Getting Paid to Care for a Disabled Family Member in Michigan

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

This isn't limited to conditions associated with aging — adults living with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and similar conditions diagnosed earlier in life qualify the same way, as long as the physical assistance requirement above is met. This guide covers adult family members specifically — for a minor child, Home Help may still apply under a stricter standard, or the Children's Waiver Program may be a better fit. See the distinction →

What kind of care counts

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

More clinical-sounding tasks — catheter care, wound care, and similar needs — can also count as complex care, but only once a physician documents the need and the caregiver is specifically trained. See the full breakdown →

Pure supervision or reminders — without hands-on physical assistance — generally aren't covered on their own, but most families supporting a disabled loved one qualify through the physical care needs above.

What if it's an intellectual or developmental disability?

Home Help is built around physical assistance, not intellectual or developmental needs. For those, Michigan's Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW) — a separate Medicaid program covering community living supports, respite, and supported employment for people who meet an institutional level of care — may be the better fit.² A family member can sometimes provide certain HSW services if they meet that service's provider qualifications; your local Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP) can confirm what applies. Kinwell doesn't administer HSW — we work within Home Help and MI Coordinated Health only.

Frequently asked

Can I get paid for caring for my disabled mother or father? Yes — if they have Michigan Medicaid and need physical help with at least one daily activity, you may qualify to be paid as their caregiver, the same as with any other qualifying condition.

Does this cover children with disabilities, like autism or Down syndrome? This guide covers adult family members specifically. For a minor child, Home Help may still apply under a stricter standard, or the Children's Waiver Program — a separate Medicaid program for children with developmental disabilities — may be a better fit.

How do I become a caregiver for a disabled family member in Michigan? The process is the same as any other Home Help caregiver: check eligibility, your family member signs the paperwork, a clinician confirms medical necessity, an in-home assessment sets the approved hours, and pay begins. Most caregivers see pay within 1–2 months. Read the full application guide →

Related reading

• Michigan Home Help Program: Eligibility & How It Works
• How to Become a Paid Family Caregiver in Michigan
• How Much Do Family Caregivers Get Paid in Michigan?
• Full FAQ