How to Report Changes That Affect Your Michigan Home Help Eligibility
If you are part of the Michigan Home Help Program, it’s important to report any changes that may affect your eligibility. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requires participants to keep their information current so services and payments continue without interruption.
Care Plan Inc. helps Michigan caregivers stay compliant and understand which changes need to be reported. Once MDHHS approves hours, we pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for the care they provide.
Why Reporting Changes Matters
The Home Help Program is reviewed regularly by MDHHS to make sure care recipients still qualify for services and that caregivers are paid correctly. Reporting changes keeps your case up to date and prevents issues like payment holds or case closure.
When MDHHS learns about a change from another source before it’s reported, your case may be flagged for review. Reporting changes directly to your caseworker ensures accuracy and keeps your approval active.
What Kinds of Changes Must Be Reported
You should report any change that affects your care, income, or living situation. Below are examples of changes that must be shared with MDHHS right away:
New address or phone number
Change in caregiver or relationship to caregiver
Changes to medical condition or doctor’s care plan
Medicaid coverage changes or renewal updates
Hospitalization, rehabilitation, or long-term care admission
Changes in household size or income
New employment or benefits
Death of a household member or care recipient
If you are unsure whether a change affects your case, it’s always safer to report it.
Learn what information to update in How to Update Your Information with MDHHS for the Home Help Program
How to Report Changes
You can report changes in several ways depending on what needs to be updated. The most common options include:
Phone: Call your local MDHHS office and ask to speak with your Adult Services Worker, often called an ASW.
Mail: Write a letter including your case number, the type of change, and your signature.
Online: Use your MI Bridges account to report address or contact information updates.
In Person: Visit your MDHHS office if your change involves new forms or medical documentation.
Always keep copies of anything you submit and note the date you reported the change.
Learn how ASW visits work in How to Prepare for Your First Michigan Home Help Visit
When to Report a Change
Changes should be reported as soon as possible, ideally within ten days of when they occur.
For example, if a care recipient is hospitalized or moves to a new address, letting MDHHS know right away helps prevent gaps in approval or payments.
Delaying a report can result in temporary suspension or repayment if MDHHS continues paying for unapproved care.
What Happens After You Report a Change
After you report a change, your ASW will review your case to determine if any updates are needed to your care plan or approval.
For example:
If a caregiver changes, the new caregiver will need to register in CHAMPS before payments begin.
If a care recipient’s health improves or declines, MDHHS may request a new DHS-54A Medical Needs Form.
If your Medicaid coverage changes, your case may pause until eligibility is confirmed.
Once all information is verified, services and payments will continue as usual.
Learn how to manage medical forms in How to Update or Replace Your DHS-54A Medical Needs Form – https://www.michiganhomehelp.org/blog/update-replace-dhs-54a-medical-needs-form
What Happens If You Don’t Report Changes
Failing to report a change can cause serious problems with your case. If MDHHS finds out later that your situation changed, they may suspend your services or require repayment for any payments made during an ineligible period.
For example, if a care recipient moves to a facility but the caregiver continues submitting timesheets, MDHHS can request repayment for that time.
Reporting updates promptly prevents these issues and keeps both caregivers and care recipients protected.
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 caregivers understand when and how to report changes correctly.
We also help caregivers stay organized, maintain eligibility, and receive weekly pay for approved hours through the Michigan Home Help Program.
We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for the time they provide care once MDHHS approves the hours.
Read How to Renew Your Michigan Home Help Program Approval and How to Avoid Payment Delays in the Michigan Home Help Program
Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers across Michigan stay informed, compliant, and paid weekly for approved Home Help hours.
Check your eligibility or enter your information through the Contact form for inquiries.