Michigan Home Help: Myths vs. Facts

Misinformation about MDHHS Home Help is common, and it has a real cost: families who'd qualify sometimes never apply because they've heard something inaccurate secondhand. Here are the myths we correct most often, with the actual facts.

Myth: "You have to be broke to qualify."

Fact: Home Help eligibility is not decided by a single “how much money do you have?” test. MDHHS applies Medicaid and functional-need rules, and financial limits can change. Start with the eligibility checklist and confirm current figures with MDHHS.

Myth: "Only professional caregivers can get paid."

Fact: Many family members, including adult children and siblings, may be eligible caregivers. A client's spouse cannot be the caregiver under MDHHS's current Home Help guidance. See how family caregiver pay works and confirm current rules with MDHHS.

Myth: "The pay isn't worth the paperwork."

Fact: Payment rates and enrollment procedures can change. Do not rely on an old dollar amount; use the current MDHHS guidance and the site's pay guide when comparing options.

Myth: "There's a long waitlist, like other Medicaid programs."

Fact: Home Help and waiver programs such as MI Choice use different eligibility and enrollment processes. Ask MDHHS about current timing for your case instead of assuming that another program's waitlist rules apply. See the waitlist guide.

Myth: "You have to quit your job to be a paid caregiver."

Fact: There's no rule against holding another job while providing paid Home Help caregiving — many caregivers work approved hours around a full-time job. See how that actually works.

The bottom line

Most of the misconceptions about Home Help lead in the same direction: they discourage eligible families from applying. If something you've heard doesn't match what's here, the fastest way to get a straight answer for your specific situation is a free consultation — not another secondhand opinion.