How to Avoid Payment Delays in the Michigan Home Help Program
Once you are approved for the Michigan Home Help Program, getting paid on time depends on accurate timesheets, active eligibility, and clear communication with your caseworker. Even small errors can cause delays.
Understanding what causes payment delays helps caregivers stay on schedule and maintain consistent income.
Care Plan Inc. helps Michigan caregivers stay organized, submit their timesheets correctly, and receive weekly pay at $17 or more per hour once approved by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
How Payment Verification Works
Before payments are issued, MDHHS must verify that the hours submitted match the approved care plan. Care Plan Inc. submits hours to MDHHS for review, and once confirmed, payments are processed weekly.
This system ensures that all hours are accurate, authorized, and paid for within state guidelines.
Common Causes of Payment Delays
Many caregivers experience delays for simple reasons that can be avoided with a little planning. Below are the most common issues that hold up payments and how to prevent them.
Missing or Incorrect Timesheets
Timesheets are the most common cause of delay. If hours are missing, totals are incorrect, or signatures are missing, MDHHS will hold the payment until the problem is fixed.
How to prevent it:
Double-check that all hours are recorded for each day worked.
Confirm that both the caregiver and care recipient have signed the timesheet.
Make sure the total hours match your approved care plan.
Learn how to track your hours correctly in How to Track Your Hours and Payments in the Michigan Home Help Program
Expired or Incomplete Medical Forms
If the DHS-54A Medical Needs Form expires or is missing information, MDHHS cannot confirm the recipient’s eligibility. This automatically pauses payment until an updated form is received.
How to prevent it:
Check the date on your DHS-54A form and renew it each year. Have your doctor sign a new version before it expires.
Learn more in How to Update or Replace Your DHS-54A Medical Needs Form
Inactive Medicaid Coverage
Home Help payments can only be issued when the recipient’s Medicaid coverage is active. If Medicaid lapses, even temporarily, services and payments will stop.
How to prevent it:
Renew Medicaid on time, respond to all renewal letters, and update income or address information right away.
Learn more in How to Maintain Medicaid Eligibility for the Michigan Home Help Program
Late or Missed Timesheet Submissions
MDHHS reviews timesheets on a set schedule. If you miss a submission deadline, your payment may be delayed until the next pay cycle.
How to prevent it:
Submit timesheets weekly and mark deadlines on your calendar. Submitting early helps if there are any corrections needed before processing.
CHAMPS Registration Not Completed
Every caregiver must be registered and approved in the CHAMPS system before payments can begin. If your CHAMPS account is incomplete or inactive, MDHHS will not process payments.
How to prevent it:
Complete CHAMPS registration early and check your MILogin account for updates. Contact Care Plan Inc. if you are unsure of your CHAMPS status.
Learn more in Understanding the CHAMPS System for the Michigan Home Help Program – https://www.michiganhomehelp.org/blog/understanding-champs-system-michigan-home-help
Incorrect or Changed Bank Information
If your payment method changes or your account information is incorrect, deposits may fail.
How to prevent it:
Notify Care Plan Inc. immediately if you switch bank accounts or addresses. Always confirm that your payment information matches your current details.
What to Do if a Payment Is Delayed
If you notice a delay, start by confirming that:
Your timesheet was submitted on time and signed correctly.
Your Medicaid and CHAMPS status are active.
Your medical documentation is current.
If everything appears correct, contact Care Plan Inc. so we can check the MDHHS processing status and help you identify what needs to be corrected.
Most delays can be resolved within a short period once missing information is submitted.
How to Stay Organized
Keeping your records and documents in one place helps avoid last-minute issues. Create a folder with:
Copies of all submitted timesheets
Approval letters and reassessment notices
Updated DHS-54A forms
Payment confirmations or pay stubs
Staying organized helps you respond quickly if MDHHS or Care Plan Inc. requests information.
Learn how to stay compliant in Maintaining Eligibility for the Home Help Program
How Care Plan Inc. Supports Caregivers
Care Plan Inc. is not part of MDHHS and does not decide who qualifies or how many hours are approved. Our agency helps Michigan caregivers stay compliant, complete required forms, and avoid common issues that cause payment delays.
We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for approved hours through the Michigan Home Help Program. Our team ensures your timesheets and information are submitted correctly so payments arrive on schedule.
Read Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Michigan and Common Mistakes When Reapplying for the Michigan Home Help Program
Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers across Michigan stay informed, organized, and paid weekly for approved Home Help hours.
Check your eligibility or enter your information through the Contact form for inquiries.