No — the $17.13/hr self-directed rate and up-to-$23/hr agency rate are set statewide by MDHHS, along with the 2026 asset and income eligibility limits. A family in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County qualifies under exactly the same numbers.
What's actually the same everywhere
- Hourly pay rates for self-directed and agency caregivers
- 2026 asset and income limits
- The MDHHS-5534 assessment itself
- EVV requirements
- The CHAMPS enrollment process
What does change from place to place
Which county MDHHS office handles your case, typical caseload and wait times at that office, and local context like housing stock, commute patterns, and multigenerational household norms that shape how families actually use the program. That local color is what our Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county guides focus on — not different rules.
Why the confusion happens
Some Michigan assistance programs, like certain child care subsidies, genuinely do vary by region. Home Help isn't one of them — it's a single statewide rate structure, which surprises families who assume otherwise.
Confirming your local office
Each of our county guides links to the correct local MDHHS office contact information for that area.
