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Caring for someone you love is one of the most powerful acts of devotion. Whether it’s helping your aging mother with her meals, assisting your sibling with mobility, or supporting a close friend with bathing and dressing, these daily tasks are essential—and often exhausting.
Many Michiganders do this work out of love and necessity, often without any form of pay or outside support. But here’s something too few people know: if your loved one has Medicaid and needs help with daily living tasks, you may be able to get paid for the care you’re already providing.
Thanks to FreedomCare’s launch in Michigan, getting that support is now easier than ever.
FreedomCare Has Expanded to Michigan—and That’s Good News for Families
FreedomCare, a leading provider of in-home care services, has officially launched its support for the Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program. The program allows qualifying Medicaid recipients to choose their own caregiver—including a family member or close friend.
That means if you’re already helping someone with personal care, you could become their official paid caregiver.
With more than 72,000 families helped across the country, FreedomCare brings its proven system of fast eligibility checks, application support, and caregiver training to communities across Michigan—including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, and beyond.
If you live in Michigan and someone you care for has Medicaid, you could get paid to care for them. FreedomCare will help you figure it out step-by-step.
What Is a Family Caregiver?
A family caregiver is someone who helps a loved one with the day-to-day activities they can’t manage alone. That might include:
- Bathing and dressing
- Preparing meals
- Managing medications
- Helping with mobility or toileting
- Cleaning or running errands
- Providing companionship and emotional support
Most of us think of this as simply “helping out.” But it’s actually a critical health service—and one that Medicaid in Michigan is now paying for through the Home Help Program.
How the Michigan Home Help Program Works
The Home Help Program is designed to keep people at home, living safely and independently, rather than going into a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
Funded by Michigan Medicaid, this program provides financial assistance so individuals who need personal care can hire someone they trust—like a family member or friend—to help them with non-medical daily living tasks.
With FreedomCare’s support, the process of enrolling in the program and becoming a paid caregiver is no longer confusing or stressful. They handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on care.
Who Can Get Paid to Provide Care?
If you’re wondering whether you qualify to get paid, here’s how it works.
To be eligible as a caregiver, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Not be excluded from the Medicaid program
- Complete caregiver training and pass a background check
Spouses and legal guardians are not eligible to be paid under this program, but adult children, siblings, cousins, friends, and even neighbors may qualify.
Who Can Receive Care Through the Program?
To qualify for the Michigan Home Help Program, the person receiving care must:
- Be a Michigan resident
- Be enrolled in Medicaid
- Need assistance with at least one Activity of Daily Living (like bathing, dressing, eating, etc.)
- Complete an in-home needs assessment with a caseworker from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)
- Obtain a physician’s certification verifying the need for care
FreedomCare helps manage these steps from start to finish.
What Services Are Covered?
The Home Help Program covers a wide range of non-medical support tasks that caregivers assist with every day:
- Bathing and grooming
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Feeding and meal prep
- Mobility assistance
- Light housekeeping related to the individual’s care
In some cases, more complex tasks like catheter assistance or tube feeding may also be approved if the caregiver is trained and capable.
How Much Do Family Caregivers Get Paid in Michigan?
Caregivers are paid hourly, and the number of hours is determined by the MDHHS based on the needs assessment. Pay rates can vary depending on the region and the individual’s level of care.
While the program may not replace full-time income for everyone, it can significantly ease financial pressure and allow families to avoid more drastic solutions like quitting a job or placing a loved one in a facility.
FreedomCare’s 5-Step Process to Get You Paid
FreedomCare’s mission is to make this as simple and supportive as possible. Here’s how it works:
1. Check Eligibility
FreedomCare’s Michigan team will ask a few questions to confirm whether your loved one qualifies for Medicaid and the Home Help Program—and whether you’re eligible to be their paid caregiver.
2. Work With a Case Manager
If you qualify, you’ll be paired with a dedicated FreedomCare case manager who will walk you through the Medicaid paperwork and required assessments.
3. Get Registered and Trained
You’ll complete a criminal background check, register with Michigan’s CHAMPS system, and complete any required training. FreedomCare makes each of these steps manageable and clear.
4. Start Providing Care
Once approved, you’ll begin logging your hours and delivering care. You’ll track your time and tasks using tools that FreedomCare provides to ensure proper payment.
5. Receive Ongoing Pay and Support
As a paid caregiver, you’ll receive direct deposits for your approved hours, and FreedomCare will be there for any questions, troubleshooting, or additional support you need.
Why It Matters
For many families in Michigan, FreedomCare has opened the door to an entirely new way to care. Instead of struggling in silence or burning out while trying to juggle work and caregiving, families now have an option that lets them keep loved ones at home—while still getting paid for their time and effort.
As Caitlin Griffin, Michigan Operations Director at FreedomCare, puts it:
“Every Medicaid member in Michigan deserves care that’s delivered with compassion and dignity. Whether you’re in Detroit, Grand Rapids, or anywhere in between, our in-home care services help keep families together while making sure caregivers are paid and supported.”
Other Ways Michigan Families Can Get Paid for Caregiving
While the Home Help Program is the most well-known option, there are a few additional ways families can explore caregiver compensation:
- Long-Term Care Insurance
If your loved one has a private policy, it may include caregiver benefits—even for family members. - Employer Leave Benefits
Some employers offer paid caregiving leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or internal benefits programs. - Private Pay or Family Contracts
In some cases, families arrange to pay a caregiver directly, often with a written agreement to avoid legal or financial confusion later.
FreedomCare can help point you in the right direction if one of these paths fits your family’s situation better.
Resources for Michigan Caregivers
Caring for someone isn’t easy—and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. Here are some support services available across the state:
- Area Agencies on Aging – Offer respite services, transportation help, and more
- Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) – Training and support groups for caregivers
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – Advocates for seniors and their caregivers
- Local MDHHS Offices – Help with Medicaid paperwork and assessments
FreedomCare works in partnership with many of these organizations to ensure caregivers are fully supported—financially, emotionally, and logistically.
Ready to Get Paid for Caring?
You’re already doing the hard part: showing up, giving your time, and caring for someone you love. Now let FreedomCare help you get the support you deserve.
Whether you live in a big city like Detroit or a smaller town like Marquette or Saginaw, FreedomCare’s Michigan team is ready to help you get started.
Visit www.freedomcare.com/michigan or call 866-322-6076 to check your eligibility today.
About FreedomCare
FreedomCare is a trusted provider of in-home care through Michigan’s Medicaid-funded Home Help Program. We help families choose their own caregivers, get paid for the care they provide, and navigate every step of the process. With more than 72,000 families supported across the country, we’re proud to bring our people-first approach to Michigan homes.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.