How Your Family Can Get Paid to Care for You: Complete CDPAP Guide for NYC

What If Your Daughter Could Get Paid $3,000/Month to Care for You?

Imagine this scenario:

Your mom needs help. Bathing is getting dangerous. She can't cook safely anymore. Getting dressed exhausts her.

You want to help. You visit daily. You worry constantly. But you also have bills to pay, and taking time off work isn't an option.

What if I told you there's a legal way for you to:

• Quit your stressful job
• Get paid $18-25/hour to care for your mom
• Earn $2,500-$4,500/month
• Spend quality time together
• 100% covered by Medicaid—zero cost to your family

This isn't a scam. It's called CDPAP, and it's been helping NYC families for over 20 years.

Let me show you exactly how it works.

What is CDPAP? (The Simple Explanation)

CDPAP = Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program

It's a New York State Medicaid program that lets eligible individuals:

• Choose their own caregiver (instead of getting assigned a random agency aide)
• Hire family members or friends
• Direct their own care
• Get better, more personalized assistance

The key difference:

Traditional Medicaid Homecare:

• Agency sends whoever is available
• Different aides each week
• Fixed tasks, inflexible schedule
• Can't hire family

CDPAP:

• ✅ YOU choose who cares for you
• ✅ Can hire your adult child, sibling, cousin, friend—almost anyone
• ✅ Flexible schedule
• ✅ Caregiver gets paid professional wages
• ✅ Allows skilled nursing tasks if caregiver is trained

How Much Do CDPAP Caregivers Get Paid in NYC?

Let's talk money—because this is a real job with real pay.

2025 NYC CDPAP Pay Rates:

Hourly Wages:

• Standard Rate: $18.00-$20.00/hour
• Weekend Rate: $20.00-$22.00/hour
• Overtime Rate: $27.00-$30.00/hour (over 40 hrs/week)
• Live-in Rate: $24.00-$28.00/hour (special cases)

Varies by:

• Agency/Fiscal Intermediary
• Borough
• Experience level
• Specific care needs

Monthly Income Potential:

| Hours/Week | Standard Pay | Monthly Income | |------------|--------------|----------------| | 20 hours | $20/hour | $1,600/month | | 30 hours | $20/hour | $2,400/month | | 40 hours | $20/hour | $3,200/month | | 50 hours* | $20-$30/hour | $4,200/month |

*50 hours includes 10 overtime hours at 1.5x pay

Real Example: Maria cares for her mother 35 hours/week at $20/hour:

• Regular pay: 35 hours × $20 = $700/week
• Monthly: $700 × 4.3 weeks = $3,010/month
• Annually: $36,120/year

Plus benefits:

• ✅ Paid through W-2 employment (not under the table)
• ✅ Builds Social Security credits
• ✅ Eligible for unemployment benefits
• ✅ May qualify for health insurance
• ✅ Legitimate work history

Who Can Be a CDPAP Caregiver?

You CAN Hire:

✅ Adult children (18+) ✅ Grandchildren (18+) ✅ Siblings ✅ Nieces/nephews ✅ Cousins ✅ In-laws ✅ Friends ✅ Neighbors ✅ Anyone you trust (with few exceptions)

You CANNOT Hire:

❌ Your spouse/domestic partner ❌ The parent of your minor child (if you're the recipient) ❌ Your legally designated representative (the person who manages your care decisions)

Caregiver Requirements:

Must be:

• 18 years or older
• Legally able to work in the US
• Pass a background check (simple, most people pass)
• Able to perform the required care tasks

Does NOT need:

• ❌ Nursing license
• ❌ HHA certificate
• ❌ Prior caregiving experience
• ❌ Special training (we provide training)
• ❌ To speak perfect English

Bottom line: If you trust them and they're willing to help, they can probably qualify.

Who Qualifies to RECEIVE CDPAP Care?

Medical Eligibility:

You must need help with 2 or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

Basic ADLs:

• ☐ Bathing or showering
• ☐ Getting dressed
• ☐ Using the toilet
• ☐ Eating
• ☐ Mobility (walking, transferring)

OR Instrumental ADLs:

• ☐ Preparing meals
• ☐ Managing medications
• ☐ Light housekeeping
• ☐ Shopping for groceries
• ☐ Managing money

Assessment: A Conflict-Free Evaluation Entity (CFEE) will visit your home to assess your needs.

