If you’ve been quietly wondering how to keep a parent or grandparent at home without breaking the bank, you’re not alone. Thousands of Connecticut families face the same question every year. The good news is that there’s a state-supported option many people never hear about: the Adult Family Living program, also known as AFL.
It’s one of the most practical, compassionate solutions available to Connecticut seniors, and if your family fits the criteria, it could completely change how you approach care.
What Is the Adult Family Living Program?
The Adult Family Living program is a Medicaid-funded initiative offered through Connecticut’s Department of Social Services (DSS). It helps frail elderly individuals remain living in private homes instead of moving into assisted living communities or nursing homes, by providing financial assistance and support for family members or friends who act as both primary caregivers and hosts. Medicaid Planning Assistance
Think of it as a structured, supported version of what many families are already doing informally. A loved one moves in with a family member or close friend, or the caregiver moves in with them. Care is delivered in a familiar, comfortable setting. And the person providing that care receives a tax-free stipend for their work.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services offers the AFL program as a service under the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) and the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Waiver.
It’s worth knowing that AFL isn’t a standalone benefit you can apply for on its own. Eligibility runs through one of those two programs, so understanding both is part of the process.
Who Is the Adult Family Living Program For?
AFL is designed for seniors who need meaningful support with daily living but don’t necessarily require round-the-clock medical care. It allows individuals aged 65 or older who need assistance with daily activities to receive care from a family member or friend in a home setting, rather than a facility.
If your parents have been struggling with things like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or getting around safely at home, and you’ve been the one stepping in to help, AFL may be exactly what your family needs. You can also read our guide on the signs your loved one may need home care to get a clearer picture of where your situation stands.
Senior Eligibility Requirements
For the senior receiving care, the main requirements are:
- Age 65 or older (or have a qualifying disability if under 65 through the PCA Waiver)
- Connecticut resident
- Demonstrated need for help with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, eating, or mobility
- At risk of nursing home placement without support
- Must meet financial eligibility criteria through CHCPE or Medicaid
For the Medicaid Waiver pathway, an individual’s income is limited to $2,829 a month, and assets are limited to $1,600. For the state-funded pathway, there is no income limit, but the asset limit is $46,242 for an individual or $61,656 for a married couple.
Because there are two funding tracks, some families who assume they won’t qualify based on income may actually still be eligible through the state-funded option. It’s always worth checking.
Caregiver Eligibility Requirements
The caregiver must be 18 years of age or older, can be a family relative or friend but not a spouse, and must live in the same home as the care recipient.
A background check is also part of the enrollment process. This is standard across the program and ensures the safety and wellbeing of the senior.
What Does the Caregiver Actually Do?
Care recipients receive personal care, supervision, and assistance with day-to-day activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, and mobility. They can also receive assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as transportation, shopping for essentials, and meal preparation.
In practice, this looks like what many devoted family members are already doing, just with formal structure, professional oversight, and financial recognition behind it.
The level of care required is assessed by the DSS through an in-home evaluation. That assessment determines the care category, which in turn determines the caregiver’s monthly stipend. Caregivers can receive up to $2,400 per month, tax-free, in financial support.
An intermediary agency provides training, ongoing support, and periodic nursing visits to both the caregiver and the senior throughout the arrangement.
How Does AFL Compare to Other Home Care Options?
AFL is a good fit when a family member or close friend is genuinely willing and able to be the primary caregiver, live in the same home, and take on that responsibility full time.
It’s different from traditional in-home care services for seniors, where a professional caregiver comes to the senior’s existing home and provides support on a scheduled or round-the-clock basis. Both approaches have real value, and many families find that one fits their situation better than the other.
If you’re weighing the options, our comparison of home care vs assisted living is a helpful place to start. It breaks down the key differences in a clear, practical way so you can think through what makes the most sense for your family.
AFL also differs from respite care, which is designed for short-term relief rather than an ongoing arrangement. If that’s something you’re exploring too, our article on how respite care works and when to use it walks through exactly how that works.
How to Apply for the Adult Family Living Program
The process starts with the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Here’s a general overview of the steps:
Step 1: Contact DSS
Call DSS at 1-800-445-5394 and select option 4 to ask about CHCPE eligibility and request a referral to the AFL program. You can also visit the DSS website directly to begin the process online.
Step 2: Complete a Needs Assessment
A DSS professional will conduct an in-home assessment to evaluate the senior’s functional and care needs. This determines eligibility and the level of care required.
Step 3: Work with an Approved Provider
Once approved, an intermediary agency is assigned to manage the arrangement. They handle caregiver training, scheduling of nursing visits, and stipend payments to the caregiver.
Step 4: Begin the Arrangement
The caregiver and senior move in together if they aren’t already, and the formal care arrangement begins. Payments are typically made biweekly and are tax-free.
Is AFL Right for Every Family?
The Adult Family Living program is a genuine lifeline for families where a willing caregiver is already in the picture and the senior wants to stay in a home environment. It combines emotional familiarity with financial support and professional oversight, which is a rare combination.
That said, it isn’t the right fit for every situation. If the senior needs skilled nursing care, or if no appropriate family member or friend is available to serve as a live-in caregiver, other options may be a better match. A professional home care arrangement, for example, can offer consistent, trained support without requiring a family member to take on the full caregiver role.
The most important thing is finding what works best for your loved one’s needs, your family’s capacity, and everyone’s peace of mind.
Thinking About the Next Step?
If you’re trying to figure out whether the Adult Family Living program is the right fit, or whether another type of support would serve your family better, we’re here to help. Our team understands the Connecticut care landscape and can help you think through your options.
Contact us to have a conversation about your loved one’s needs, or explore our services and service areas to learn more about what we offer across Connecticut.
You don’t have to figure all of this out alone.