Can a family member be paid as a caregiver in New York State?

Many families come to us having already been serving as their loved one's primary caregiver for years. The question of whether that work can be compensated is an important one. The answer isn't a simple yes or no; in some cases, it’s feasible but the rules are narrow and vary depending on the program.

What programs allow family members to be paid as caregivers?

CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program), is the most well-known New York State Medicaid-funded program that allows sick or disabled individuals who qualify to hire a caregiver of their choice — including many family members, with restrictions.

The most well-known program is CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program), a New York State Medicaid-funded program that allows individuals who qualify for Medicaid to hire a caregiver of their choice — including many family members. 

CDPAP is generally available to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid, have been assessed as needing help with daily activities or skilled tasks due to a physical disability or medical condition. However, the program has strict restrictions under current NYS regulations: spouses cannot be paid caregivers and parents cannot be paid caregivers of their children under age 21 under this program.

What about individuals with developmental disabilities receiving OPWDD services?

The most robust set of services for individuals with developmental disabilities is the OPWDD program – specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disability or autism. If your family is already connected to OPWDD, the section below applies to you. 

Under standard OPWDD services, family members generally cannot be hired as paid caregivers. Self-direction, however, offers more flexibility: individuals can choose who to hire, and in some situations, relatives who do not live in the same household may be eligible if they meet program requirements.

 For example, a sibling or other relative who does not have the same residential address as the person receiving services may be eligible to work with them through Self-Direction if individual circumstances meet current criteria and program rules. 

From there, approval depends on the individual's budget, the services involved, and current program rules. Because those details shift, the only reliable way to know what's available to your family is to talk through your specific situation with someone who works in this system regularly. 

If you’re caring for a loved one and want to explore whether a family member can be paid as a caregiver, reach out to Hamaspik of Kings County — our team will review your situation, clearly explain your options, and help you find a caregiver arrangement that works well for you.