The New York caregiver program
New York pays family members to care for a relative at home through CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program). Here is what it is called, who can be paid, what it pays, and how to get in.
New York at a glance
- Programs
- 1
- Reported pay
- $18.65–$20.65/hr
- Spouse paid?
- No
- Waitlist
- None
can pay a relative
set in the care plan
Who are you caring for in New York?
Who do you care for?
- 50 + DC
- states covered
- 3,144
- counties with local data
- $0
- it is always free to apply
- 2 min
- to see if you qualify
Population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau · Rules from each state's published Medicaid program
New York programs that pay family caregivers
This is Medicaid money — a real, ongoing benefit, not a grant or a one-off stipend. In New York it runs through:
- CDPAP
How it works: self-directed (consumer recruits, hires, trains), but since 4/1/2025 every consumer and PA must register with PPL (Public Partnerships LLC), the single statewide fiscal intermediary that runs payroll. The programs are administered by New York State Department of Health; Medicaid Helpline 1-800-541-2831; local county Department of Social Services determines eligibility.
Is there CDPAP or IHSS in New York?
New York is where the name CDPAP comes from. Since 2025 the program runs through a single statewide fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), rather than hundreds of separate agencies, so a caregiver's paperwork and pay now go through PPL.
Whatever the name, the model is the same one people mean by consumer-directed care: the person who needs help chooses their caregiver, and that caregiver can be family. See how CDPAP and IHSS work if a relative in New York or California described theirs to you.
What New York pays family caregivers
$18.65–$20.65/hr
Source: New York Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
Who can be paid in New York
- Adult child, grandchild, sibling, friend Yes
- Broadly allowed wherever the program lets the member choose their caregiver.
- Spouse Not right now
- no — spouses cannot be hired as CDPAP personal assistants
- Parent of a minor child Not right now
- no — parents cannot be paid caregivers for their own children under 21 (they can be paid for adult children 21+)
How much does New York pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay in New York is around $18.65–$20.65/hr. PPL minimum base wages eff. 1/1/2026: $20.65/hr NYC, $20.05/hr Nassau/Suffolk/Westchester, $18.65/hr rest of state, plus paid leave/benefits.
Your hours come from your relative's needs assessment, not from how many hours you actually work — which is why preparing for that assessment matters more than anything else. The detail is on the New York caregiver pay page, and the national picture is in family caregiver pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist in New York?
No waitlist reported. no waitlist — CFCO/CDPAP is an entitlement; new 'Minimum Needs' eligibility requirements for most new adult applicants since Sept 2025. Apply early either way — the Medicaid financial review and the care assessment take time even where there is no list.
Why New York pays family instead of an agency
3.8 million people in New York — 19% of the state — are 65 or older, across 62 counties. There are not enough agency home care workers for all of them, and care at home costs Medicaid far less than a nursing home. So the state pays the person already doing the work: you. If you would rather hire help, see what in-home care costs and home care agencies that hire family members.
How to become a paid caregiver for a family member in New York
- 2 minutes
Check eligibility
Five questions show which New York program fits your family and what it pays.
- usually weeks
Medicaid + needs assessment
New York confirms Medicaid eligibility and assesses how much help your relative needs. Those hours become your paid hours.
- after approval
Enroll and name you
Your relative enrolls in CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program) and names you as their caregiver. Background check and payroll forms follow.
- every pay period
Get paid
You log the hours you already work and are paid for them, like any job.
Where to apply: Apply through the county Department of Social Services (or Medicaid Helpline); enrolled members go through their care manager/MLTC plan, then consumer and caregiver register with PPL.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.
New York caregiver program questions
What is the caregiver program in New York called?
In New York, family caregivers are paid through CDPAP. New York is where the name CDPAP comes from. Since 2025 the program runs through a single statewide fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), rather than hundreds of separate agencies, so a caregiver's paperwork and pay now go through PPL.
Does New York have CDPAP or IHSS?
New York is where the name CDPAP comes from. Since 2025 the program runs through a single statewide fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), rather than hundreds of separate agencies, so a caregiver's paperwork and pay now go through PPL.
How much does New York pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay is around $18.65–$20.65/hr. PPL minimum base wages eff. 1/1/2026: $20.65/hr NYC, $20.05/hr Nassau/Suffolk/Westchester, $18.65/hr rest of state, plus paid leave/benefits.
Can I get paid to take care of my spouse in New York?
no — spouses cannot be hired as CDPAP personal assistants
Can a parent be paid to care for a disabled child in New York?
no — parents cannot be paid caregivers for their own children under 21 (they can be paid for adult children 21+)
Is there a waitlist for the New York caregiver program?
no waitlist — CFCO/CDPAP is an entitlement; new 'Minimum Needs' eligibility requirements for most new adult applicants since Sept 2025
How do I apply to be a paid caregiver in New York?
Apply through the county Department of Social Services (or Medicaid Helpline); enrolled members go through their care manager/MLTC plan, then consumer and caregiver register with PPL.
Who runs the New York Medicaid caregiver program?
New York State Department of Health; Medicaid Helpline 1-800-541-2831; local county Department of Social Services determines eligibility.
Sources: medicaidplanningassistance.org · pplfirst.com · health.ny.gov · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most New York caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in New York — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border New York
Each state writes its own rules, and they differ more than people expect — a spouse who can be paid on one side of the line often cannot be on the other.