There's no PTO or paid vacation benefit built into self-directed Home Help — you're only paid for hours you actually work and that get verified through EVV. That doesn't mean you're locked in with no way to take a real break, though.
What actually happens to your pay while you're away
Simply put: you don't bill for hours you don't work, so time off means no pay for those specific hours, similar to how most hourly work functions. There's no continuation-of-pay mechanism for planned absences.
Covering care while you're gone
The practical solution is enrolling a backup caregiver — another family member or a licensed agency partner — specifically to cover your loved one's needs while you're away, so care doesn't lapse even though you personally aren't billing hours during that stretch. See our post on how many caregivers one person can have.
Coordinating with your case manager
It's worth notifying your MDHHS case manager if a substitute caregiver will be providing hours during your time away, especially the first time someone else is stepping in — it keeps the paperwork straightforward.
If short breaks aren't enough
For families needing more regular relief than an occasional trip away, our post on respite coverage options covers what else is available.
