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Getting paid to care for a family member in New York

Yes. In New York, a family member can be paid to give care through Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). A spouse cannot be paid through this program.

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Medicaid self-directed care

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)

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Program status

Public Partnership LLC (PPL) is the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary for CDPAP. All CDPAP recipients are required to work with PPL, which processes the personal assistant's wages, benefits and tax withholdings and keeps the employment records.

Source: Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) (New York State Department of Health)Checked

Who qualifies

People who are eligible for New York State Medicaid, have a stable medical condition, have a need for home care services determined with a state-approved assessment tool, meet the Minimum Needs Requirements if 21 or older, and can direct their own care or have a designated representative who makes decisions for them.

The Minimum Needs Requirements apply to assessments on or after September 1, 2025: you must need at least limited help with physical maneuvering in more than two activities of daily living, or, with a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, at least supervision with more than one. People already authorized or receiving services on September 1, 2025 stay under the earlier rules.

Source: Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) (New York State Department of Health)Checked

Can a family member be paid

Yes. Yes. You can choose and hire your own personal assistant, including a friend or family member, as long as they are not your spouse, your designated representative, or the parent of a CDPAP consumer under 21.

You or your designated representative recruit, hire, train, supervise and if needed let go of personal assistants, and arrange backup coverage.

Source: Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) (New York State Department of Health)Checked

Can a spouse be paid

No. No. A personal assistant cannot be the Medicaid member's spouse.

Source: Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) (New York State Department of Health)Checked

How to apply

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)

How to apply

Your need for home care is set by an assessment. For a first assessment, the New York Independent Assessor Program (NYIAP) sends you an outcome notice with next steps: contact your Local Department of Social Services to finish care planning and get services authorized, or contact NYIAP if you may be eligible to enroll in a Managed Long Term Care plan. If you are in a Medicaid managed care plan, your plan or your Local Department of Social Services can help with CDPAP.

The managed care plan and Local Department of Social Services contacts are on the Department of Health's CDPAP page.

Source: 25 OHIP/ADM-03: New Minimum Needs Requirements for Personal Care Services (PCS) and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) Eligibility (New York State Department of Health, June 30, 2025, revised August 22, 2025)Checked

Phone

1-833-247-5346

Public Partnership LLC (PPL), for all questions about CDPAP and the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary. If you still need help after contacting PPL and your plan or LDSS, call the Department at 1-866-712-7197 (managed care members) or 518-474-5888 (not in a managed care plan).

Source: Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) (New York State Department of Health)Checked

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