Adult Family Care (AFC) is a MassHealth program that helps individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions live in the community with related or non-related families by offering financial assistance and support services.

Participants and caregivers are assessed for eligibility according to MassHealth regulations. The JF&CS AFC program is unique because we are able to reimburse at a higher rate than most other AFC agencies. We also offer a range of other services to help ensure access to available public benefits and resources.

  • People needing assistance with care maintain as much independence as possible with a stable family life in the community.
  • The caregiver receives a tax-free stipend of up to $10,500 to $21,170 annually through the JF&CS AFC program.
  • Caregivers receive comprehensive orientation and ongoing training and support, both in-person and online, to meet the needs of the persons living with them.
  • Registered nurses and case managers offer ongoing education, resource access, advocacy, and healthcare oversight through monthly or bi-monthly home visits, phone consultations, and 24/7 on-call emergency support.
  • Assistance applying to the Section 8 Choice Mobile Voucher Program
  • Guidance applying for a variety of state benefits, such as Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Massachusetts Rehabilitation Services (MRC), SNAP food stamps, and transportation (the MBTA RIDE)
  • Referral to an outside partner consultant to assist with SSI/SSDI Benefit application
  • Help identifying other community resources, such as social programming, day and employment supports, and future residential housing options
  • Insight about the process of relinquishing guardianship so the family member can become a paid caregiver
  • Insight about the current and future role of the adult sibling of the AFC client
  • Must have MassHealth Standard or Common Health insurance
  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Must have a medical, physical, or developmental disability and need supervision, assistance, or cueing with at least one basic task of everyday life, such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring
  • Must have a written order for AFC service from a primary care physician
  • Must be able to be safely cared for in the home
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Can be biologically related to the person needing care (a parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc.) but cannot be the legal guardian or spouse of the AFC client
  • Must be willing to share life and home with the person needing assistance
  • Must accept responsibility for the person’s care and supervision of all health-related activities

Eligibility determination begins with a phone interview and entails home visits, doctor’s orders for AFC, and an application, evaluation, and assessment. We can help a family member or friend become an official AFC caregiver. We will assist you throughout the application process, and work with your doctor's office to get the necessary paperwork, so that it is as easy for you as possible.

We recently surveyed participants and caregivers to ensure that the AFC program was providing high-quality services, to check that clients were satisfied with the services that they received, and to seek feedback on further support needs. We are excited to share the results of the 2024 survey with you! You can also read the 2023 survey.

For more information, contact our Disability Resource Network at 781-693-5640 or email your questions to drn@jfcsboston.org.