Learn about paid family caregiving options in New York through licensed agencies that participate in Medicaid-funded PCA and OPWDD-related Home Care programs.
Family Caregiver NY provides information, initial screening, and process guidance. We are not a licensed Home Care agency, employer, Medicaid plan, or government program.
❓ What does FamilyCaregiverNY.com do?
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We help New York families understand whether their situation may fit a Medicaid-funded Home Care program, including:
- PCA (Personal Care Aide) Home Care
- OPWDD-related Home Care support
- HHA (Home Health Aide) services
We provide initial screening, explain caregiver relationship rules, and guide suitable families toward licensed partner agencies for formal intake and review.
The licensed agency determines acceptance, employs and pays the caregiver, and provides the authorized Home Care services.
❓ What is PCA Home Care?
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PCA stands for Personal Care Aide. PCA Home Care is generally intended for Medicaid-eligible adults who need ongoing assistance because of a disability, long-term health condition, or age-related limitation.
A PCA may assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, walking, toileting, meal preparation, and remaining safe at home.
Medicaid, the applicable health plan, and the licensed Home Care agency determine eligibility, authorized hours, and caregiver acceptance.
❓ Who may qualify as a paid caregiver under PCA?
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Under the licensed agency programs we currently work with, eligible caregivers may include:
- Siblings
- Aunts or uncles
- Grandchildren
- Cousins
- Nieces or nephews
- Brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law
- Extended relatives
- Close family friends, depending on agency review
The proposed caregiver must also meet the licensed agency’s certification, health, employment, and documentation requirements.
❌ Who is not accepted as a paid caregiver under PCA?
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Under the licensed agency programs we currently work with, the following individuals cannot be enrolled as the paid PCA caregiver:
- A spouse
- A parent of the person receiving care
- A son or daughter of the person receiving care
- A son-in-law or daughter-in-law
- A legal guardian
Other Medicaid programs may have different caregiver rules. These restrictions reflect the PCA agency programs currently available through our support process.
❓ What is OPWDD?
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OPWDD stands for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. It supports eligible children and adults with qualifying developmental disabilities that began before age 22.
Qualifying conditions may include:
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Intellectual disabilities
- Certain neurological conditions
A diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility. OPWDD may require medical records, psychological evaluations, developmental history, and documentation of substantial functional limitations.
❓ Who may qualify as a paid caregiver under OPWDD?
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Under our current partner-agency workflow, potential caregivers may include:
- Siblings
- Aunts or uncles
- Cousins
- Grandchildren
- Extended relatives
- Eligible close family friends, depending on agency review
Parents of minor children, parents of adult children, and legal guardians are not accepted as paid caregivers through the OPWDD agency programs we currently work with.
❓ Can children under 18 qualify for OPWDD?
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Yes. A child with a qualifying developmental disability may be eligible for OPWDD services.
However, the child’s parent or legal guardian cannot be the paid caregiver through the agency programs we currently work with. An eligible adult sibling, aunt, uncle, extended relative, close family friend, or licensed agency aide may be considered instead.
❓ Does the caregiver need certification?
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Certification requirements depend on the program, licensed agency, and services being authorized.
A proposed caregiver may need PCA or HHA certification, a health assessment, background screening, employment authorization, and other required documents.
PCA certification support may be available through a participating licensed agency. Family Caregiver NY does not issue certifications or employ caregivers.
❓ What is the difference between PCA and OPWDD?
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| Feature | PCA Home Care | OPWDD |
|---|---|---|
| Who it may support | Medicaid-eligible adults with long-term medical, physical, or age-related care needs | Eligible children and adults with developmental disabilities that began before age 22 |
| Parents accepted as paid caregivers through our current agency programs? | No | No |
| Legal guardians accepted as paid caregivers? | No | No |
| Other relatives potentially eligible? | Yes, depending on relationship and agency review | Yes, depending on relationship, services, and agency review |
| Certification requirements | PCA certification and agency employment requirements may apply | PCA, HHA, or other requirements may apply depending on the services |
| Primary focus | Assistance with daily living and personal care | Developmental support, safety, daily functioning, and community-based services |
❓ Does the caregiver’s address matter?
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Yes. The caregiver’s living arrangement can affect whether a licensed agency accepts the case.
Platinum generally does not accept a caregiver who lives at the same address as the person receiving care. Other licensed partner agencies, including Anchor, may be more flexible depending on the relationship and circumstances.
Every situation must be reviewed individually.
❓ Do you offer CDPAP services?
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No. Family Caregiver NY does not provide CDPAP enrollment or connect applicants with CDPAP services.
CDPAP is a separate Medicaid program with different caregiver and enrollment rules. We currently provide information and support related to PCA, HHA, and OPWDD-related Home Care options available through licensed partner agencies.
❓ How do I start?
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Begin by completing our Eligibility Form.
We will review the information, explain which options may fit, and guide suitable families toward a licensed partner agency for formal intake and review.
Completing the form does not guarantee Medicaid approval, Home Care hours, caregiver employment, or agency acceptance.
❓ What if my loved one does not have Medicaid?
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Medicaid eligibility is generally required for the Home Care programs discussed on this website.
We can explain the next steps and guide families toward appropriate Medicaid enrollment resources or licensed partners. Family Caregiver NY does not determine Medicaid eligibility or approve Medicaid applications.
❓ How much do caregivers get paid?
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Pay rates depend on the licensed agency, location, caregiver position, applicable wage requirements, and other employment factors.
The licensed Home Care agency determines the applicable rate, employs the caregiver, and manages payroll. Family Caregiver NY does not set pay rates or pay caregivers.
❓ Where is support currently available?
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Our licensed partners may review suitable cases from the following areas:
- New York City: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island
- Nassau and Westchester Counties
- Albany, Schenectady, Fulton, Warren, Montgomery, Washington, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties
Agency availability and caregiver requirements may vary by location. Nassau County and Staten Island cases may require the person receiving care to already have a preferred aide.
❓ Can I speak with someone before completing the form?
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Yes. Call us at 929-660-2391 to discuss your situation before completing the form.
We can provide general information and initial screening, but formal eligibility and service decisions are made by Medicaid, the applicable plan, OPWDD, and the licensed agency.
❓ What if the preferred caregiver is not eligible?
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Another eligible relative or close family friend may potentially be considered. The person receiving care may also be able to receive services from a licensed agency aide.
We can help the family understand the available options, but the licensed agency makes the final caregiver acceptance and employment decisions.
📩 Still have questions?
Reach out through our contact form or call 929-660-2391. We will help you understand the next step.