How to Log Michigan Home Help Hours Accurately in CHAMPS
After you’re approved for the Michigan Home Help Program, the next step is logging your hours through the CHAMPS system. CHAMPS is where caregivers record the time they’ve worked so payments can be processed by the state.
Accurate time logging keeps payments on schedule and ensures all hours match what MDHHS approved.
Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers stay organized and submit hours correctly so they can continue receiving $17 or more per hour weekly once the state approves their care hours.
What CHAMPS is used for
CHAMPS stands for the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System. It’s the online portal that tracks all activity for the Michigan Home Help Program.
Caregivers use CHAMPS to
Enter their work hours
Review past timesheets
Track payment status
Update information when needed
MDHHS uses the system to confirm that care hours match the approval letter, so accuracy is important for every submission.
How to access CHAMPS
Go to www.michigan.gov/CHAMPS.
Click Login to CHAMPS.
Sign in with your MILogin ID and password.
Once you’re signed in, select Provider Enrollment or Home Help to view your caregiver profile.
If you’ve never logged in before, you’ll need to create a MILogin account and link it to your CHAMPS provider ID.
Learn how to enroll in CHAMPS in Understanding the CHAMPS System for the Michigan Home Help Program
How to log hours correctly
When entering your hours, follow these steps carefully
Select the correct client from your list of assigned care recipients.
Choose the date range for the pay period you’re submitting.
Enter hours worked each day under the correct category of care tasks.
Double-check that the total matches the hours listed in your MDHHS approval letter.
Submit the entry for approval before the deadline.
MDHHS allows only the number of hours listed on the approval letter, so do not exceed that total. Any overage will not be paid and can cause system delays.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even small errors can delay caregiver pay. Avoid these common issues
Submitting timesheets late or after the pay period closes
Entering more hours than approved
Logging hours on days when the care recipient was hospitalized or out of the home
Forgetting to save or confirm the submission
Using the wrong client ID or care category
Care Plan Inc. verifies timesheets weekly and contacts caregivers when entries need correction. Keeping a written record of your daily hours helps avoid confusion.
Best practices for accurate logging
Accuracy in CHAMPS starts with daily consistency. Here are tips for keeping everything in order
Record hours daily instead of waiting until the end of the week.
Keep a paper or digital backup of your timesheets.
Always match the hours to the care tasks allowed on the approval letter.
Check that your MILogin and CHAMPS passwords are current to avoid login issues.
Review your submission for typos before saving.
When to submit hours
Timesheets are usually due every two weeks, depending on the pay cycle. Late entries can delay payment until the next cycle, so check your pay schedule and submit early whenever possible.
After submitting, verify that your entry shows as “Received” or “Pending Review.” Once MDHHS confirms, it will change to “Approved” and the payment will process automatically.
Care Plan Inc. processes weekly payments directly to caregivers based on MDHHS confirmation.
How to fix a mistake
If you notice an error after submitting hours, contact Care Plan Inc. right away. In many cases, we can help identify the issue and request a correction through CHAMPS before the payment goes through.
Do not submit multiple timesheets for the same pay period unless asked. Duplicate entries can freeze your payment until reviewed.
If the issue involves the approval letter or authorized hours, your ASW may need to review the file before additional hours are released.
Tracking your payments
Once hours are approved, payments are processed weekly through Care Plan Inc. You can check the status of your payment in CHAMPS under the Payment History tab or by logging into your bank account to confirm deposit dates.
We recommend caregivers keep a simple notebook or digital tracker with the following columns
Date of care
Hours worked
Total weekly hours
Pay date received
This makes record keeping simple during tax season or annual reviews.
If your payment is delayed
If a payment is delayed, first check CHAMPS to see whether the hours are still “Pending.” If so, MDHHS may still be reviewing the entry. If it shows “Approved,” contact Care Plan Inc. to confirm your payment schedule.
Delays often occur because of late submissions, missing approval forms, or inactive caregiver status in CHAMPS.
Learn how to prevent delays in How to Avoid Payment Delays in the Michigan Home Help Program
Tips for staying organized all year
Set a reminder in your phone for each submission deadline.
Keep CHAMPS login info in a safe, private place.
Review your approval letter quarterly to make sure your hours are still accurate.
Notify MDHHS or your ASW right away if you change your phone number or email address.
How Care Plan Inc. helps
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 understand CHAMPS, log hours accurately, and stay paid on time.
We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly once MDHHS approves their hours through the Michigan Home Help Program.
Read Understanding the CHAMPS System for the Michigan Home Help Program and How to Renew Your Michigan Home Help Program Approval
Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers across Michigan manage their hours, track payments, and stay organized year-round.
Check your eligibility or enter your information through the Contact form for inquiries.