Can a Spouse Be a Paid Caregiver in Michigan?

A wife helps her husband with his medicine at home

No. Michigan’s Home Help program does not pay a husband or wife to care for their spouse. An adult child, another relative or a friend can be the paid caregiver instead.

What the rule says

MDHHS calls a spouse a “responsible relative.” Its Home Help caregiver policy says payments can’t go to a spouse caring for a spouse, or to a parent caring for a child under 18.

The rule applies even when a couple is separated. It is the same whether the caregiver is paid by the state or works for an agency.

Who can be the paid caregiver

The person receiving care chooses the caregiver. It can be a family member or a friend who is at least 18, such as an adult son or daughter, a sibling, a grandchild or a neighbor.

The caregiver enrolls in CHAMPS, the state’s Medicaid provider system, and passes a background check. A person who gets Home Help can’t also be a paid Home Help caregiver.

When a husband or wife lives in the home

A spouse at home also affects what Home Help will approve for someone else to do. The state expects a spouse to help unless they are unable or unavailable. Its assessment policy explains both words:

Unavailable means away from home for long stretches because of work, school or another good reason. MDHHS asks for a work or school schedule.
Unable means the spouse has disabilities of their own that keep them from giving the care. A medical professional confirms this on the medical needs form.

When the spouse is unable or unavailable, MDHHS can approve paid help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. Shopping, laundry and light housecleaning are not approved while a spouse who can do them lives in the home.

If your spouse is a Veteran

The VA runs a separate program that can pay a spouse. In the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a primary family caregiver may get a monthly payment. A spouse can apply.

Among other requirements, the Veteran must have a VA disability rating of 70% or higher, be enrolled in VA health care and need at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care.

What married couples can do next

Ask an adult child, relative or friend whether they can be the paid caregiver.
Contact the Adult Services unit at your county MDHHS office to ask for Home Help. MDHHS lists the steps on its Home Help page.
Tell the worker about the spouse’s work schedule or health limits before the home visit.

Panda Care helps Michigan families enroll and pays caregivers $19 an hour, paid every 2 weeks. Call (313) 284-2501 or visit our Michigan page.