CDPAP Frequently Asked Questions

How does CDPAP work?
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program allows a Medicaid eligible homecare recipient to choose their own caregivers, schedule (within defined limits), supervise, train and replace the caregivers according to their own needs.

Can Medicaid recipients get CDPAP?
Yes, CDPAP is a program provided to Medicaid consumers. If you do not have Medicaid, but may be eligible, Caring Assistants can help you through the application process.

Can Medicare recipients get CDPAP?
No, CDPAP is only available to Medicaid consumers. If you have Medicare, you may be eligible for Medicaid. Caring Assistants can help you through the application process.

Do I have to be enrolled with a Medicaid Managed Care plan (Medicaid insurance) to receive CDPAP?
Only if s/he is over 21 years of age and qualifies for the program. If you are unsure if you qualify, please Contact us

How do I qualify for CDPAP?

You need to have Medicaid, or be eligible to apply for it, and be assessed as needing at least limited assistance with physical maneuvering — hands-on help to move, steady or position yourself — with more than two activities of daily living. Activities of daily living include bathing, dressing, walking, transferring, eating and using the bathroom. If you have a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the threshold is lower: at least supervision with more than one of these activities.

You also need to be able and willing to direct your own care, or have a designated representative who can do that for you.

These minimum-needs rules took effect on September 1, 2025 and apply to new applicants. If you were already receiving personal care or CDPAP services before that date, or you were assessed before it, the earlier rules may still apply. Eligibility is settled by an independent assessment, not by the agency.

If the consumer cannot direct their own care, can they still qualify for CDPAP?
Yes, if there is an approved Designated Representative who is ready, willing and able to accept all the responsibilities instead of the consumer.

Caregivers

Who can be a caregiver?
Most people you trust can be your CDPAP personal assistant — an adult child, a grandchild, a sibling, a friend, or a neighbor. There are a few exceptions.

Your spouse cannot be your personal assistant. Neither can your designated representative, the person who helps direct your care on your behalf. A parent can be the personal assistant for a son or daughter who is 21 or older, but not for a child under 21.

A court-appointed legal guardian can serve as the personal assistant for an adult aged 21 or older, provided that the same person is not also acting as the designated representative.

Can a spouse take care of their husband or wife?
No, taking care of a spouse is prohibited under the CDPAP program.

Can a parent care for their son or daughter?
Yes, if the son or daughter is 21 or older. A parent cannot be the paid personal assistant for a child under 21.

If I am the consumer’s power of attorney (POA) or health care proxy can I be their personal assistant?
Sometimes. Please contact Caring Assistants to see if you can qualify.

Can the personal assistant live with the consumer?
Yes, this arrangement is allowed.

Is special training or certifications needed to be a personal assistant?
No specific training or certificate is required. The consumer hires qualified personal assistants and and train them to complete the tasks on their plan of care to their own standards and liking.

What are the requirements to become a Personal Assistant?
You will need a medical exam, with a TB test and labs for Rubella & Rubeola to verify your immunity. You will also need your original state ID, original Social Security Card and Direct Deposit information.

How many personal assistants do I need to hire? Enough personal assistants to provide all the care you qualify for. We always encourage consumers to hire backup personal assistants in case the primary ones become temporarily unavailable.

Payments/Benefits

How often is my personal assistant paid? Every Week.

How do personal assistants get paid from CDPAP? Personal Assistants can be paid using direct deposit to a bank account or a paycard provided by Caring Assistants.

How much do employees get paid? Pay rates depend on the location and on the consumer’s insurance provider. Contact us and we will tell you the current rate for your area.

Are there any employee benefits for personal assistants? Caring Assistants offers several benefits to personal assistants:

• Paid Time Off- up to seventy hours per year. Hours are calculated
  based on the number of hours worked,
• Up to twenty four hours of paid time off for those who qualify for
  the Domestic Worker’s Bill of rights,
• Life insurance to qualified PAs

Hours and Scheduling

How many hours of CDPAP do I qualify for? The nurse from your insurance plan (MCO/MLTC) determines how many hours you can be authorized for per week based on your needs.

Can I as the consumer decide my own schedule? Yes, as long as it is consistent with the authorization that your insurance provides.

Is there a maximum number of hours given for CDPAP?  The consumer’s insurance will authorize the number of work hours available.

Caring Assistants Service Area

What areas do you service? 
New York City area: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau and Westchester Counties. 
Upstate New York: Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington.

What is CDPAP? Find out more about CDPAP from our CDPAP Articles and CDPAP Guides

• Apply for CDPAP here
• Read Stress Less with CDPAP Home Care
• Read Seven Tips to Improve Communication with Your Parent’s Caregivers
• Learn more – A QUICK GUIDE to joining the CDPAP Program in New York
• What are the The Realities of CDPAP?
• So, You Want to be a Paid Caregiver in the CDPAP Program?
• How does CDPAP help my family?
• Would you like to find out Will I Qualify for CDPAP?