New Yorkers should ask how to complete PPL registration before work starts, how wages and weekly pay work, and what PPL does not handle. They should also ask whether they meet current eligibility rules and who can serve as the paid caregiver.
CDPAP means Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It lets a Medicaid-eligible person with a medical need for home care hire their own assistant. PPL means Public Partnerships LLC, the fiscal company that processes pay and tax records for those assistants.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Official resources:
- Check eligibility on Ny’s official study page — Use this page to check the study’s participation requirements.
- Register through Ny’s official page — Use this page to review requirements and register directly.
Table of Contents
- Do we meet eligibility rules now?
- Who can be the paid caregiver?
- How do we register with PPL?
- How will pay and timekeeping work?
- What will PPL not do?
Do we meet eligibility rules now?
The New York Department of Health says CDPAP serves Medicaid-eligible people who are chronically ill or disabled and need home care or skilled nursing, as described on the CDPAP program page. The consumer directs care. That means the consumer hires, trains, supervises, and can dismiss the assistant. New applicants should ask the enrolling agency whether they meet the Minimum Needs Requirements. New York added these requirements for Personal Care and CDPAP effective Sept.
1, 2025. For dementia care, ask what assessment proves need for supervision with daily tasks and safety. If needs change, ask when reassessment happens and what proof to bring. Ask what authorization is needed before hours start. Do not start paid shifts until eligibility and authorization are clear.
Who can be the paid caregiver?
The New York Department of Health says a spouse, the consumer's designated representative, or a parent of a consumer under age 21 cannot serve as that consumer's paid assistant, as stated on the CDPAP program page. Other adult family members or friends can fill the role. This matters when a spouse manages decisions but cannot take the paid shifts. For dementia, consistency helps.
Many families choose an adult child, sibling, niece or nephew, or trusted friend who knows the person's habits. Ask whether that person meets PPL work rules and can pass required health checks. Ask what happens if the chosen assistant is unavailable. Name a second candidate early so coverage does not lapse.
- Cannot be paid: spouse, designated representative, parent of a child consumer under 21
- Often can be paid: other adult relatives, friends, neighbors
How do we register with PPL?
The New York Department of Health says both consumers and assistants must register with PPL before paid work begins, through phone, PPL@Home online, in person, or with a facilitator, according to the January 2025 transition announcement. PPL is now the only authorized fiscal intermediary in New York. Families no longer shop among hundreds of prior intermediaries. Call 1-833-247-5346 if phone enrollment is easiest.
Use PPL@Home for online forms and documents. Ask for a facilitator if paperwork, language access, or technology is a barrier. For a person with dementia, ask who can sign and who can act as designated representative. Bring identification, Medicaid details, and contact information for both consumer and assistant. Ask for written proof that both registrations are complete before the first shift.
How will pay and timekeeping work?
PPL's 2026 minimum base wages rose 55 cents per hour on Jan. 1, 2026, according to Public Partnerships LLC in the PPL New York FAQ. Ask which rate applies to the home address and whether any wage parity or add-ons change the check. PPL pays weekly on Thursdays by direct deposit or check, with time due by 11:59 p.m.
ET Saturday and consumer approval by noon ET Sunday, as explained in PPL's resources for personal assistants. Clock-in uses the Time4Care electronic visit verification app. Ask who approves time when the consumer cannot use the app alone. Practice one full pay cycle during enrollment. Ask how to fix a missed clock-in, a rejected entry, or a late approval before payday passes.
- $20.65 per hour in New York City boroughs
- $20.05 per hour in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester
- $18.65 per hour elsewhere in the state
What will PPL not do?
PPL handles payroll, tax withholding, and employment records. It does not recruit, schedule, or train caregivers. Families still manage daily tasks, routines, and supervision.
Ask the enrolling agency about facilitators, health assessments, plan authorizations, and backup coverage. For dementia care, ask how to document supervision needs, wandering risk, and night needs. Keep a one-page backup plan with contacts, medications, and daily routine.
