The Massachusetts Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF) was established by legislation in 2000 to help families bear the excessive financial burdens associated with the care of children with special health care needs and disabilities. It provides financial assistance for Massachusetts families with children experiencing a medical condition requiring services that are not covered by a private insurer, federal or state health care assistance, or any other financial source.

The Fund is designed to act as a safety net for families from all walks of life who have excessive expenses related to a child's medical needs. The family may be responsible for these expenses due to:

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  A lack of insurance or dependent coverage,

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  Expenses that exceed the maximum benefit allowed by their insurance company, or

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  Pre-existing conditions, co-payments, and other expenses that are uncovered by insurance.

The Massachusetts Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund defines any illness as catastrophic based on eligible expenses in relationship to the family's income.

Only expenses for which the family is directly responsible as a result of the child's medical condition may be considered for payment or reimbursement. For example, expenses covered by health or other insurance cannot by included in the calculation of total eligible expenses.

The CICRF Commission can either directly pay the bills owed to medical providers or other vendors, or reimburse the family directly for bills already paid.

Payments made to the family from CICRF, for reimbursement of expenses paid are “medical services”, and are not income in accordance with SI 00815.050A. Though not income, payments from CICRF for reimbursement of expenses are resources and, if retained, are subject to resource counting rules as of the first moment of the month following receipt. See SI 01120.110B.2.

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  Medical or social services as income, SI 00815.050A

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  Resources resulting from receipt of cash, SI 01120.110B.2.