Financial Eligibility:

Standard Medicaid:

• Income under $1,717/month (individual)
• Assets under $32,396 (not counting home and one car)

Above the Limit?

• Learn about Pooled Income Trusts →
• Many middle-income families qualify this way

Location:

• Must be a NYC resident (Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan)
• Must plan to receive care at home (not in a facility)

Quick Check: Take Our 2-Minute Eligibility Screener →

Real NYC Families Thriving with CDPAP

The Rodriguez Family (Bronx)

Before CDPAP:

• Maria (52) worked retail, earned $32K/year
• Stressed and exhausted
• Mom (78) lived alone, struggling
• Hospital visits every few months from falls

After CDPAP:

• Maria quit retail job
• Now cares for mom 40 hours/week
• Earns $41,600/year (higher than retail!)
• Mom safe, healthy, no falls in 18 months
• Quality time together daily
• "Best decision we ever made"

The Chen Family (Flushing, Queens)

Before CDPAP:

• Mr. Chen (83) had Parkinson's
• Wife (76) was his primary caregiver, wearing herself out
• Daughter (48) visited evenings after work, exhausted
• Family strained, everyone stressed

After CDPAP:

• Daughter became paid caregiver: 30 hours/week
• Son-in-law helps 15 hours/week
• Combined earnings: $4,300/month
• Mrs. Chen gets rest
• Mr. Chen receives better, more attentive care
• "CDPAP saved our family"

Sarah's Story (Brooklyn)

Before CDPAP:

• Sarah (34) cared for grandmother
• Worked part-time, barely made ends meet
• Grandma had agency aides who didn't speak her language
• Grandma refused care from strangers

After CDPAP:

• Sarah became full-time caregiver
• Earns $3,200/month
• Grandma happy, comfortable with granddaughter
• Sarah's son sees great-grandma daily
• Four generations strengthened
• "We never knew this was possible"

The Complete CDPAP Process: Week by Week

Week 1: Initial Eligibility & Assessment

Step 1: Check Eligibility

• Take our screener →
• Confirm medical need (2+ ADLs)
• Confirm financial eligibility

Step 2: Contact Us

• Fill out contact form →
• Or text us your situation
• We'll explain your options

Step 3: Medical Assessment

• CFEE evaluator visits your home
• Assesses care needs
• Determines hours of care approved
• Usually 15-50 hours/week depending on needs

Week 2-3: Medicaid Application

Step 4: Gather Documents

For Care Recipient:

• ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
• Social Security card
• Medicaid card (if already enrolled) or Medicaid application
• Bank statements (last 3 months)
• Proof of income
• Medical records (optional but helpful)

For Caregiver:

• ID
• Social Security card
• Proof of eligibility to work in US

Step 5: Submit Application

• We help you complete all forms
• Submit to appropriate agencies
• Follow up on status

Week 4-5: Approval & Setup

Step 6: Medicaid Approval

• Usually 2-4 weeks for decision
• Care plan approved with specific hours

Step 7: Choose Fiscal Intermediary (FI)

• FI handles payroll for your caregiver
• We recommend reputable agencies
• They process payments, taxes, workers' comp

Step 8: Caregiver Enrollment

• Caregiver completes paperwork
• Background check (takes 3-7 days)
• W-2/tax forms
• Training (if needed)

Week 6: Care Begins!

Step 9: Start Caregiving

• Caregiver begins providing care
• Documents hours using simple time-tracking
• Submits timesheets bi-weekly

Step 10: Get Paid

• Caregiver receives paycheck every 2 weeks
• Direct deposit available
• Automatic tax withholding
• Pay stubs provided

Ongoing: Continuous Support

• Monthly check-ins with care manager
• Adjust hours if needs change
• Training available anytime
• We handle paperwork and coordination

Total Timeline: Usually 4-8 weeks from first contact to first paycheck

What Care Can CDPAP Caregivers Provide?

