How to Prepare for Your Michigan Home Help Program Renewal Letter

Written By Amal Ali

Every year the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reviews each participant’s Michigan Home Help Program case. Before that review you receive a renewal letter in the mail. The letter explains your current approval period, the hours on record, and the steps you must complete to keep services active without interruption.

Understanding the renewal letter helps you avoid gaps in services or caregiver pay. Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers prepare for renewals and stay organized so they continue receiving $17 or more per hour weekly once hours are approved by the state.

What the renewal letter means

The renewal letter is the official notice that your case is under review. It usually arrives about a month before your current approval period ends. Inside you will see your case number, your assigned Adult Services Worker, your current approval dates, your approved hours, and any instructions about forms or appointments. Many letters also list a firm due date for documents or for scheduling the reassessment visit.

If you miss the due date the case can pause and payments stop until the required steps are finished. Opening the envelope the day it arrives and starting right away is the safest approach.

What to do as soon as the letter arrives

Work through these steps in order

  1. Review your current monthly hours and the start and end dates shown

  2. Confirm your Medicaid status is active and note your Medicaid renewal month

  3. Check the date on your DHS 54A Medical Needs Form and plan a doctor visit if it is expiring

  4. Contact your Adult Services Worker to confirm the reassessment window and ask about any documents they want to see

  5. Gather every document listed in the letter so you can submit a complete packet

If you need a refresher on reassessments read What to Expect During Your Michigan Home Help Reassessment

Five things to check inside the letter

  1. Approval dates match your records

  2. Total approved hours are correct for the current month

  3. Your name address and phone number are correct

  4. Instructions list which forms must be updated or returned

  5. A due date is clearly shown for documents and scheduling

If any detail is wrong contact your Adult Services Worker right away so the correction is on file before the visit.

What to gather before the reassessment visit

Having complete paperwork ready makes the visit faster and avoids repeat appointments. Prepare the following

  1. Identification for the care recipient and the caregiver

  2. Proof of active Medicaid or your most recent coverage notice

  3. The current DHS 54A Medical Needs Form or a new version signed by your doctor

  4. Any medical updates since last approval such as new diagnoses mobility changes or medication changes

  5. A simple list of daily tasks that require help like bathing dressing meals mobility reminders and household tasks

  6. Recent timesheets so the worker can see how hours were used

If you need help with the medical form read How to Update or Replace Your DHS 54A Medical Needs Form

How the reassessment connects to your letter

The renewal letter starts the process. The reassessment confirms your current needs. During the visit the worker reviews your DHS 54A, observes daily activities, checks that the home is safe for in home care, and verifies that the tasks on your plan match your day to day needs. The worker submits notes and a recommendation to MDHHS. The department then issues your new approval letter with final hours and service dates.

If the worker needs more information do not worry. Provide what is requested as soon as possible so the case does not pause.

If your hours change after renewal

Hours can increase if your medical needs have grown since last year. Hours can decrease if you need fewer tasks or less frequent help. If the number of hours does not match your needs talk to your Adult Services Worker about a review. If you still disagree you can file an appeal.

How to avoid renewal delays

Delays usually come from missing forms, expired medical paperwork, or appointments scheduled too close to the deadline. Use these reminders

  1. Track your DHS 54A expiration date and book the doctor visit at least four weeks early

  2. Keep Medicaid active and reply to Medicaid mail right away

  3. Confirm your reassessment window with your Adult Services Worker as soon as the letter arrives

  4. Keep timesheets accurate and tidy in case the worker needs to review usage

  5. Submit everything requested in one complete packet and make copies for your records

For Medicaid renewal guidance read How to Maintain Medicaid Eligibility for the Michigan Home Help Program

What the renewal letter does not mean

The renewal letter does not mean your services are ending. It means MDHHS is updating your file to confirm that information and medical needs are current. As long as you respond by the due date and complete the reassessment your services continue without interruption.

If you cannot complete a step by the due date contact your Adult Services Worker immediately. In many cases they can offer next steps or provide a short grace period if you communicate early.

Seasonal tips for December renewals

December renewals can be tricky due to holiday closures and limited appointments. Plan ahead

  1. Book your DHS 54A appointment right away if your form expires soon

  2. Confirm your reassessment visit before office closures begin

  3. Submit pending timesheets and keep digital copies for your records

  4. Log into CHAMPS to confirm your caregiver enrollment is active and your contact information is current

If you need a refresher on enrollment read Understanding the CHAMPS System for the Michigan Home Help Program

Extra preparation for caregivers

Caregivers can speed up the renewal by keeping their own records clean and ready

  1. Maintain a simple calendar with days and hours worked

  2. Save weekly copies of submitted timesheets

  3. Keep notes about tasks that take more time now than last year

  4. Verify your bank and contact details with Care Plan Inc. if anything changed

  5. Make sure your CHAMPS profile is still active and that you can log in

If you need general tips on staying organized read How to Avoid Payment Delays in the Michigan Home Help Program

Quick checklist to print and use

  1. Open renewal letter and write down the due date

  2. Confirm active Medicaid and gather proof

  3. Schedule a new DHS 54A if needed and bring a blank copy to your doctor

  4. Prepare for your reassessment visit with identification medical updates and recent timesheets

  5. Submit all requested documents together and keep copies

  6. Read your new approval letter and confirm hours and service dates

  7. Verify caregiver enrollment and payment details with Care Plan Inc.

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 prepare for renewals, organize documents, and understand each step so pay continues without interruption. Once MDHHS approves hours we pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for the time they provide care.

For more help read How to Maintain Your Michigan Home Help Program Eligibility Year Round and How to Avoid Payment Delays in the Michigan Home Help Program

Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers across Michigan renew on time, stay compliant, and receive weekly pay for approved Home Help hours.

Check your eligibility or enter your information through the Contact form for inquiries.

Amal Ali
Next

How to Maintain Your Michigan Home Help Program Eligibility Year-Round