Brain Injury Caregiver Pay
Getting Paid to Care for a Family Member With a Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury can affect memory, judgment, balance, and physical coordination all at once — and the day-to-day help a loved one needs often doesn't match a typical recovery timeline. If you're already providing that care, you may qualify to get paid for it.
By Kinwell · 2 min read · Last updated: July 29, 2026
Who qualifies
Two sets of requirements have to line up:
Your loved one generally needs to:
- Be eligible for Michigan Medicaid
- Require physical assistance with at least one activity of daily living
You generally need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a relative, friend, or neighbor
Per MDHHS, a spouse can't be paid under this program.1
What kind of care counts after a brain injury
Per MDHHS, the program may pay for help with:
- Eating or feeding
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Moving throughout the home
- Transferring from one position to another
- Using the toilet
Balance and coordination problems often mean help with transferring and moving safely through the home; motor weakness can mean help with dressing and bathing. Cognitive effects — memory loss, impulsivity, trouble following steps — are often the hardest part day to day, but supervision or reminders alone don't meet the physical-assistance requirement. They usually still qualify when they come alongside a physical need, like needing hands-on dressing help due to both weakness and difficulty sequencing steps.
Recovery isn't linear, and Home Help isn't limited to permanent conditions — an ongoing need can qualify at any stage.
Frequently asked
My loved one's needs have changed a lot since the injury — sometimes better, sometimes worse. Does that affect anything? Not for the initial approval. Home Help hours are based on the physical assistance currently needed, not a permanent diagnosis, so a fluctuating recovery doesn't disqualify you. If needs change significantly, you can request a new in-home assessment to adjust the approved hours. See how to request more hours →
References
Cited in this article
- 1
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). ASM 135 — Home Help Individual Provider Requirements. mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/ex/AS/Public/ASM/135.pdf
Related reading
- Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program: Eligibility & How It Works
- Medicaid Family Caregiver Pay in Michigan: The Complete Guide
- Caring for a Family Member After a Stroke
- Caring for Someone With Parkinson's, MS, or ALS
- How to Become a Paid Family Caregiver in Michigan
- Full FAQ
See if you and your loved one qualify.