
Indirect / day careHelps pay for: Therapeutic health and social services in a day setting can reduce the number of hours a caregiver must provide at home.
Who qualifies: VA eligibility, clinical need and local program/community-care availability. Ask the VA social worker or geriatrics team about adult day health care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Adult Day Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Addition
Cash benefit can help pay for careHelps pay for: Additional monthly pension amount for qualifying wartime Veterans or survivors who need help with daily activities, are housebound or meet other criteria.
Who qualifies: Must first meet VA pension/survivors pension eligibility plus Aid & Attendance or Housebound criteria. Apply through VA; consider help from an accredited VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Aid & Attendance Pension Addition.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Family may be paid privately from household funds; VA does not directly employ the family caregiver through this benefit
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Indirect / caregiver stipendHelps pay for: For eligible Veterans with serious service-connected needs, PCAFC may provide caregiver education, support and a monthly stipend to the designated primary family caregiver.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet current PCAFC service-connected, personal-care and enrollment criteria. Contact the local VA Caregiver Support Program team.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - qualifying primary family caregiver can receive a VA stipend
Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
Indirect supportHelps pay for: Training, coaching, peer support and other services for caregivers of enrolled Veterans; no stipend required to participate.
Who qualifies: Caregiver supports an eligible Veteran enrolled in VA health care; specific services vary. Contact a Michigan VA Caregiver Support Program team.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No stipend
VA Hospice & Palliative Care
Yes - end-of-life careHelps pay for: VA can provide or arrange hospice/palliative services at home or through community providers for eligible Veterans.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical need and hospice/palliative eligibility. Ask the VA care team or social worker for palliative/hospice referral.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Hospice & Palliative Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
VA Community Care Network Home Health
Yes when authorizedHelps pay for: When VA authorizes community care, in-network providers may furnish covered home health and related services. Michigan is in CCN Region 2, administered by Optum Serve.
Who qualifies: VA community-care eligibility, referral/authorization and in-network provider rules. Work through the VA care team before scheduling community care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Community Care Network Home Health.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund / MVAA
Indirect cost offsetHelps pay for: Michigan’s state Veterans Trust Fund can provide emergency grants for eligible veterans/families facing temporary financial crises, helping protect money otherwise needed for care.
Who qualifies: Michigan residency, qualifying service/discharge and financial-emergency rules; additional 65+ peacetime eligibility exists. Call MVAA or the county veterans service office/MVTF committee.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Michigan Veterans Trust Fund / MVAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Where Michigan Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Statewide no-wrong-door LTSS, aging, caregiver and Medicare counseling; referral to local AAA/MI Choice resources
MI Options
Apply for Medicaid, Home Help, SNAP, SER and other assistance programs
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services / MI Bridges
Home Help caregiver/provider enrollment, CHAMPS and program support
Home Help Provider Support
MI Choice nursing-facility-level-of-care screening and waiver application
Local MI Choice Waiver Agency
MICH plan enrollment, plan changes and dual-eligible managed-care navigation
Michigan ENROLLS / MI Coordinated Health
PACE eligibility screening for adults 55+ in a PACE service area
Local PACE Organization
HSW, Children’s Waiver, SEDW, community living supports, respite and self-directed behavioral-health services
Local Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP)
One-time transition assistance for eligible nursing-facility residents returning to the community
Community Transition Services
Free Medicare counseling, Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help screening
Michigan SHIP
Local energy, utility, food, housing and emergency-assistance referrals
Michigan 2-1-1 / Energy Assistance
Disability savings account eligibility, enrollment and qualified-expense questions
MiABLE
State veteran emergency assistance plus VA caregiver navigation
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency / VA Caregiver Support
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
Home Help is Michigan’s clearest paid-relative pathway
Home Help beneficiaries directly hire their caregivers. MDHHS explicitly allows a relative, friend or neighbor who meets provider requirements, but a spouse or a parent caring for a minor child cannot be paid through Home Help. Screen this first when the main goal is paying an existing family caregiver.
Home Help does not cover every kind of supervision or household help
Home Help covers hands-on ADLs and, after qualifying through an ADL, certain IADLs. MDHHS specifically excludes services such as general supervision, prompting/reminding, heavy housework, home repairs, transportation and yard work, so build other supports around gaps.
