Adult Family Care

What is Adult Family Care (AFC)?

Adult Family Care (AFC) is a MassHealth-funded program that Massbay Adult Foster Care is proud to participate in. This program supports caregivers in providing personalized care in a home setting to eligible AFC members. Offering an alternative to Personal Care Assistance (PCA), AFC enables family or non-family members to care for a loved one in their home. This includes parents, siblings, and other relatives who can receive compensation for assisting a family member with their personal care needs.

Eligibility Requirements for AFC Members

To qualify for our Adult Family Care program, potential members must meet the following criteria:

• Enrollment in MassHealth, either CommonHealth or Standard
• At least 16 years of age
• Need assistance (including supervision and verbal cueing) with one or more activities of daily living, such as dressing, toileting, bathing, eating, and transferring. Behavioral support is also considered.
• Must reside in the same home as the caregiver.
• No specific income eligibility requirements.

Who Can Be a Caregiver?

Caregivers in our AFC program can be:

• A family member (mother, father, sibling, etc.) or a non-family member.
• Not a legal guardian or spouse of the AFC member.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Willing to live with the AFC member.
• Able to pass a background check.

Caregiver Stipends

Caregivers receive a tax-free stipend for the care they provide, which is not considered income and does not require issuing a Form 1099. The stipend amount varies based on the AFC member’s care needs, determined through two levels:

• Level 1: Approximately $9,000 per year, tax-free.
• Level 2: Approximately $18,000 per year, tax-free. A Registered Nurse assesses the level of need for each AFC member.

AFC and the DESE/DDS Program

AFC funding recipients can also participate in the DESE/DDS Program. However, those receiving AFC stipends might see adjustments in their DESE/DDS allocation. AFC families should note that respite is not an allowable service under this program, and reimbursement categories are limited to educational materials, community integration activities, and community outings.

Becoming an Adult Foster Care Provider in Massachusetts

To become an AFC provider, specific requirements set by MassHealth must be met, including a contractual agreement. For detailed information on support offerings, requirements, and payments, interested individuals or families should contact the Massachusetts Council for Adult Foster Care.

AFC Providers List

This Provider List, which can be sorted by provider name or city, is available for reference. This list ensures you can find the right support within your community.