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How to get paid up to $23/hr to care for your own family member.

Michigan's MDHHS Home Help Program already lets Medicaid-eligible residents choose their own paid caregiver. Here's exactly how the pay works, why the amount depends on who employs the caregiver, and how Hearthaven fits in.

$23.00/hr, up to — Hearthaven employee $17.13/hr — MI self-directed rate, 2026

Rates verified against MDHHS Adult Services Bulletin ASB 2026-002 · Page last reviewed August 2026

The Short Answer

Michigan pays two different rates for the same program — because there are two different employers.

The MDHHS Home Help Program is a single Medicaid benefit, but the hourly rate a caregiver takes home depends entirely on who employs them: the Medicaid recipient personally (self-direction), or a licensed provider agency like Hearthaven.

Hired as a Hearthaven Employee

$23^/hr

Michigan's 2026 Home Help agency provider rate is $27.00/hour ($23.60 base + a $3.40 pass-through) — the amount MDHHS pays a provider agency per hour of approved, verified care. As your employer, Hearthaven passes a substantial share of that rate directly to the caregiver we hire, up to $23.00 per hour, with the remainder covering payroll taxes, workers' compensation, the background check, the skilled-nurse intake evaluation, and ongoing compliance and support.

We complete your caregiver's CHAMPS enrollment
W-2 payroll and tax withholding handled for you
EVV visit verification set up and supported
Background check and nurse evaluation included

Self-Directed (Individual Provider)

$17.13^/hr

Under self-direction, the Medicaid recipient is the employer of record for their own chosen caregiver, and a Fiscal Intermediary (FI) processes payroll on their behalf. MDHHS sets this individual provider rate statewide: $13.73 base pay plus a $3.40 pass-through, totaling $17.13/hour as of January 1, 2026.

Family manages scheduling and day-to-day direction
Caregiver enrolls individually through an FI
No agency-level oversight, training, or nurse evaluation
Statewide fixed rate, set by MDHHS

Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Adult Services Bulletin ASB 2026-002, effective January 1, 2026. Hearthaven's caregiver pay of up to $23.00/hour is Hearthaven's own compensation decision as the employer of record, not a rate set or guaranteed by MDHHS, and can vary by caregiver role, experience, and the number of hours MDHHS approves for your loved one's care plan. Rates are subject to change by MDHHS; we update this page whenever new bulletins are issued.

See It In Real Numbers

What would your monthly pay actually look like?

Move the slider to your realistic weekly care hours and compare monthly pay side by side. Most approved Home Help cases authorize up to 180 hours per month (about 41.5 hours/week); some qualify for more when documented needs are higher.

Who Can Become a Paid Caregiver

Most people already caring for a loved one qualify to be hired.

As a general rule under Michigan's Home Help self-direction and provider-agency framework, eligible caregivers typically include adult children, siblings, grandchildren, other relatives, and close friends of the person needing care. Spouses and parents of minor children are generally excluded from being paid under this specific program — we'll confirm your exact eligibility during your free consultation.

Be 18 or older and legally able to work in the United States.

Pass a background check as part of Hearthaven's employee onboarding.

Not be the care recipient's spouse or the parent of a minor child receiving care, per program rules.

Be available for the approved hours determined by the MDHHS adult services assessment.

Complete a brief skilled-nurse intake with Hearthaven before starting paid care.

Live in or be willing to travel to Wayne, Macomb, or Oakland County, Michigan.

Apply to Be a Caregiver Check care-recipient eligibility

Common Questions

Pay & payroll questions we hear most.

Is the $23/hr rate guaranteed for every caregiver?

No. Up to $23.00/hour is Hearthaven's pay practice as the employer, not a rate set by MDHHS, and it can vary by role, experience, and the number of hours approved for the care plan. We'll give you a specific number during onboarding, before your caregiver starts working.

Do I have to pay taxes on this income?

Yes, as a Hearthaven employee your caregiver pay is reported on a W-2, and standard payroll tax withholding applies. Some caregivers who live with the care recipient may qualify for specific tax treatment under IRS rules for difficulty-of-care payments — this is a real tax question, and we recommend discussing your specific situation with a tax professional.

How often do I get paid?

Hearthaven runs standard payroll for its employed caregivers on a regular pay schedule, separate from the timing of MDHHS's own reimbursement cycle to the agency. We'll walk through the exact schedule during onboarding.

What is EVV and why does it affect my pay?

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a federally required system that confirms when a caregiver visit starts and ends. MDHHS requires EVV data for Home Help visits to be submitted before those hours can be billed and paid, so consistent visit check-ins directly affect how smoothly and quickly pay is processed.

Can I switch from self-direction to Hearthaven later?

In many cases, yes. Families sometimes start under self-direction and later move to a provider agency once they want more support with paperwork and oversight, or vice versa. Talk with us and your MDHHS caseworker about switching providers — the right timing depends on your household's approval and enrollment status.

How to get paid up to $23/hr to care for your own family member.

Michigan pays two different rates for the same program — because there are two different employers.

What would your monthly pay actually look like?

Most people already caring for a loved one qualify to be hired.

Pay & payroll questions we hear most.

Further Reading

Ready to see what your family qualifies for?