Paid Family Caregiver Programs in New York

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Bottom line: New York does not have one simple state program that pays any family member to care for a senior. For most older adults, the real path is New York Medicaid’s CDPAP. It may pay an adult child or another approved relative if the senior qualifies for Medicaid home care. A spouse cannot be paid under CDPAP. If CDPAP is not a fit, ask about regular Medicaid home care, EISEP, respite, local aging services, and job-based Paid Family Leave. You can also use our New York senior benefits guide to check other help in the state.

Contents

Emergency help now

1. If the senior is unsafe alone today, call 911, go to the emergency room, or ask the hospital discharge planner for emergency home care help before discharge.
2. If the senior has Medicaid and needs home care right away, use New York’s Immediate Need process for personal care services or CDPAS. Submit the DOH-5786 form with the required medical paperwork to your local DSS or, in New York City, HRA.
3. If CDPAP is approved but PPL payroll, registration, or onboarding is blocking care, call PPL at 1-833-247-5346 the same day. Then call your managed care plan or local DSS/HRA.
4. If the senior is being discharged from a hospital, do not leave without written discharge instructions, a medication list, and the name of the person who is helping with home-care referrals.

What this help actually looks like in New York

If you search for a “paid family caregiver program” in New York, many pages make it sound simple. In real life, New York does not have one broad state cash benefit that pays any son, daughter, spouse, or friend to help an older adult at home.

The main true family-pay path is CDPAP. It is a Medicaid home care program. It lets the person getting care choose, train, and supervise a personal assistant. That assistant can often be an adult child, sibling, other adult relative, or friend. Since April 1, 2025, New York has used one statewide fiscal intermediary: Public Partnerships LLC, or PPL.

New York also has regular Medicaid home care through agencies, plus some non-Medicaid supports through the state aging network. Those can be very helpful, but they are not the same as “getting a family caregiver paid.” New York Paid Family Leave is also different. It can replace part of wages for a working adult child who takes time off to care for a parent, but it does not turn that adult child into a long-term paid home care aide.

Who qualifies

For the main family-pay route, the older adult must usually meet basic CDPAP rules. The senior must be eligible for New York Medicaid, have a stable medical condition, need home care based on a state-approved assessment, and be able to self-direct care. If the senior cannot self-direct, a designated representative may be able to direct the care.

For adults age 21 and older who are newly seeking personal care services or CDPAS on or after September 1, 2025, New York uses newer minimum-needs rules. In general, the person must need at least limited help with physical maneuvering in more than two activities of daily living. A person with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia may meet the rule if they need at least supervision with more than one activity of daily living. New York’s state guidance says dementia applicants should bring the DOH-5821 form.

If the senior was already authorized for PCS or CDPAS before September 1, 2025, New York says the person may have service legacy status. If the senior was already in MLTC before that date and stays continuously enrolled, the person may have plan legacy status under MLTC Policy 25.04. Legacy status can protect current users from the newer minimum-needs test.

Best New York programs, protections, portals, and options

CDPAP: the main way many family caregivers are paid

What it is. CDPAP is New York’s consumer-directed Medicaid home care program. It lets the person getting care choose a personal assistant instead of taking an agency-assigned aide. The program can cover help with bathing, dressing, toileting, meal prep, housekeeping, and some tasks that normally fall under home health aide or nursing services.

Who can use it. The senior must qualify for Medicaid home care and meet New York’s assessment rules. The older adult must also be able to self-direct, or have a designated representative who can recruit, train, schedule, and supervise the worker.

How it helps. This is the option most people mean when they ask if a daughter or son can get paid in New York. It gives families more control over who comes into the home. It can work well for seniors who already rely on a trusted relative.

How to apply or use it. If the senior is not already approved for home care, start with NYIA. If the senior is already in managed care or MLTC, also call the plan. After services are approved, CDPAP consumers must work with PPL. Families can also use approved PPL facilitators, including independent living centers and other local groups, for registration and support.

What to gather first. Be ready with the consumer’s address, contact information, date of birth, Medicaid Client Identification Number, and caregiver information. It also helps to have medication lists, doctor names, hospital discharge papers, and a clear list of daily tasks the senior needs help with.

