MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY CHECK

The checker above asks a few short questions about your loved one’s age, income, assets, Michigan residency and the daily tasks they need help with. It compares your answers with the Medicaid eligibility rules Michigan uses for Home Help and the MI Choice Waiver and tells you which program is the likely fit. It takes about two minutes and nothing is submitted to the state.

On this page

1. What is the Michigan Medicaid income limit in 2026?
2. What is the Michigan Medicaid asset limit?
3. What if my parent is over the Medicaid income or asset limit?
4. Do you also need a functional need to qualify?
5. How do you apply for Medicaid in Michigan through MI Bridges?
6. Who we help
7. Frequently asked questions

What is the Michigan Medicaid income limit in 2026?

Michigan has more than one Medicaid category, and each has its own income limit. The two that matter for paid home care are the aged, blind and disabled (ABD) category that Home Help uses and the special income limit that the MI Choice Waiver uses. All figures below are monthly, as of 2026, and should be confirmed with MDHHS before you rely on them.

Program	Single applicant	Married couple (both applying)	How the limit is set
Home Help (ABD Medicaid)	About $1,330 per month	About $1,800 per month	Tied to 100% of the federal poverty level; adjusts each year
MI Choice Waiver	About $2,982 per month	About $2,982 per month each	Tied to 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate; adjusts each January
Healthy Michigan Plan (adults 19 to 64)	About $1,835 per month	About $2,480 per month	Tied to 138% of the federal poverty level

Countable income includes Social Security, pensions, wages and most other regular payments. Some income is disregarded, and a person whose income is slightly over the Home Help limit may still qualify through a monthly deductible called a spend-down.

What is the Michigan Medicaid asset limit?

Assets, sometimes called resources, are counted separately from income. Michigan looks at bank accounts, investments, cash value of some life insurance and property other than the home you live in.

Program	Single applicant	Married couple	Notes
Home Help (ABD Medicaid)	About $2,000	About $3,000	Home, one vehicle and personal belongings are usually exempt
MI Choice Waiver	About $2,000	Community spouse may keep up to $157,920	Spousal impoverishment protections apply when only one spouse needs care
Healthy Michigan Plan	No asset test	No asset test	Income only

Michigan also applies a five-year look-back for MI Choice. Assets given away during that window can trigger a penalty period, so talk to us or an elder-law attorney before transferring anything.

What if my parent is over the Medicaid income or asset limit?

Being over the limit is common and often fixable. Depending on the program, these options may apply:

• Spend-down (deductible). For Home Help, Michigan lets an applicant with excess income qualify once medical expenses each month bring countable income under the limit.
• Qualified Income Trust (Miller trust). For MI Choice, income above the limit can be routed into a special trust so the applicant still meets the test.
• Spousal impoverishment rules. When one spouse needs care, the other can keep a protected share of income and assets.
• Spending assets on exempt items. Paying off the mortgage, prepaying a funeral or making home accessibility repairs can lower countable assets legally.
• Private pay while you apply. Care can begin under private pay and switch to Medicaid once approved.

Our post on Michigan Medicaid income and asset limits for home care goes deeper on each strategy.

Do you also need a functional need to qualify?

Yes. Meeting the financial limits gets your loved one Medicaid, but paid home care also requires a functional need. For Home Help, an MDHHS adult services worker assesses whether they need hands-on help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, transferring and mobility, plus instrumental tasks like meals, laundry, shopping and medication reminders.

The MI Choice Waiver requires a nursing-facility level of care, meaning the person would otherwise qualify for a nursing home. Learn more on our Michigan Home Help program and MI Choice Waiver pages.

How do you apply for Medicaid in Michigan through MI Bridges?

MI Bridges is the MDHHS online portal for Medicaid and other benefits. Here is the process we walk families through.

1. Gather documents. Photo ID, Social Security number, proof of Michigan address, proof of income (Social Security letter, pay stubs, pension statements) and recent bank statements for all accounts.
2. Create a MI Bridges account. Go to the MI Bridges site, register with an email address and answer the identity questions. A family member can apply on a loved one’s behalf as an authorized representative.
3. Complete the healthcare coverage application. Enter household members, income, assets and any disability or age details. Answer every question; blanks cause delays.
4. Upload verification. Attach the documents you gathered directly in MI Bridges, or take them to your local MDHHS office.
5. Respond to MDHHS requests. A caseworker may ask for more proof. Respond by the deadline on the notice or the case can be denied.
6. Get your decision and request Home Help. Once Medicaid is active, ask the local MDHHS office for a Home Help assessment. We can make that call with you.

The full walkthrough, with screenshots described step by step, is in our guide to applying for Medicaid in Michigan through MI Bridges. If a family member will be the paid caregiver, they can start their own enrollment on our become a paid caregiver page at the same time.

Who we help

Supportive Solutions Homecare serves Michigan families in Detroit, Dearborn, Warren, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids. Our team speaks English, Arabic and Spanish, and we reply to every inquiry within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Michigan Medicaid income limit in 2026?

It depends on the category. As of 2026, the aged, blind and disabled category used for Home Help is tied to 100% of the federal poverty level, about $1,330 a month for one person. The MI Choice Waiver allows up to 300% of the SSI rate, about $2,982 a month. Confirm current figures with MDHHS.

How do I check if my loved one is eligible before applying?

Use the free checker at the top of this page. Answer questions about age, residency, monthly income, assets and daily-task needs, and it tells you whether Home Help or MI Choice is the likely match. Then call Supportive Solutions and we will review the answers with you, spot any issues and help you apply.

What if my parent is over the Medicaid income or asset limit?

They may still qualify. Home Help allows a monthly spend-down for excess income, MI Choice allows a Qualified Income Trust, and spousal impoverishment rules protect a healthy spouse’s income and assets. Spending down on exempt items such as home repairs or a prepaid funeral can also help. We will explain which option fits before you apply.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Michigan?

Apply online through MI Bridges, the MDHHS portal, or in person at your local MDHHS office. You will need ID, proof of income, bank statements and proof of Michigan residency. After approval, request a Home Help assessment so paid home care can be authorized. Supportive Solutions helps you complete the application and follows up on any requests.

Does my loved one need Medicaid before Home Help can start?

Yes. Home Help is a Medicaid benefit, so active Michigan Medicaid is required before MDHHS will authorize paid hours. If your loved one is not yet enrolled, apply through MI Bridges first, then request the Home Help assessment. We can start preparing the caregiver’s CHAMPS enrollment while the Medicaid application is pending.

Is Medicaid eligibility different for the MI Choice Waiver?

Yes. MI Choice uses a higher income limit than Home Help but requires a nursing-facility level of care and has a look-back period on asset transfers. Applications go through your regional Area Agency on Aging or waiver agent rather than only MDHHS. Our MI Choice Waiver page explains the differences.