Caregiving · MA
Massachusetts Medicaid home care waivers, including paying a family caregiver
Home and community-based care in Massachusetts, and who to call to get on the list.
Written and checked by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
What this program is, in plain English
Massachusetts Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers in Massachusetts pay for care at home rather than in a nursing home: personal care aides, adult day programs, respite for the family, home changes like grab bars and ramps, and meals. MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services decides these cases. Many states also run a self-directed option, where the person receiving care chooses their own aide and a family member other than a spouse can be hired and paid. Waiting lists are common, so ask to be screened and put on the list the same day you call, even if you are not sure you qualify yet.
Who qualifies
- You are 60 or older.
- Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
What to have ready
- Photo ID for everyone in the household
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of all income for the last 30 days
- Proof of address, such as a lease or a utility bill
- A list of every medicine, doctor, and diagnosis
- Bank statements, deeds, and any trust or life insurance papers
- Notes on what help is needed each day: bathing, dressing, meals, medicines
How to apply
This program is run by MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Processing times vary by state.
We are not a government agency. These links go straight to the agency that runs the program. Applying is always free.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
Report something wrong on this page
Sources
- Program page — mass.gov
- MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services — mass.gov
- Legal authority: 42 U.S.C. 1396n(c) (Section 1915(c) home and community-based waivers)
Checked February 18, 2026 by Jason Burns (Agency URL is a real state page behind a bot shield; it answered with a block, not a missing page.). Licensed under the Citation License 1.0.
Related programs
- Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services, Including Paying a Family CaregiverMedicaid can pay for help at home instead of a nursing home, and in most states it can pay your own family member to give that help.
- PACE: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyOne program that becomes your entire medical and home care team so you can stay out of a nursing home.
- National Family Caregiver Support ProgramRespite, training, counseling, and sometimes small grants for the family member doing the caring.
- GUIDE Model for Dementia CareA Medicare program for people with dementia that assigns a care navigator and pays for respite.
Not sure if this one is for you?
The free screener checks you against every program at once. It takes about two minutes and never asks for your name or phone number.
Start the free screener