Family Caregiver Support Program¶
Massachusetts provides free caregiver information, care planning, counseling, training, referrals, and respite support through a Caregiver Specialist.
A Caregiver Specialist helps qualifying family members and other unpaid caregivers make a care plan. Services include free information, referrals, counseling, training, and respite support. Different age and relationship rules apply to each eligibility path.
Some details for this program are still being verified. Check the official source for the most current information.
Eligibility¶
- Applicant age: at least 18
Questions to ask the program¶
These are questions to ask the program, not a verdict on your eligibility. Confirm the current rules directly with the program.
- Does the person receiving care live in Massachusetts? — Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
What this record does not yet say¶
- income rules
- relationship and dementia paths not fully represented
- local service capacity
- required documents
- decision timeline
- current agency registry name
- authority funding relationship
Services¶
A Caregiver Specialist helps qualifying family members and other unpaid caregivers make a care plan. Services include free information, referrals, counseling, training, and respite support. Different age and relationship rules apply to each eligibility path.
How to apply¶
- Call MassOptions at 800-243-4636 to speak with a local Caregiver Specialist. Ask the specialist to review the applicable age, relationship, and care-recipient rules.
Use the official program page for application details: official program page.
Published eligibility paths¶
- An adult family member or other unpaid caregiver must be at least 18 and care for someone age 60 or older, or someone of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. [Massachusetts AGE]
- A grandparent or other relative, excluding a parent, must be at least 55 and care for a child under 18. [Massachusetts AGE]
- A grandparent or other relative, including a parent, must be at least 55 and care for an adult with a disability age 18 through 59. [Massachusetts AGE]