How CDPAP Actually Works: Getting Paid to Care for a Parent in New York
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a New York Medicaid program that lets people receiving home care hire their own caregivers — including most family members — instead of using a traditional aide from an agency.
Who qualifies
The person receiving care must qualify for Medicaid home care in New York. Once approved, they choose the caregiver — with a few restrictions. Spouses generally cannot be paid. Parents caring for adult children and adult children caring for parents can.
What changed recently
New York consolidated CDPAP administration in 2025 under a single Statewide Fiscal Intermediary. Existing caregivers had to re-register through the new system. If your parent already had a CDPAP caregiver, that person needed to complete the transition — many families missed the window and lost paid hours temporarily.
How to start
Step one is community Medicaid eligibility. Step two is a home care assessment through the MLTC plan your parent enrolls in. Step three is enrolling with the Fiscal Intermediary as the paid caregiver. Timeline is usually 6–10 weeks from start to first paycheck, depending on how quickly documents come together.
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