Find out if your family qualifies
Eligibility for Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care comes down to a few clear things: MassHealth coverage, a real need for daily care, and a safe place to provide it. Here is exactly what that looks like — and how we confirm it with you.
Eligibility, in plain language
AFC and GAFC are MassHealth programs, which means qualifying is based on two things working together: the member’s MassHealth coverage and a documented need for daily, hands-on care. You do not pay out of pocket for covered services.
A registered nurse confirms the level of care during an in-home assessment, and a physician signs off on the member’s medical status. If that sounds like a lot, it isn’t — we walk you through each piece and handle the paperwork with MassHealth on your behalf.
The criteria below are the heart of it. Note that AFC and GAFC have different age and coverage rules — we break those out separately further down the page. Many families may qualify. Eligibility depends on MassHealth coverage, documented care needs, living arrangements, program rules, and any required authorization. Coverage and clinical eligibility are subject to MassHealth and health-plan verification.
What both programs have in common
Read through each one. If you're unsure about any, that's normal — it's exactly what our first conversation is for. Program-specific age and coverage rules follow below.
Massachusetts residency
The individual lives in Massachusetts in a qualifying private home or approved supportive setting.
MassHealth enrollment
The member is enrolled in an eligible MassHealth plan, or is eligible to enroll. We help verify this.
Daily care need
There is a documented need for physical assistance, cueing, or supervision with at least one activity of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, or medication reminders.
A suitable caregiver arrangement
For AFC, a qualified caregiver who lives with the member is able to provide care under nurse supervision. For GAFC, care is delivered by agency-employed aides with nurse oversight.
Physician sign-off
A physician confirms the individual's medical status and that the level of care is appropriate.
Age and coverage rules by program
These two MassHealth programs are often described together, but they do not share the same age threshold, coverage requirements, or caregiver arrangement. Check the column that matches your situation.
Adult Foster Care (AFC)
AFC may be available to MassHealth members age 16 or older who need physical assistance, cueing, or supervision with at least one activity of daily living and can live safely in a home with caregiver support.
- Age
- Age 16 or older
- Coverage
- Enrolled in an eligible MassHealth plan, or eligible to enroll
- Where care happens
- The member and the paid caregiver must live together in the member's or caregiver's private home
- Who provides care
- A qualified adult child, sibling, other relative, or trusted non-relative may serve as the paid caregiver. A spouse or legal guardian cannot serve as the paid AFC caregiver.
Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC)
GAFC may be available to adults age 22 or older who qualify for MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth, live in an eligible home setting, and need physical assistance, cueing, or supervision with at least one activity of daily living.
- Age
- Age 22 or older
- Coverage
- Qualifies for MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth
- Where care happens
- Lives in an eligible group or supportive housing setting, such as certain senior apartment communities
- Who provides care
- Personal care is delivered by agency-employed direct care workers with registered-nurse oversight, not by a live-in family caregiver.
Many families may qualify. Eligibility depends on MassHealth coverage, documented care needs, living arrangements, program rules, and any required authorization. Coverage and clinical eligibility are subject to MassHealth and health-plan verification. Final approval is not guaranteed.
Documents to have ready
You don't need every item to start a conversation, but gathering these ahead of time makes enrollment noticeably faster.
Please keep these to yourself for now. Have them on hand for your call or in-home visit, but do not include diagnoses, medications, Social Security numbers, MassHealth identification numbers, or other sensitive medical information in our web form, email, or general chat. We’ll collect those details through a secure channel once we speak.
- MassHealth ID
The member's MassHealth (Medicaid) card or ID number so we can verify the plan and coverage.
- Proof of Massachusetts residency
A recent utility bill, lease, or state ID showing the member lives in Massachusetts.
- Physician contact
The name and office number of the member's primary care provider for the medical sign-off.
- Current medication list
A simple list of prescriptions and dosages the member takes, so the nurse can plan safely.
- A note on daily needs
A few lines on where help is needed each day — bathing, dressing, mobility, meals, reminders.
Not sure if you qualify? We’ll check for you.
There is no wrong time to ask, and no cost to find out. Share a few details about your loved one and our care team will verify MassHealth eligibility and tell you honestly whether AFC or GAFC is a fit — usually in the same conversation.
Eligibility questions we hear most
A few quick answers before you reach out.
Let's confirm your eligibility together
We'll verify MassHealth coverage, review the care need, and map out your next steps — with no pressure and no cost to explore.
No cost to explore · No obligation · MassHealth-covered care