Personal Care (ADLs):

✅ Bathing and showering ✅ Dressing and grooming ✅ Toileting assistance ✅ Feeding assistance ✅ Mobility assistance (transfers, walking) ✅ Medication reminders ✅ Continence care

Household Support (IADLs):

✅ Meal preparation and cooking ✅ Light housekeeping ✅ Laundry ✅ Grocery shopping ✅ Errands ✅ Companionship

Skilled Nursing Tasks (With Training):

✅ Medication administration (pills, insulin injections) ✅ Wound care and dressing changes ✅ Catheter care ✅ Feeding tube management ✅ Oxygen management ✅ Blood pressure monitoring ✅ Blood sugar testing

This is HUGE: Traditional homecare aides can't do skilled tasks. CDPAP caregivers can—if trained.

CDPAP vs Traditional Homecare: The Comparison

| Feature | Traditional Homecare | CDPAP | |---------|---------------------|--------| | Choose caregiver | ❌ Agency assigns | ✅ You choose | | Hire family | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Encouraged | | Consistent caregiver | ❌ Changes frequently | ✅ Same person | | Cultural compatibility | ❌ Hit or miss | ✅ You ensure it | | Language | ❌ May not match | ✅ You choose | | Flexible schedule | ❌ Agency dictates | ✅ You control | | Skilled nursing tasks | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ With training | | Caregiver pay | Low ($15-16/hr) | Higher ($18-25/hr) | | Family income | $0 | $2,500-$4,500/month | | Quality of care | Varies | Usually excellent | | Cost to you | $0 (Medicaid pays) | $0 (Medicaid pays) |

Winner: CDPAP, by a landslide.

Common Questions & Concerns

"This sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?"

There's no catch. CDPAP has existed for over 20 years. It's fully legal, fully legitimate, and fully funded by Medicaid.

Why does NY offer this?

• Keeps people out of nursing homes (saves money)
• Better health outcomes
• Higher satisfaction
• Supports families and communities

"Will this affect my Medicaid or Social Security?"

No. Completely separate programs.

• Your Medicaid: Unchanged
• Your Social Security: Unchanged
• Medicare: Unchanged

Your caregiver's income is their earned wages—doesn't affect your benefits.

"Can my caregiver work another job too?"

Yes! CDPAP is flexible.

Example:

• Mom needs 25 hours/week care
• Daughter works part-time elsewhere (20 hours/week)
• Total work: 45 hours/week
• Daughter earns from both jobs

Many CDPAP caregivers balance this with other part-time work or school.

"What if we fight or it doesn't work out?"

You can change caregivers anytime.

If family caregiving isn't working:

• Hire a friend or neighbor instead
• Or switch to traditional agency care
• No penalty, no problem

"What happens if my caregiver gets sick?"

Options:

• Have a backup caregiver (many families designate 2-3 people who split hours)
• Temporarily use agency care
• Ask for a temporary replacement

Most families designate a primary caregiver and a backup.

"Can multiple family members share the caregiving hours?"

YES! This is common and encouraged.

Example:

• Approved for 40 hours/week care
• Daughter: 25 hours/week ($2,000/month)
• Son: 15 hours/week ($1,200/month)
• Both get paid, mom gets consistent care

"What about taxes?"

Handled automatically by the Fiscal Intermediary.

Your caregiver:

• Receives W-2 (like any job)
• Taxes withheld from paycheck
• Gets tax documents for filing
• Builds Social Security credits

You (care recipient):

• No tax implications
• No paperwork
• Not considered employer for tax purposes

"How many hours will be approved?"

Depends on your care needs, assessed by CFEE evaluator.

