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Michigan Home Help Program
Overview of the Michigan Home Help Program
This is a Medicaid program for elderly and disabled Michigan residents that require assistance with their activities of daily living. The Home Help Program is intended to promote independence at home and therefore is not available to individuals living in nursing homes or assisted living residences.
There is a consumer direction component to this program which is also referred to as participant direction or self-direction. Based on Medicaid’s Cash and Counseling model, program participants are allowed to select their own caregivers. Friends and family members can be paid for the care they provide. The individual works with the county case manager to determine the appropriate amount of care required and then is granted a budget for care instead of receiving care services from the state.
Qualifications for the Michigan Home Help Program
Individuals must require assistance with their activities of daily living to be eligible for this program. In addition, they must be financially qualified to receive Medicaid.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits / Services Covered by Michigan Home Help Program
Services provided under this program are determined on a case by case basis with a county worker. The types of services typically included are assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating and personal hygiene. Also included is assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry and shopping for groceries, prescription drugs and other essentials.
How to Apply for the Michigan Home Help Program
To apply, one should contact their Department of Health County office. A county by county list is available on this webpage. More information is available on the program here.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
