How to apply for Home Help, start to finish
Eight real steps, in order, with realistic timelines for each. No skipped steps, no vague "contact your caseworker" hand-waving.
Contact your local MDHHS office
The process starts with your county MDHHS Adult Services office — not an online application. This is where you'll request a Home Help assessment for your loved one and get pointed toward next steps specific to your county.
Confirm or apply for Medicaid
If your loved one isn't already on Medicaid, that application happens through MI Bridges and needs to be in motion before Home Help services can be approved. If they're already enrolled, this step is just a confirmation.
Complete the home assessment
An MDHHS Adult Services Worker visits the home in person and completes the Adult Services Comprehensive Assessment (MDHHS-5534) — documenting exactly which ADLs and IADLs your loved one needs help with. Be ready to speak honestly and specifically about daily struggles, not just diagnoses.
Receive approved hours
MDHHS determines covered tasks and approved hours from the individual assessment. Provider enrollment is a separate step; ask the worker and provider support about the status of each part rather than budgeting around an assumed maximum or approval date.
Choose a caregiver
Decide between a self-directed family caregiver or a licensed provider agency. If you're weighing this decision, our family vs. agency comparison lays out the trade-offs plainly.
Enroll in CHAMPS
The chosen caregiver registers as an individual provider through the state's CHAMPS system — MiLogin account, provider enrollment application, background check. This is typically the longest step, and incomplete applications are the most common cause of delay.
Set up EVV
Electronic Visit Verification through the HHAeXchange+ app (or a telephony line) has to be configured before caregiving hours can be paid. This is a required step, not an optional add-on.
Begin providing and logging care
Agency employee wages depend on the employer’s written offer. An agency reimbursement rate is not an employee wage. Compare reimbursement with caregiver wages.
Realistic total timeline: most families should expect several weeks to a few months from first contact to a first paycheck, not an instant turnaround. The assessment scheduling and CHAMPS enrollment are usually the two steps that take the longest.
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Get my free consultationCarePay Michigan is an independent information and referral resource. MDHHS determines Home Help eligibility and authorized care. Official program guidance · 2026 provider rates · EVV rules and exemptions.