How much do family caregivers get paid? Do not confuse New York’s posted CDPAS service rates with the worker’s hourly wage. The state publishes 2026 CDPAS rates. PPL publishes minimum base wages for personal assistants. PPL also says PA pay is tied to the consumer’s service authorization and location.

PPL says PAs are paid weekly on Thursdays when time is submitted and approved on time. PPL also says PAs who start with PPL in 2026 must complete required CDPAP training within 90 days of their PPL start date. See the PA resources page for payroll, training, and timekeeping details.

Traditional Medicaid home care, MLTC, MAP, and PACE

What it is. New York’s MLTC system includes MLTC Partial Capitation, Medicaid Advantage Plus, and PACE. These plans arrange home care and other long-term supports. New York also has regular personal care and home aide services outside CDPAP.

Who can get it. This is for Medicaid members who need ongoing home care. Many dual-eligible adults who need community-based long-term services for more than 120 days must enroll in MLTC, unless an exclusion applies. PACE is for adults age 55 and older. PACE has its own enrollment rules.

How it helps. This can still keep a senior at home even if the family cannot use CDPAP. But it is not the same as a statewide right to hire a child or spouse. New York’s state fact sheet explains that personal care aides are selected, employed, managed, and trained by a home care agency. CDPAP personal assistants are chosen and managed by the consumer or designated representative.

How to apply or use it. Start with NYIA, your plan, or your local DSS/HRA. If the case is urgent, use the Immediate Need process.

EISEP: a backup for seniors age 60+

What it is. EISEP is a New York aging-network program for adults age 60 and older who need help at home and are not eligible for the same services under Medicaid.

Who can get it. New York says the person must be age 60 or older, need help with at least one activity of daily living or two instrumental activities of daily living, be able to remain safely at home, and not be eligible for the same services under Medicaid.

How it helps. EISEP can provide case management, in-home help, respite, and other support. It is not as large as Medicaid home care, but it can be a strong backup. New York’s expanded services page says some local offices offer consumer-directed or direct-hire models. Older EISEP guidance says some participants may hire individuals, including family members, as workers. This is local. It is not guaranteed in every county.

How to apply or use it. Call NY Connects or your local office for the aging. Ask if your county offers consumer-directed EISEP, regular in-home help, respite, or case management.

NYSOFA caregiver support and respite

What it is. New York’s aging network runs the National Family Caregiver Support Program and state respite programs. These programs usually do not pay the family caregiver a wage, but they can help prevent burnout.

Who can use it. New York says eligible caregivers include adults age 18 and older caring for someone age 60 or older, or caring for a person of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. Some services also help older relatives caring for children or adults with disabilities.

How it helps. Families can get information, counseling, support groups, training, respite, and limited supplemental help while waiting for Medicaid or using a smaller care plan. Start with caregiver support or respite services through the aging network.

Paid Family Leave and VA options

New York Paid Family Leave. This is not CDPAP. It is a job-protected paid leave benefit for eligible employees caring for a close family member with a serious health condition. In 2026, New York says Paid Family Leave can provide up to 12 weeks at 67% of the worker’s average weekly wage, capped at $1,228.53 per week. It is temporary. It helps a working adult child step away from a job for a period of time, but it does not create an ongoing paid home care position. Check the 2026 PFL updates before applying.

Veteran options. If the senior is a veteran, ask the VA about Veteran-Directed Care, which may allow a veteran to manage a budget for home care if the service is available and the veteran meets clinical need. Also ask whether Aid and Attendance may help with care costs. These are not New York State programs, but they matter for some New York families.

How to apply without wasting time

1. Pick the right lane first. If the goal is to pay a family member, look at CDPAP first. If the senior is not on Medicaid, call NY Connects right away so you have a backup plan.
2. Start the assessment. For many older adults already on Medicaid, the best first call is NYIA at 1-855-222-8350. New York guidance says the Community Health Assessment and clinical appointment should be completed within 14 calendar days of contact with NYIA for standard initial assessments.
3. Use the urgent track if needed. For Immediate Need cases through DSS/HRA, New York says the local office has 12 calendar days from receipt of the required forms and, when needed, a completed Medicaid application, to refer the person to NYIA, review the outcome, develop a care plan, and authorize PCS or CDPAS if needed. Managed-care members should ask the plan if an expedited NYIA request applies.
4. Get the worker ready early. If you already know who the caregiver will be, ask PPL what forms, ID checks, health assessment, training, and payment setup the PA must complete.
5. Keep copies and dates. Save every notice, form, and fax confirmation. Write down the date you called NYIA, DSS/HRA, the health plan, and PPL.

