How to Read and Understand Your Michigan Home Help Approval Letter

After applying or renewing for the Michigan Home Help Program, you will receive an approval letter from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). This letter confirms your eligibility, lists your approved hours, and explains how your care plan will move forward.

Many families find the letter confusing the first time they read it. Knowing how to interpret each section helps you understand what to expect and how your caregiver’s payment is determined.

Care Plan Inc. helps Michigan caregivers understand their approval letters and manage their enrollment once hours are approved. We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly after MDHHS confirms the approved care hours.

What the Approval Letter Includes

The approval letter contains several key sections. Each one has specific information about your Home Help case.

Case Details
This section lists your case number, the date of approval, and the period for which services are authorized. It confirms that you are active in the Home Help Program.

Eligibility Status
MDHHS will confirm that you have active Medicaid and are eligible for in-home support. If Medicaid coverage lapses, payments cannot continue until it is restored.

Approved Care Hours
This section lists the number of hours per month that have been approved for your care. The total hours are based on your medical needs and the information provided on your DHS-54A Medical Needs Form

Service Start Date
The letter includes the date when services can begin or resume. Care provided before this date cannot be paid through the program.

Care Plan Tasks
This section describes the types of assistance that have been approved, such as personal care, meal preparation, or housekeeping. These tasks are determined during your Adult Services Worker visit. Read more about that process in Adult Services Worker Visit

Worker or Agency Details
If you have a caregiver through Care Plan Inc., our agency information will appear in this section. This confirms that Care Plan Inc. is responsible for processing your caregiver’s timesheets and payments.

How to Confirm Your Hours

Care Plan Inc. uses the number of hours listed in your approval letter to process payments. Once MDHHS finalizes the hours, caregivers are paid $17 or more per hour weekly.

If you believe the hours listed in your letter are incorrect, review your DHS-54A form and contact your Adult Services Worker. Sometimes, missing medical documentation can lead to fewer approved hours.

If an error occurred, you can request a review or file an appeal. Learn how in Appeal a Denial for the Home Help Program

How to Track Renewal Dates

Your approval letter also lists when your case will be reviewed again. Most Home Help cases renew annually, but MDHHS can reassess sooner if health conditions change.

Mark this date on your calendar to avoid missing your next reassessment. Submitting updated forms early helps prevent delays in care or pay.

Read about reassessments in What to Expect During Your Michigan Home Help Reassessment

What Happens if You Receive a Denial Letter Instead

If MDHHS sends a denial letter, review the reason listed. Common causes include missing medical forms, inactive Medicaid coverage, or unverified care hours.

Once the issue is resolved, you can reapply without starting from the beginning. If you disagree with the decision, file an appeal as soon as possible.

Learn more in Common Mistakes When Reapplying for the Michigan Home Help Program

How Care Plan Inc. Supports You

Care Plan Inc. is not part of MDHHS and does not decide who qualifies or how many hours are approved. Our agency helps caregivers understand their approval letters, track their hours, and manage payments once services begin.

We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for approved hours through the Michigan Home Help Program. Our team helps families stay compliant, organized, and informed throughout the process.

Care Plan Inc. is committed to helping Michigan caregivers succeed in the Home Help Program with confidence and accuracy.

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