Typical approvals:

• Mild needs: 15-20 hours/week
• Moderate needs: 20-35 hours/week
• Significant needs: 35-50+ hours/week
• 24-hour care: Possible in severe cases

The Life-Changing Math

Let's put this in perspective with a real scenario:

The Johnson Family (Queens):

Before CDPAP:

• Daughter (Lisa) earned $45,000/year in stressful office job
• Visited mom 2 hours daily after work (exhausting)
• Paid $800/month for 2x/week aide (mom hated the strangers)
• Mom fell twice, hospitalized once
• Lisa constantly worried
• Family strained

Annual costs:

• Emotional: Stress, worry, deteriorating relationship
• Financial: $9,600/year on aides
• Health: Mom's declining condition

After CDPAP:

• Lisa quit office job
• Cares for mom 40 hours/week
• Earns $41,600/year (about the same!)
• No more aide costs
• Mom thriving—no falls in 2 years
• Relationship deeper than ever
• Lisa less stressed despite "working more"

Annual gains:

• Emotional: Priceless
• Financial: $9,600 savings + improved quality of life
• Health: Mom's condition stabilized, avoiding costly hospitalizations

Lisa: "I thought I was making a sacrifice. Turns out I gained everything."

Why CDPAP is Perfect for NYC Families

Cultural & Linguistic Compatibility

NYC is incredibly diverse. CDPAP lets you choose a caregiver who:

• Speaks your language
• Understands your culture
• Respects your traditions
• Prepares familiar foods
• Shares your values

This isn't just nice—it's essential for quality care.

Multi-Generational Households

Many NYC families live together or nearby. CDPAP supports this:

Example scenarios:

• Three generations in one home: Adult child cares for aging parent while raising children
• Siblings split caregiving for parents
• Extended family collaborates on care
• Adult grandchildren care for grandparents

CDPAP strengthens the family structure that already exists in many communities.

Immigration & Community Trust

For immigrant families, trust is everything.

CDPAP advantages:

• No strangers entering your home
• Language barriers eliminated
• Cultural misunderstandings avoided
• Privacy protected
• Immigration status not scrutinized (for Medicaid-eligible recipients)

Economic Empowerment

CDPAP creates legitimate employment opportunities in neighborhoods where jobs may be scarce.

Community impact:

• Keeps money in the community
• Provides dignified work
• Builds job skills
• Creates work history for future employment

Take the First Step Today

Thousands of NYC families have transformed their lives through CDPAP. Yours could be next.

Your Action Plan:

Step 1: Quick Eligibility Check (2 minutes) Take Our Free Screener →

Does your loved one need help with daily activities? Do they have Medicaid or qualify for it?

Step 2: Learn the Details (15 minutes) CDPAP Program Overview →

Understand exactly how the program works, pay rates, and requirements.

Step 3: Check Income Qualification (If Needed) Pooled Income Trust Guide →

If income is above standard Medicaid limits, this shows how to qualify.

Step 4: Contact Us (Today) Get Started →

Text or email us. We'll discuss your situation and map out your next steps.

No cost. No obligation. No pressure.

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The Choice That Changes Everything

Right now, you have a choice:

Option A: Continue as you are

• Loved one struggles with daily tasks
• You worry constantly
• Family members stretched thin
• Burning through savings on paid care
• Or relying on unpaid family help (unsustainable)

Option B: Activate CDPAP

• Professional care from someone you trust
• Family member earns $2,500-$4,500/month
• Better care, better outcomes
• Stronger family bonds
• Zero cost to your family

Which would you choose?

This Isn't About "Getting a Handout"

Let's be clear: CDPAP isn't charity. It's not a handout.

It's healthcare you've earned:

• You've paid taxes for decades
• You've contributed to the system
• This is your benefit
• You're entitled to it

And it's better for everyone:

• Better for you (care from someone you love)
• Better for your caregiver (dignified, paid work)
• Better for the state (keeps people out of nursing homes)
• Better for healthcare system (better outcomes, lower costs)

Everybody wins.

Don't Wait—Your Loved One Needs Care Today

Every day you delay is:

• Another day of struggle
• Higher risk of falls or emergencies
• More stress on family
• Lost potential income for your family caregiver

Start the process today:

🔍 Check Eligibility: Free 2-Minute Screener →

📘 Learn More: Complete CDPAP Guide →

💬 Get Help: Contact Our Team →

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Your Family. Your Choice. Your Income.

That's what CDPAP is all about.

The care your loved one needs. From the family member they trust. With the income your family deserves.

All covered by Medicaid. All at zero cost to you.

Let's get started today.

Questions? Text or email us anytime. We're here to help.