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Independent Living (Home Help)

Independent Living Services (Home Help)

The Home Help program is designed to support individuals who wish to live independently in their home rather than live in an adult foster care home, home for the aged, or nursing facility. A range of services are available to anyone that needs assistance to maintain the ability to live safely in their home. If you or your loved one needs help, contact the Adult Services unit at your local county Michigan Department of Health & Human Services office. To find your local MDHHS office, visit www.michigan.gov/contactMDHHS.

Forms and Publications

Home Help Services Overview

Home Help Services Overview (Spanish)

Home Help Services Overview (Arabic)

Non-Medicaid Services

Adult Services staff may be able to provide support to adults who have limitations taking care of themselves and do not receive Medicaid. Services include:

  • Information and referrals to community resources and services
  • Protection for adults in need of a guardian or conservator but who are not in immediate need of protective intervention - If you have an immediate need for protection, call adult protective services at 1-855-444-3911
  • Money Management Resources
  • Housing Resources

Medicaid Services - Home Help

Assistance is available if you are eligible for Medicaid and require physical assistance with at least one activity of daily living.

An adult services worker will complete an assessment in your home to determine whether you qualify for assistance through the Home Help program. Some of the available services include:

Available Services

The Home Help program may pay for the following activities of daily living:

  • Eating or Feeding
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Moving throughout the home
  • Transferring from one position to another
  • Using the toilet
  • Complex Care (including catheters, leg bags, colostomy care, bowel program, suctioning, specialized skin care, range of motion exercises, peritoneal dialysis, wound care, respiratory treatment, ventilators, or injections). 

 

If you qualify for one of the above activities of daily living, you may also receive assistance with the following:

  • Administering or setting up medicine
  • Laundry
  • Light housework
  • Meal preparation/clean up
  • Shopping for essential items
  • Travel for shopping/laundry

Services Not Covered

The following services are not covered by Home Help:

  • Heavy housework
  • Home repairs
  • Prompting or reminding someone to complete a task
  • Supervision
  • Transportation
  • Yard work

Medicaid Services - Home Help

Recipients of the Home Help program hire and employ their providers. These providers are not employed by MDHHS or the State of Michigan.

Providers must be at least 18 years old and may be a relative, friend, neighbor, or health care agency. A client's spouse or a parent caring for a minor child cannot be paid by MDHHS to provide care.

Providers must be enrolled in the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System (CHAMPS) and undergo a criminal history screen before they can be paid. The provider's hourly rate is based on the county in which the client lives.

If a provider has questions regarding the enrollment process in CHAMPS, please contact Provider Support Services at 800-979-4662, or email providersupport@michigan.gov, or visit the MDHHS Home Help Provider Support website at  www.michigan.gov/homehelp.

Home Help Respite and Caregiver Support Grant

Available through September 30, 2025

If you have questions about the temporary respite grant, please email MDHHS-Home-Help-Caregiver-Respite@michigan.gov.