During the Home Help Audit performed by the State of Michigan in 2004, there was a finding regarding Home Help Providers and Unemployment. A random test of Providers who were drawing unemployment benefits was performed, and several were found to be working and not reporting their earnings, as required by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). Since the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) pays the Unemployment expenses as well as the wages for Providers, these individuals were being paid twice, using dollars which should be used for the Home Help Program.

MDCH contracted with the QC3 to address this finding. A project began in which Home Help Providers who are drawing unemployment and had earnings are checked to see if they reported their earnings to UIA.

The QC3 sends a letter to Home Help Providers outlining how to report their earnings to UIA, and serves as a resource for them in this regard. Home Help Providers only receive payment once a month which can make reporting difficult.

Secondly, the QC3 determines which Providers should be protested to the UIA. The protests lead to restitution, a repayment to MDCH.

                          *Amount is Paid by MDCH and is net of Restitution credited.