Short answer: “CDPAP” is a common name for consumer-directed personal assistance in other states. In Michigan, the official MDHHS program that provides personal-care help at home and lets the client choose an individual caregiver or an agency is Home Help. This page uses “CDPAP” because that is what many families search for; Home Help is the Michigan program name to verify.
What Michigan Home Help lets a family control
Home Help supports an eligible Medicaid beneficiary who needs hands-on help with at least one activity of daily living. The client—not the State of Michigan—employs the individual caregiver and can hire, fire, or change that caregiver. The client can choose an individual caregiver, such as a qualifying family member or friend, or choose an agency provider.
That is the part people usually mean when they search for a CDPAP program in Michigan: the person receiving care has a meaningful say in who provides it instead of being assigned a stranger.
Who can be the paid caregiver?
Michigan's Home Help rules allow an individual caregiver to be a family member or friend who meets the program requirements. Adult children, siblings, grandchildren, and friends are common examples. The caregiver must be at least 18, complete the CHAMPS enrollment process, and pass the required criminal-history screening.
A spouse cannot be paid as the individual caregiver under Home Help. A parent caring for a minor child is also restricted under the program's rules. Because a relationship alone does not decide eligibility, confirm the specific situation with the local MDHHS adult services worker.
Home Help vs. the agency option
Both routes can help a Michigan family arrange in-home care, but the day-to-day responsibilities are different.
| Self-directed individual caregiver | Agency provider |
|---|---|
| The client chooses and employs the caregiver directly. | The agency employs and manages the caregiver. |
| The caregiver enrolls through CHAMPS and follows EVV requirements. | The agency handles its caregiver onboarding, payroll, and coverage policies. |
| The 2026 individual rate is $17.13 per hour. | Pay and scheduling follow the agency's contract and payroll policies. |
| More direct family control, but the client must manage the relationship. | More administrative support and potential backup coverage, but less direct control. |
How to apply in Michigan
- Start with the county MDHHS office. The referral goes to the county where the person needing care lives; it is not the same as signing up for a private home-care job.
- Complete the Medicaid and Home Help steps. MDHHS reviews the client's program eligibility and medical need, then schedules an in-home assessment.
- Choose the care path. The client can select an individual caregiver or an agency provider.
- Finish provider enrollment. An individual caregiver enrolls in CHAMPS, completes screening, receives a provider ID, and follows EVV requirements before services are paid.
For the full process, see the Michigan Home Help application walkthrough. If you are choosing a family caregiver, the self-direction guide explains the practical trade-offs.
What Home Help does—and does not—cover
MDHHS lists help with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, mobility, toileting, and transferring. Depending on eligibility and the assessment, the program may also cover certain instrumental tasks such as light housework, laundry, medication setup, meal preparation, and shopping.
It does not automatically pay for supervision, transportation, yard work, home repairs, or heavy housework. The assessment focuses on the client's documented need and the time required for covered tasks.
Use the official name when you call. Tell the county office you are asking about Michigan's Home Help Program and the individual caregiver option. “CDPAP” may be understood as a general term, but Home Help is the program name used in MDHHS materials.
Common questions
Families searching for CDPAP in Michigan should start with the MDHHS Home Help Program's individual-provider option. It lets an eligible client choose an individual caregiver or an agency provider. Confirm current rules with MDHHS because program names and details vary by state.
An adult child may be eligible to serve as the individual Home Help caregiver if the care recipient qualifies and the caregiver completes the required enrollment, screening, and EVV steps. See the eligibility and self-direction guides for the full checklist.
Start with the local MDHHS office where the care recipient lives. Individual caregiver enrollment questions can also go to MDHHS Provider Support at 1-800-979-4662 or ProviderSupport@michigan.gov.
Want help sorting out the right path?
We can explain the self-directed and agency options for families in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
Check my eligibility