Yes — and that’s exactly what CDPAP is designed for. New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program allows Medicaid-eligible individuals to hire family members, neighbors, or close friends as their paid personal assistant. If your family member qualifies for CDPAP through their Medicaid plan, you can be enrolled as their PA and receive regular paychecks for the care you’re already providing. Almost any family member can serve as a PA — adult child, sibling, parent of an adult consumer, or close friend — as long as you are not also serving as their designated representative.
Ideal CDPAP handles enrollment support and compliance guidance; PPL processes payroll so you can focus on the care itself.

To get paid by Medicaid for being a caregiver through CDPAP, both you and the person you’re caring for need to complete enrollment with PPL, New York’s statewide fiscal intermediary. Your family member selects Ideal CDPAP as their facilitator, completes the MOU, and identifies you as their personal assistant. You complete your PA registration forms, pass a background check, finish required PPL training, and set up the Time4Care app to track your hours electronically. Once fully enrolled, you clock in and out using the app, and PPL processes your payroll on a regular schedule. Ideal CDPAP supports you throughout — from your first form to your first paycheck.

The person receiving care (the consumer) initiates the CDPAP process — not the PA. The consumer needs an active New York Medicaid plan, a physician order for CDPAP services, and a personal assistant in mind. They then contact Ideal CDPAP at 347-315-2402 or submit our online form, and we walk both the consumer and the PA through the full enrollment process with PPL. You can complete registration online through PPL@Home or visit one of our offices for in-person assistance. We’re Available in 14+ languages including Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, English, Fujianese, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu and make the process as simple as possible.

CDPAP personal assistant pay rates are set by New York State and vary by region and Medicaid managed care plan. CDPAP personal assistant pay rates are set by New York State and vary by region and Medicaid managed care plan. As of January 1, 2026: $20.65/hour in NYC (Bronx, Kings, Queens, New York, Richmond), $20.05/hour in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties, and $18.65/hour in all other NY counties. Pay is processed through PPL on a consistent schedule. Pay is processed through PPL on a consistent schedule, with Ideal CDPAP providing payroll support and helping you resolve any issues quickly. Benefits eligibility — including health insurance — may depend on the number of hours worked. Our team will walk you through what to expect at enrollment so there are no surprises.

CDPAP covers personal care and daily living assistance — not skilled medical services. PAs can help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, meal prep, housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation. They cannot perform clinical procedures like administering IV medications, performing wound care, or other tasks that require a licensed healthcare professional. If the consumer requires both personal assistance and skilled nursing services, those are covered under separate programs and can run concurrently.

After completing your registration forms and background check, you’ll complete required PPL training — available online or in person at our offices. You’ll also be set up on the Time4Care app, which you’ll use to clock in and out every shift. The process is designed to be completed digitally, with no piles of paper to mail in. Ideal CDPAP’s team is available throughout to answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and make sure nothing delays your first paycheck. Most PAs are fully onboarded and ready to start within a few weeks of initiating enrollment.

Ideal CDPAP provides ongoing support to active PAs — for timekeeping questions, payroll concerns, documentation requirements, and anything else that comes up. We’re reachable by phone and Available in 14+ languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, English, Fujianese, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu. You’re not handed off to an automated system after enrollment. If something isn’t right with your pay or your hours, we resolve it.