Checklist of documents or proof

• Medicaid card or Client Identification Number, if the senior already has Medicaid
• Basic Medicaid application proofs if coverage is still pending, such as identity, address, income, and resource documents requested by DSS/HRA
• Medicare and other insurance cards
• Doctor names, diagnoses, medication list, and recent discharge papers
• A written list of help needed with bathing, dressing, transfers, toileting, meals, walking, medication setup, memory, and safety
• Name and contact information for the family member you hope to use as the caregiver
• If the senior has dementia, diagnosis proof and the DOH-5821 dementia form when requested
• If the case is urgent, the Immediate Need forms, including DOH-5786
• For the personal assistant, photo ID, work authorization documents for I-9, tax forms, payment method, health assessment, and required training

Reality checks

• New York does not have a simple state stipend that pays every family caregiver.
• The main family-pay path is Medicaid CDPAP.
• A spouse cannot be paid under CDPAP.
• The senior must qualify. The caregiver does not qualify on their own.
• Hours are based on the assessment and service authorization, not on how much unpaid help the family already gives.
• If the senior already had services before September 1, 2025, legacy status may matter a lot.
• PPL can only pay for authorized CDPAP hours that are submitted and approved correctly.
• Local aging programs may have waitlists or cost sharing. Ask for backup services while you wait.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mixing up Paid Family Leave with CDPAP
• Assuming Medicare alone is enough for CDPAP when Medicaid is required
• Naming the same person as both the designated representative and the paid caregiver
• Switching from agency care to CDPAP without asking whether a new authorization or care-plan change is needed
• Waiting too long to start PPL onboarding after approval
• Missing timesheet deadlines or consumer approval deadlines
• Ignoring notices from DSS/HRA, the plan, NYIA, or PPL

Best options by need

What to do if denied, delayed, blocked, or waitlisted

First, ask for the denial, reduction, or delay reason in writing. Do not rely only on a phone call. The notice should explain appeal rights and deadlines.

If the problem is Medicaid eligibility or a DSS/HRA decision, ask how to request a fair hearing. New York lists the fair hearing phone number as 1-800-342-3334.

If the problem is a managed care or MLTC service decision, file the plan’s internal appeal right away and ask for fair-hearing instructions too. Ask whether aid continuing applies if your current services are being reduced or stopped.

If the problem is CDPAP registration, timekeeping, or pay, call PPL first. Then call your managed care plan or LDSS/HRA if the issue affects the service authorization or care plan. New York also lists Department of Health escalation numbers for CDPAP issues: 1-866-712-7197 for managed care enrollees and 518-474-5888 for people working with LDSS.

If a local aging program says funding is full, ask to be screened for every other service the office offers, including respite, case management, meals, transportation, and caregiver support. In New York, “waitlisted” often means you need a backup plan while the main case moves.

Backup help if caregiving pay is not enough

Even when a family caregiver is paid, the hours may not cover every need. Families may still need help with bills, food, housing, transportation, home safety, or medical costs. These programs are separate from CDPAP, but they can reduce pressure on the household.

• For trusted nonprofit help, see charities helping seniors.
• For electric, gas, and heating bills, see utility bill help.
• For rent, eviction, or housing costs, see housing and rent help.
• For groceries and meals, see food programs for seniors.
• For Medicare premium help, see Medicare Savings Programs.
• For New York homeowner tax relief, see New York property tax relief.
• For checklists and simple calculators, use our senior help tools.

Local resources that matter in New York

• New York Independent Assessor: 1-855-222-8350
• NY Connects: 1-800-342-9871
• Local Offices for the Aging: county-by-county help with aging services
• PPL CDPAP support: 1-833-247-5346
• Medicaid fair hearings: 1-800-342-3334
• Paid Family Leave helpline: 1-844-337-6303
• Paid Family Leave details: check the PFL benefits page before you file

Language help and diverse communities

Language access is a real issue in New York. NYIA says callers can get help in any language. PPL says its team and facilitator partners speak many languages and can use translation services. New York’s Office for the Aging also publishes translated materials through its language access program.

