How Much Does CDPAP Pay Caregivers in New York in 2026?

CDPAP pays caregivers between $18.10 and $23.81 per hour in New York in 2026, depending on your county, shift type, and whether you work overtime. In New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, CDPAP caregivers earn $23.81 per hour for regular shifts and $35.72 per hour for overtime. On Long Island and in Westchester, rates run higher - typically $20.22 to $23.81 per hour before overtime kicks in.

Your mother needs help getting dressed every morning. You are already doing it - driving over before work, staying late, skipping your own appointments. And you are doing it for free. Here is the thing: CDPAP would pay you $23.81 an hour in New York City to do exactly what you are already doing. No certifications. No classes. Just you, getting paid for the care you have been providing all along.

2026 CDPAP Pay Rates by Region

CDPAP pay rates are tied to the New York State home care aide minimum wage, which varies by region. These rates are set by the NY Department of Health and updated annually. The table below reflects confirmed 2026 rates from the NY State Department of Health and fiscal intermediary Public Partnerships LLC (PPL).

Source: NY DOH Medicaid reimbursement schedule, effective January 1, 2026. Annual estimate based on 40 hours/week, 52 weeks, no overtime.

How CDPAP Pay Has Changed: 2024 - 2026

Good news if you have been in the program a while - CDPAP rates have gone up every single year since 2022. These increases are driven by statewide minimum wage hikes and Medicaid reimbursement adjustments. Here is how the numbers have changed:

NYC-area rates have increased over 28% in just two years, making CDPAP one of the fastest-growing paid caregiving opportunities in the state.

CDPAP Pay vs. Other Caregiving Jobs in New York

How does CDPAP stack up against other home care and healthcare aide positions? The table below compares the key differences.

Look at those numbers. CDPAP pays more than personal care aide positions and competes with certified roles - and you do not need a single certification to start. No classes. No exams. You work with someone you already know, set your own schedule, and earn overtime. That is hard to beat.

How Does Overtime Work for CDPAP Caregivers?

New York State labor law requires overtime pay at 1.5 times your regular rate after 40 hours in a single work week. For a caregiver earning $23.81 per hour in NYC, that means $35.72 per hour for every hour past 40.

Some important overtime details:

• The 40-hour threshold is per work week, not per day. Working a 12-hour shift doesn't automatically trigger overtime unless your weekly total exceeds 40.
• Live-in caregivers have different rules. If you work a 24-hour live-in shift, you're typically paid for 13 hours (with 11 hours designated for sleep and meals). Overtime rules still apply to your weekly total of paid hours.
• Split shifts may include spread-of-hours pay. If your work day spans more than 10 hours (even with a break in between), you may be entitled to an extra hour of pay at minimum wage.
• Overtime must be authorized. Your fiscal intermediary needs to approve overtime hours based on the patient's approved care plan. Working unapproved overtime can create payment delays.

Who Is Eligible to Be a CDPAP Caregiver?

We get this question all the time: "Do I need a certification?" No. You do not. That is the whole point of CDPAP - it was designed to let patients choose their own caregivers, including family members with zero medical training.

To qualify as a CDPAP caregiver, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Be physically able to perform the required caregiving tasks
• Pass a background check
• Complete a brief health screening (usually a physical exam and TB test)
• Not be the patient's spouse (spouses are excluded under current CDPAP rules)

Adult children, siblings, cousins, friends, and neighbors can all serve as CDPAP caregivers. Parents can be caregivers for adult children with disabilities. The patient (called the "consumer" in CDPAP) is responsible for training, directing, and supervising their caregiver.

Who Is Eligible to Receive CDPAP Services?

The patient side of CDPAP has its own eligibility requirements. To receive CDPAP services as a consumer, you must:

• Be enrolled in Medicaid (or Medicaid plus Medicare)
• Need home care services (personal care, skilled nursing tasks, or both)
• Be able to direct your own care, or have a designated representative who can direct care on your behalf
• Be assessed and approved by your Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plan
• Live in New York State

The assessment process typically involves a nurse visiting your home to evaluate what kind of help you need. Based on that assessment, your MLTC plan authorizes a specific number of hours per week. Those hours determine how much your caregiver will work and earn.

How to Become a CDPAP Caregiver - Step by Step

1. Confirm the patient's eligibility. The person you'll be caring for needs active Medicaid coverage and an approved MLTC plan. If they're not enrolled yet, help them contact their local Department of Social Services.
2. Choose a fiscal intermediary. The fiscal intermediary is the organization that handles your payroll, taxes, and workers' compensation insurance. The patient picks the fiscal intermediary, not the caregiver. There are dozens across New York State.
3. Complete the enrollment paperwork. You'll fill out employment forms (W-4, I-9), consent to a background check, and provide proof of work authorization.
4. Get your health screening. Most fiscal intermediaries require a physical exam and tuberculosis test within 12 months of starting.
5. Start providing care. Once the paperwork clears and the patient's hours are authorized, you can begin. The patient trains you on their specific needs. You log your hours on timesheets submitted to the fiscal intermediary.

The entire process from application to first paycheck usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, though it can be faster if all your documents are ready.

Do CDPAP Caregivers Get Benefits?

Under the current PPL fiscal intermediary system, CDPAP caregivers have access to limited but meaningful benefits:

Tax Implications for CDPAP Caregivers

CDPAP income is treated as W-2 employment. Your fiscal intermediary (PPL) withholds taxes from each paycheck and issues a W-2 at year end. Here is what you owe:

Estimated take-home: A full-time CDPAP caregiver in NYC earning $49,525 annually can expect to take home approximately $37,000 - $40,000 after all taxes, depending on filing status and deductions.

Important: You may be eligible for tax credits that reduce your burden, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if your household income falls below certain thresholds. Consult a tax professional or use the IRS EITC calculator to check your eligibility.

CDPAP Pay Calculator

Enter your hours and region to estimate your weekly, monthly, and annual CDPAP earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be a CDPAP caregiver for my parent?

Yes. Adult children are one of the most common CDPAP caregivers. You can be paid to care for your mother, father, or any other family member except your spouse. Your parent must be enrolled in Medicaid and approved for CDPAP through their MLTC plan.

Do CDPAP caregivers pay taxes on their earnings?

Yes. CDPAP income is taxable. Your fiscal intermediary withholds federal and state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from each paycheck. You receive a W-2 at the end of the year and report the income on your tax return like any other job.

How many hours per week can a CDPAP caregiver work?

The number of hours depends on the patient's approved care plan. Some consumers are approved for as few as 8 hours per week, while others qualify for 24/7 live-in care. The MLTC plan sets the hours based on the patient's medical needs. Overtime pay applies after 40 hours per week.

What happens to CDPAP pay if the minimum wage increases again?

CDPAP rates are adjusted when New York updates its Medicaid reimbursement schedules, which typically follow minimum wage increases. When the state minimum wage goes up, CDPAP rates have historically increased within the same calendar year, though the exact timing depends on state budget decisions.

Can I work as a CDPAP caregiver and keep my Medicaid benefits?

It depends on your total household income. CDPAP earnings count as income for Medicaid eligibility purposes. If your earnings push you above Medicaid's income threshold, you could lose your own coverage. Talk to your local benefits counselor before starting to understand how caregiver income affects your specific situation.

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