What Happened to CDPAP in New York?

If you or someone in your family relied on CDPAP in New York, you probably remember the confusion surrounding the changes in 2025. Caregivers were told to register with a new company, agencies stopped handling payroll, and many families were unsure whether their home care services would continue.

The important thing to understand is that CDPAP did not end. The way the program is administered changed.

Today, New Yorkers still have access to CDPAP through Public Partnerships LLC (PPL). However, depending on their circumstances, families may also qualify for other Medicaid-funded home care services, including PCA Home Care, HHA services, and programs administered through OPWDD.

Here is what changed and what families should know before choosing their next step.

What Happened to CDPAP in New York in 2025?

For years, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) allowed eligible Medicaid recipients to select and manage their own caregivers, including certain family members and friends.

Hundreds of fiscal intermediaries handled administrative responsibilities such as payroll and employment paperwork.

Under changes approved in New York’s 2024 state budget, the state moved to a single statewide fiscal intermediary.

On April 1, 2025, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) became the statewide fiscal intermediary responsible for CDPAP payroll and related administrative services.

This meant existing consumers and personal assistants had to transition from their previous fiscal intermediaries to PPL.

Although the transition affected thousands of families and caregivers, the underlying CDPAP program remained available.

Is CDPAP Still Available in New York?

Yes. CDPAP continues to operate in New York through PPL.

Eligible Medicaid recipients can still receive consumer-directed personal assistance and select qualifying caregivers under the program’s rules.

The transition to PPL did not eliminate CDPAP or automatically change who could qualify as a personal assistant.

However, families must follow the current enrollment, authorization, and administrative requirements.

For official CDPAP information or enrollment assistance, visit PPL’s CDPAP website.

Family Caregiver NY does not process CDPAP enrollment. Our services focus on helping eligible New York families explore other home care options.

What Are the Alternatives to CDPAP in New York?

CDPAP is not the only Medicaid-funded option for receiving care at home.

Two important alternatives are agency-managed PCA/HHA Home Care and services available through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

These programs have different eligibility requirements, caregiver rules, and enrollment procedures.

PCA Home Care: An Alternative for Adults Who Need Daily Assistance

Personal Care Aide (PCA) Home Care provides assistance to eligible adults who need ongoing help with everyday activities because of a disability, illness, or long-term medical condition.

Services may include help with bathing, dressing, walking, transferring, preparing meals, and other approved daily activities.

Unlike CDPAP, PCA services are delivered through home care agencies that employ, train, and supervise their caregivers.

In certain situations, an eligible family member or close friend may become the patient’s paid caregiver through a licensed agency.

Potential caregivers may include siblings, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and close family friends.

However, caregiver relationships must be reviewed carefully. Spouses, adult sons and daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and legal guardians are not accepted as caregivers under our PCA placement pathway.

Caregivers must also meet agency hiring requirements, including applicable training, certification, and health screening.

For applicants without prior experience, participating agencies may provide free PCA training. Some qualified applicants may have accelerated certification options, depending on their experience and agency requirements.

PCA employment can also provide opportunities to work with additional patients and develop a longer-term career in home care.

HHA Home Care: When Additional Caregiver Training Is Needed

Some patients may require services provided by a Home Health Aide (HHA) rather than a PCA.

The appropriate level of assistance depends on the patient’s condition, care plan, and authorized services.

Family Caregiver NY works with vetted, reliable, licensed home care agencies that can provide qualified PCA and HHA caregivers.

Families do not necessarily need to identify their own caregiver. An agency-provided aide may be available when an appropriate family caregiver cannot participate.

OPWDD: Another Alternative for Children and Adults With Developmental Disabilities

For families caring for someone with a developmental disability, OPWDD may provide another pathway to home and community-based support.

The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities supports qualifying individuals with conditions such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and certain other developmental disabilities.

Unlike standard adult PCA services, OPWDD programs may serve both children and adults.

Eligibility generally requires a qualifying developmental disability that began before age 22, along with other applicable criteria.

Depending on the individual’s eligibility, approved services, and provider arrangements, certain relatives or other qualified individuals may be able to work as paid support staff.

Caregiver restrictions apply. In our OPWDD placement pathway, parents, including parents of adult children, and legal guardians are not accepted as paid caregivers.

OPWDD services are not identical to CDPAP, and receiving an OPWDD eligibility determination does not automatically guarantee paid family caregiving.

Nevertheless, OPWDD is an important option for families who need ongoing disability-related support.

How Do You Know Which Home Care Program Is Right for Your Family?

The right program depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, medical condition, Medicaid coverage, location, and relationship to the person who wants to provide care.

For example, an older adult who needs assistance with bathing and mobility may qualify for PCA Home Care.

A child or adult with a qualifying developmental disability may be eligible for services through OPWDD.

Families who need an agency-provided caregiver rather than a relative may also have options through licensed PCA or HHA providers.

Before beginning an application, it is important to confirm that the patient’s needs and the proposed caregiver relationship fit the program’s requirements.

Not sure whether PCA or OPWDD is appropriate? Visit FamilyCaregiverNY.com to request an initial eligibility screening.

Get Help Exploring PCA and OPWDD Home Care Options

At Family Caregiver NY, we help New York families understand their options and connect eligible patients with top, vetted, reliable licensed home care agencies.

Our enrollment support focuses on PCA/HHA Home Care and OPWDD services, including reviewing potential caregiver eligibility and helping families navigate the next steps.

We begin with a few basic questions about your relationship to the patient, where the patient lives, Medicaid coverage, and whether the patient has an ongoing medical condition or developmental disability.

If the case appears to meet our initial requirements, we can guide you toward the appropriate eligibility process.

There is no cost for an initial screening, and eligibility or service approval is not guaranteed.

Ready to explore your options?

Visit FamilyCaregiverNY.com/contact or call 929-660-2391.

Disclaimer: CDPAPHC.com is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with PPL or the New York State Department of Health. We do not process CDPAP applications or enrollment. Information about PCA, HHA, and OPWDD is provided for general guidance. Final eligibility, caregiver employment, and service authorization decisions are made by the appropriate agencies and programs.