If the senior has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, do not rely only on verbal explanations. Bring diagnosis proof. Under New York’s minimum-needs rules, dementia cases can qualify through a supervision standard, and the state says the DOH-5821 form should be used to document the diagnosis when needed.

Phone scripts you can use

Calling NYIA about CDPAP

“Hello. I am calling for a Medicaid member who needs help at home. We want to ask about CDPAP and a home-care assessment. Can you tell me what appointments are needed and what documents we should have ready?”

Calling DSS or HRA for Immediate Need

“Hello. My family member needs personal care or CDPAS quickly and may not be safe at home without help. I want to ask about the Immediate Need process. Which forms do you need, and where should we send DOH-5786 and the medical paperwork?”

Calling PPL about registration or pay

“Hello. I am calling about a CDPAP consumer and personal assistant. We need help with registration, time approval, or payroll. Can you check the case and tell me exactly what step is missing?”

Calling NY Connects for backup help

“Hello. I care for an older adult in New York. We are looking into CDPAP, but we also need backup help with respite, meals, transportation, and local services. Can you screen us for programs in our county?”

Resumen en español

En Nueva York no existe un solo programa estatal que automáticamente pague a cualquier familiar por cuidar a una persona mayor. La vía principal es CDPAP, un programa de Medicaid. Un hijo adulto u otro familiar puede ser asistente pagado si la persona mayor califica para Medicaid, necesita cuidado en el hogar y puede dirigir su cuidado o tiene un representante designado. El cónyuge no puede ser el asistente pagado.

Si la persona mayor no tiene Medicaid, todavía hay opciones reales. Llame a NY Connects al 1-800-342-9871 para pedir ayuda con EISEP, relevo para cuidadores y otros servicios locales. Si la necesidad es urgente, pregunte por el proceso de Immediate Need. Si el cuidador todavía trabaja, también puede preguntar sobre Paid Family Leave. Ese beneficio es temporal y viene del trabajo, no de CDPAP.

También puede revisar la página de agencias locales para mayores y la guía de vivienda para mayores en Nueva York. Ninguna página puede prometer aprobación. Siempre confirme las reglas con la agencia oficial antes de aplicar.

FAQ

Can my daughter or son get paid to care for me in New York?

Often yes. The main route is CDPAP. The older adult must qualify for New York Medicaid home care, meet the assessment rules, and be able to self-direct or use a designated representative. An adult child can often be the paid personal assistant. A spouse cannot.

Can my spouse get paid through New York’s paid family caregiver system?

No, not through CDPAP. New York bars spouses from serving as paid personal assistants. If the spouse is still working, the spouse may ask about Paid Family Leave, but that is temporary leave from a job, not ongoing home care pay.

Do I need Medicaid, or is Medicare enough?

For CDPAP, the senior needs New York Medicaid. Medicare alone is not enough. If the senior is not on Medicaid, call NY Connects for backup options like EISEP, respite, and local supports while the Medicaid question is being sorted out.

What changed after September 1, 2025?

New York began using stricter minimum-needs rules for adults newly seeking PCS or CDPAS. Many current users are protected by service legacy or plan legacy rules if they were already authorized or enrolled before that date.

How fast can I get help if I am coming home from the hospital?

Ask DSS/HRA about the Immediate Need process. The local office has a shorter review timeline after it receives the required forms and, when needed, a completed Medicaid application. If you are in managed care, ask the plan if an expedited NYIA request applies.

Will the caregiver get a W-2, and are the payments taxable?

PPL says CDPAP personal assistants receive W-2s, and New York says the fiscal intermediary handles wage withholding and payroll records. Some families ask about IRS guidance under Notice 2014-7, but that rule does not automatically apply to every New York caregiving payment. Get tax advice before excluding income.

Is New York Paid Family Leave the same as CDPAP?

No. Paid Family Leave pays eligible workers who take time off from a job to care for a close family member with a serious health condition. CDPAP is Medicaid home care that can pay a personal assistant, including some relatives, to provide hands-on care at home.

Editorial note: This guide uses official New York State, federal, local agency, and trusted program sources mentioned in the article. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified May 6, 2026. Next review September 6, 2026.

Corrections: Please email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections. We will review correction requests as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.

About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.