MassHealth Adult Foster Care (AFC) Program in Massachusetts
Gifted Hands Homecare helps eligible individuals receive daily personal care support through the Adult Foster Care (AFC) program in Massachusetts, so they can remain safe, comfortable, and supported at home.
See If You Qualify
Takes less than 2 minutes. No commitment.
Free eligibility review · DSS-Authorized Provider
Up to $1,600/Month
In many cases, a family member or close friend can qualify as a paid caregiver and receive up to $1,600 per month through MassHealth at no cost to your family.
Registered Nurse Oversight
Each care plan is developed with input from registered nurses and case managers, ensuring the care recipient's needs are met while reducing the caregiver's stress.
Full Enrollment Support
We guide you through every document and requirement so nothing stalls the process — and we stay involved long after enrollment begins.
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When a Loved One Needs Daily Help at Home
What Is the Paid Family Caregiver Program in Connecticut for Seniors?
Caring for a loved one at home is one of the most demanding things a family can take on, and it should not mean doing it without support.
The MassHealth Adult Foster Care program helps Massachusetts families provide safe, compassionate care at home while ensuring the caregiver receives the guidance, resources, and financial support they need. In many cases, a family member or close friend can qualify as a paid caregiver and receive up to $1,600 per month.
At Gifted Hands Homecare, we walk you through every step from eligibility to enrollment and beyond.
Program Overview
What Is the MassHealth Adult Foster Care Program?
The MassHealth Adult Foster Care program is a Massachusetts state-funded program that allows adults who need daily support to receive personalized care at home rather than moving into a nursing facility. The caregiver and care recipient share a home, and the state pays the caregiver for the around-the-clock personal care and support they provide.
Also known as the Adult Family Care Massachusetts program, AFC is funded entirely through MassHealth at no out-of-pocket cost to qualifying families. Each care plan is developed with input from a professional team including registered nurses and case managers, ensuring the care recipient’s needs are met while reducing the caregiver’s stress.
For many Massachusetts families, AFC makes it possible to keep a loved one safely at home with someone they already know and trust while receiving structured, professional support every step of the way.
MA Requirements
Who Qualifies for the MassHealth Adult Foster Care Program?
AFC eligibility in Massachusetts is straightforward for most families. Here is what each person needs to qualify.
The Member (Person Receiving Care)
- 16 years of age or older
- Enrolled in MassHealth
- Requires daily assistance with personal care due to age, disability, or chronic illness
- Lives with the caregiver in a shared home
The Caregiver
- 18 years of age or older
- Lives with the care recipient
- A family member or close friend, not a spouse or legal guardian
- No professional caregiving experience required
- Must enroll with a MassHealth approved provider
Not sure if your situation qualifies? We will walk you through it at no cost.
Compensation
How Much Does the AFC Caregiver Stipend Pay in Massachusetts?
The AFC caregiver stipend in Massachusetts is determined by the level of care your loved one needs, assessed by a registered nurse before enrollment begins.
Level 1
Up to $800/month
Level 2
Up to $1,600/month
For individuals who need intensive hands-on assistance with three or more daily activities, or two activities combined with behavioral support such as managing memory-related conditions or cognitive challenges.
Your loved one’s level is determined through a clinical assessment, not self-reported. Our team will walk you through what to expect before the process begins.
Daily Responsibilities
What Does an AFC Caregiver Do Day to Day?
AFC caregivers are not visiting professionals who come and go on a schedule. They live with the person they care for, providing consistent, around the clock support as part of daily home life. It is a full-time commitment rooted in relationship, not a clinical arrangement, and for many families, that is exactly what makes it work.
Day to day, an AFC caregiver typically helps with
5 Steps to Care
How to Enroll in the Adult Family Care Program in Massachusetts
Getting started is simpler than most families expect. Here is how the process works from first contact to first day of care.
01
Contact Gifted Hands Homecare
Reach out and we will answer your questions and confirm whether AFC is the right fit for your family. No paperwork yet, just a conversation.
02
Eligibility Screening
We review the basic requirements for both the person receiving care and the caregiver to confirm you qualify before moving forward.
03
Clinical Assessment
A registered nurse visits the home to evaluate your loved one’s daily needs and determine whether Level 1 or Level 2 care applies.
04
Documentation & Background Checks
The caregiver completes the necessary background screening and training requirements.
05
Approval and Start of Care
Once approved, the caregiver begins providing care and receiving their monthly stipend.
Not yet enrolled in Masshealth? We will help with that too.
Ready to Get Started with AFC?
Free eligibility review. No commitment. We handle everything from here.
Why Gifted Hands
What You Get When You Choose Gifted Hands Homecare for AFC
Enrolling in AFC involves more steps than most families expect. Our job is to make sure none of those steps feel confusing, rushed, or lonely.
For the Caregiver
- We help you understand the Level 1 and Level 2 assessment before it happens so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare
- We guide you through every document and requirement so nothing stalls the process
- We help families not yet enrolled in MassHealth get there first before anything else moves forward
- We stay involved long after enrollment, adjusting care plans and remaining available when questions about payments or program changes come up
For the member (Person Receiving Care)
- You receive care from someone you already know and trust, in the comfort of your own home
- Your care plan is built around your specific needs, reviewed regularly and updated as those needs change
- A registered nurse monitors your wellbeing consistently, not just at enrollment
- Your dignity, independence, and comfort remain the priority throughout
From your first conversation with us to long after care begins, we are with you every step of the way.
Testimonials
What Families Are Saying
Families across Connecticut trust Gifted Hands Homecare to guide them through the process with compassion, clarity, and consistent support.
"Gifted Hands made the process so easy."
They guided us through every step and helped us start care quickly and confidently.
Maria R
"The care was respectful and professional."
My loved one felt comfortable at home, and we felt supported the entire time.
James T
"Reliable help we can truly count on."
The caregivers are kind, consistent, and always show up with compassion.
Angela P.
"Peace of mind for our whole family."
David L.
FAQs
Questions About MassHealth's Adult Foster Care Program
Does the ACF caregiver have to be a family member?
What happens if the caregiver gets sick or needs a break?
Does ACF cover individuals with cognitive conditions like dementia or Alzheimers?
Can the care recipient move into the caregiver's home or does it have to be the other way around?
Can a parent get paid to care for an adult child through AGC?
Are there any requirements for the home itself?
Ready to Get Started with AFC?
Your loved one deserves to be cared for by someone who already knows them, loves them, and shows up every single day. That kind of care should not go unsupported.
Let us help you make it official.