MI Choice has a higher functional threshold than Home Help
MI Choice is for people who meet nursing-facility level-of-care and waiver financial criteria. Home Help can be available to Medicaid beneficiaries who need hands-on help with covered daily activities without necessarily needing nursing-facility level of care.
Do not assume proposed MI Choice Structured Family Caregiving is already effective
Michigan’s MI Choice page includes 2025 Structured Family Caregiving stakeholder materials, but the state’s 2026 waiver-status page still lists the MI Choice amendments as submitted. Verify CMS approval and final effective rules before relying on a structured-family-caregiving payment model.
MI Coordinated Health replaced MI Health Link on January 1, 2026
MI Health Link ended December 31, 2025. MICH launched January 1, 2026 for eligible Medicare-Medicaid dual enrollees in selected counties; statewide expansion is planned for 2027, so county eligibility matters in 2026.
MICH HCBS requires an additional level-of-care screen
Being enrolled in MICH does not automatically mean someone receives waiver HCBS. The member must meet nursing-home level of care and other HCBS requirements, then services must be authorized in the care plan.
PACE cannot be combined with MI Choice
PACE requires age 55+, residence in a PACE service area, Michigan Medicaid long-term-care criteria and ability to live safely in the community at enrollment. Michigan states a participant cannot be concurrently enrolled in the MI Choice waiver or an HMO.
Community Transition Services are one-time setup supports
CTS is designed for eligible nursing-facility residents moving back to the community and covers non-recurring transition expenses such as deposits, household goods and utility setup. A July 15, 2026 state reminder confirms eligible MICH enrollees can use CTS without disenrolling from MICH.
Behavioral-health and I/DD self-direction runs through CMH/PIHP planning
HSW and other specialty behavioral-health services are accessed through local CMHSP/PIHP systems. Michigan’s self-directed-service framework should be discussed in person-centered planning, but exact family-worker and employer-of-record rules must be verified for the specific service.
SEDW has a proposed October 1, 2026 amendment
Michigan’s SEDW page describes an anticipated October 1, 2026 amendment, while the waiver-status page lists the 2026 amendment as submitted. As of August 14, do not assume proposed service changes are effective until CMS approval/implementation is confirmed.
MiABLE expanded eligibility in 2026
For 2026, MiABLE eligibility uses disability onset before age 46. Michigan’s current FAQ also lists a $20,000 basic annual contribution limit plus a possible additional $15,650 for qualifying working account owners; qualified expenses include personal support services.
The 2026 Home Heating Credit has a firm filing deadline
Michigan Treasury states the deadline to submit the 2025 Home Heating Credit claim is September 30, 2026. This is time-sensitive and can help preserve household cash for care costs.
Program rules, income limits, and availability change over time and can vary by county. Confirm current details with the program directly, or ask a home care provider in Michigan to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Michigan
These providers serve families in Michigan and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
A Better Solution In Home Care – Detroit, MI
Serving Michigan
A Better Solution In Home Care – Detroit, MI provides home care services in the Detroit area.
Communities Served
Detroit
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Asona Home Health, LLC
Serving Michigan
Asona Home Health, LLC provides home care services in Mt. Pleasant, MI and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Mt. Pleasant, Stanwood, Midland and surrounding areas
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Fresh Perspective Home Care
Serving Michigan
Fresh Perspective Home Care provides home care services in Portage, MI and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Kalamazoo, Portage, Southwest Michigan and surrounding areas
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Gauthier Family Home Care
Serving Michigan
Gauthier Family Home Care provides home care services in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Grand Rapids, Kent County, West Michigan
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No Place Like Home Health
Serving Michigan
No Place Like Home Health provides home care services in Livonia, MI and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Wayne County, Washtenaw County, Livingston County and surrounding areas
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Trinity Home Assistance
Serving Michigan
Personalized Home Care, Built Around You. Get help with daily activities so you can live safely and independently at home. Trinity Home Assistance supports individuals with dependable personal care, homemaking help, and flexible caregiver options. Serving those in need of in-home support and families throughout Metro Detroit, Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland Counties.
Services Available
Michigan Medicaid Home Help • Senior Home Care • Personal Care Services • In-Home Dementia Care • In-Home Companion Care • Paid Family Caregiver Program • Homemaker Services
Communities Served
Detroit
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