4 Financial Support Programs for Caregivers
Caregiving is a labor of love, but it can also bring financial strain. Don’t worry – there are plenty of organizations and programs dedicated to supporting caregivers like you. Here are four resources you could explore for financial support for caregiving.
1. Adult Family Care (AFC)
Adult Family Care (AFC), also called Adult Foster Care, is a state-funded program helping older adults and people with disabilities receive personalized care while remaining in their place of choice. Through MassHealth, a caregiver receives a stipend of up to $1,500 per month to help cover the cost of care services. The caregiver also receives a wealth of information and support, such as case management, caregiver training, and referrals to care programs.
To participate in the AFC program, care recipients must be at least 16 years old and eligible to receive MassHealth (Standard or CommonHealth). Although caregivers are often family members, an AFC program caregiver cannot be a spouse or legal guardian.
If you’re a caregiver for a close friend or family member, you may qualify for the AFC program. To learn more about eligibility for AFC, contact Boston Senior Home Care by clicking the button below.
2. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Workplaces understand that employees are more focused at work when they’re happy, healthy, and financially stable. That’s why some employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides counseling and resources to help employees with personal matters – at no cost.
For working caregivers, EAPs can be an invaluable and easily-accessible resource for all types of caregiver-related matters such as:
- Anxiety and stress
- Financial planning
- Legal counseling
- Family counseling
- Dependent care services
- Substance use
- Work-life balance
Not all employers have an EAP, and the specific supports offered by an EAP varies by the workplace. Reach out to your employer or HR department to see what supports your EAP can offer you.
3. SNAP Benefits
Though grocery costs may be rising, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help offset the strain and provide more access to healthy foods. Formerly called food stamps, SNAP provides monthly funds through an EBT card that can be used to buy food. Plus, SNAP also provides access to free nutrition education classes, Path to Work education and training opportunities, and connections to other kinds of help such as utility discounts and free school meals.
To learn more, visit the Commonwealth’s webpage for SNAP benefits, or click here to take the program’s 10-second SNAP screening questionnaire.
4. FMLA/PFML for Caregivers
In Massachusetts, employees are entitled to protected leave and temporary wage replacement during family emergencies. The Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MA PFML) and federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) together ensure that a working caregiver can take up to 26 weeks of paid leave per year in qualifying family events, such as:
- A family member’s unexpected health emergency or worsening health condition
- Bonding with a new child, adopted or otherwise
- Managing affairs for an active-duty family member’s deployment
To learn more about your family leave rights as a caregiver, visit the Commonwealth’s page for Paid Family and Medical Leave in Massachusetts.