If you’re packing lunches in the morning and driving to your mom’s house after school pickup, you’re not alone. A lot of us are caring for our kids and our parents at the same time. It’s a lot of love. It’s also a lot of hours.
Many families don’t know this, but in some states you can get paid for the care you’re already giving a parent at home. If you live in Michigan or Maryland, Medicaid has programs that do exactly that.
What kind of care counts?
These programs pay for help with everyday tasks. Think about what you already do for your parent:
- Helping them bathe, dress or use the bathroom
- Getting them in and out of bed or a chair
- Making meals and helping them eat
- Light housework and laundry
- Picking up groceries and prescriptions
If your parent needs help with things like these and has Medicaid, or is close to qualifying, there’s a good chance you can be paid for that time.
How it works in Michigan
In Michigan, the main program is Home Help. It’s run by the state and paid for by Medicaid. Your parent needs to have Michigan Medicaid and need help with at least one daily task. A state worker visits the home to see what help is needed and approves a set number of hours.
There is no waiting list for Home Help. If your parent qualifies, they get it. It isn’t only for people with light needs, either. People with higher needs are covered too.
Some families get care through MI Coordinated Health instead. This is for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid and live in Wayne County, Macomb County, Southwest Michigan or the Upper Peninsula. A family gets one or the other, not both.
Adult children, other relatives, friends and neighbors can all be paid caregivers in Michigan. A spouse can’t be paid, and neither can a parent caring for their own child under 18.
How it works in Maryland
Maryland has two main programs. Community First Choice is for people who need help with two or more daily activities. CPAS is for people who need help with at least one. Both require full Maryland Medicaid.
Maryland is different from Michigan in one big way. Spouses can be paid caregivers. So if your dad is caring for your mom, he may be able to get paid for it. Adult children, friends and neighbors can be paid too. A parent can never be paid to care for their own child under 18.
A good place to start in Maryland is Maryland Access Point at 844-627-5465. A nurse will do an assessment to confirm the care your parent needs.
What does it pay?
Through a home care agency in both states, caregivers in Michigan may earn $18 or more per hour. In Maryland, caregivers earn $15 to $18 per hour.
From your first call to your first paycheck usually takes about 45 to 60 days.
Why some families use an agency
You can apply for Michigan Home Help on your own. Some families do. The paperwork is where most people get stuck. There are forms for the application, a medical form your parent’s doctor fills out, a home visit, and then provider enrollment before anyone gets paid. A mistake at any step can mean weeks of waiting.
An agency handles that part with you, helps with the paperwork, pays caregivers every two weeks by direct deposit, and gives you an app to clock in and out. In Maryland, caregivers have to work through a licensed agency, so you’ll need one either way.
If you want to see the full steps, here’s a guide on how to get paid to care for a family member.
You’re already doing the work
Caring for a parent while raising kids takes time you could be spending at a job. Getting paid won’t make it easier on your back. It can make it easier on your budget. If your parent is on Medicaid in Michigan or Maryland, it’s worth a phone call to find out.
