If you have aging parents in Brooklyn, you are most likely juggling your personal life and your parents’ home care needs. Fortunately, New York law offers you a unique solution through the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) for eligible residents. This initiative allows your loved ones to stay home while receiving help from people you already know and trust.
How do your parents qualify for the program as New York residents?
Your parents generally qualify if they maintain active Medicaid coverage and are capable of directing their own care. Additionally, they should demonstrate a clinical need for help with activities such as bathing, dressing or meal preparation.
Initial clinical assessments for CDPAP eligibility are conducted through the New York Independent Assessor (NYIA) system, after which the local social services district or Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) plan determines the authorized plan of care and covered hours.
How PPL Manages Your CDPAP Administration
Every CDPAP participant relies on a fiscal intermediary to manage their personal assistant’s payroll, taxes, and insurance. Starting April 1, 2025, New York transitioned all of these administrative services to a single, statewide vendor: Public Partnerships LLC (PPL). Caregivers must use PPL’s Time4Care app to submit timesheets and receive their paychecks. Additionally, all assistants are required to complete Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) training within the app before they begin working.
Importantly, this transition to PPL does not affect program eligibility, your approved care hours, or the qualifications required for personal assistants. You still retain complete control over choosing your caregiver.
What are the benefits of hiring family members?
You can hire certain family members or trusted friends as paid caregivers rather than using an agency through this program. This choice often reduces your stress by avoiding strangers in a private home where you value personal space, allowing you to:
- Keep your existing personal bonds and trust
- Provide care that matches your family’s cultural background and language preferences
- Use your shared history to improve comfort
- Adjust care schedules to fit your family’s daily routine
This approach helps your parents maintain their routines while receiving care in a familiar setting. However, the spouse of the beneficiary is prohibited from assuming the role of caregiver under CDPAP.
How an attorney can help
You can secure the right care for your parents by understanding complex state programs and planning for medical needs. Your proactive planning helps your family maintain control over medical decisions while you protect their independence. You can speak with an attorney to clarify your legal options during this family transition.