CDPAP in New York: How to Get Paid to Care for a Loved One

One of the most common questions we hear from families is also one of the most emotional. "Can I get paid to take care of my mom?" In New York, the answer is often yes, through a program called CDPAP.

If you are already the one showing up, driving to appointments, and handling daily care, this program may let you do it as the paid caregiver instead of a stranger.

What is CDPAP?

CDPAP stands for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It is a New York Medicaid program that lets the person receiving care choose their own caregiver, rather than being assigned an aide from an agency.

The caregiver is paid through Medicaid for the hours of care they provide. For many families, this is the difference between a loved one getting quality help and going without.

Who can be the paid caregiver?

This is the part that surprises people. Most family members can serve as the paid caregiver, including adult children, grandchildren, and other relatives, as well as close friends.

There is one main exception. A spouse cannot be the paid caregiver. The caregiver must be at least 18 years old and legally allowed to work in the United States. No medical training or certification is required.

Who qualifies for CDPAP?

For the person receiving care, qualifying comes down to:

• Being eligible for New York Medicaid.
• Having a doctor confirm a need for help with daily activities.
• Being able to direct their own care, or having a family member act as their designated representative.

If your loved one is not yet on Medicaid, that is something we help families with first, as part of our Community Medicaid planning.

What changed with CDPAP in 2025

If you have been reading about CDPAP, you may have seen news about changes. In 2025, New York moved to a single statewide organization, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), to handle the payroll and administrative side of the program.

Here is the important part. The change was about the business side, not the care side. Who qualifies, the right to choose your own caregiver, and the services covered all stayed the same. We help families work through the current process so nothing falls through the cracks.

How LiFEC helps

We start by confirming your loved one's Medicaid eligibility, and we help them qualify if they are not enrolled yet. We handle the planning and the application, and we guide your family through getting set up so the caregiver can be paid. You focus on caring for your loved one. We handle the system.

Frequently asked questions