Many families in New York provide daily care for a loved one who is elderly, disabled, or living with a long-term health condition. This may include help with bathing, dressing, walking, preparing meals, attending appointments, and remaining safe at home.
Certain relatives and close family friends may be able to become paid caregivers through Medicaid-funded Home Care programs. However, willingness to provide care does not automatically make someone eligible. The person receiving care must qualify for Home Care, and the proposed caregiver must meet the relationship and employment requirements of the applicable program and licensed agency.
Family Caregiver NY provides screening, information, and process guidance. We are not a licensed Home Care agency, Medicaid plan, employer, or government program. When a case appears suitable, we connect the family with a licensed partner agency that makes the final acceptance and employment decisions.
Who May Qualify Under PCA Home Care?
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.
Under the licensed agency programs we currently work with, a sibling, aunt, uncle, grandchild, cousin, niece, nephew, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, extended relative, or close family friend may potentially qualify as a paid PCA caregiver.
The caregiver may need to complete PCA certification, a health assessment, employment documents, background screening, and other agency requirements. Previous caregiving experience does not automatically replace these requirements.
The licensed Home Care agency employs and pays the caregiver. Family Caregiver NY does not employ caregivers or issue payments.
Who Cannot Be a Paid PCA Caregiver?
Under the current agency programs available through our support process, a spouse, parent, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or legal guardian cannot be enrolled as the paid PCA caregiver.
These restrictions are important because different Medicaid programs may follow different caregiver rules. Families sometimes read general information about another program and assume the same relationship is accepted through PCA. That is not always the case.
If the preferred person is not eligible, another qualified relative or close family friend may still be considered. The person receiving care may also be able to receive services from a licensed agency aide.
Who May Qualify Under OPWDD?
The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, commonly known as OPWDD, supports eligible children and adults with qualifying developmental disabilities that began before age 22.
Qualifying conditions may include autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and certain neurological conditions. A diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility. OPWDD may require medical documentation, psychological evaluations, developmental history, and evidence of substantial functional limitations.
Under our current partner-agency workflow, a sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandchild, extended relative, or eligible close family friend may potentially serve as the caregiver.
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.
If the parent cannot be the paid caregiver, the family may consider another eligible relative, a trusted family friend, or a licensed agency aide.
Does Living at the Same Address Affect Eligibility?
The caregiver’s address may 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 partner agencies, including Anchor, may be more flexible depending on the relationship and circumstances.
Because agency requirements differ, Family Caregiver NY screens the living arrangement before connecting the family with a licensed partner. A person should not be automatically rejected solely because they live with the person receiving care. Another agency option may sometimes be available.
What About Adult Children Caring for Parents?
Adult sons and daughters cannot become paid PCA caregivers for their parents through the agency programs we currently work with.
Some families may have heard that adult children can receive payment through CDPAP. CDPAP is a separate Medicaid program with different caregiver rules. Family Caregiver NY does not provide CDPAP enrollment or connect applicants with CDPAP services.
When a family wants PCA Home Care, another eligible relative, close family friend, or licensed agency aide must provide the authorized services.
What Must the Person Receiving Care Qualify For?
For PCA Home Care, the person receiving care must generally be at least 18, live in New York, have Medicaid or be eligible to apply, and require ongoing assistance with daily activities because of a long-term condition or disability.
For OPWDD, the person may be a child or an adult, but the qualifying developmental disability must have begun before age 22.
Medicaid, the applicable health plan, OPWDD, and the licensed agency determine eligibility, authorized services, approved hours, and caregiver acceptance. Family Caregiver NY cannot approve services, guarantee hours, or promise that a particular caregiver will be hired.
How Family Caregiver NY Can Help
Family Caregiver NY helps families understand the relationship rules, identify possible program options, and prepare for the next steps. When the situation appears suitable, we connect the family with a licensed partner agency for formal intake and review.
The agency makes the final decision about caregiver employment and provides the authorized Home Care services.
To discuss your family’s situation, visit our Contact page or complete the Eligibility Form.