Family PCA/HHA Program

Get paid to care for someone you love. A relative or trusted friend can take free training to become a certified PCA or Home Health Aide, join Community Home Care, and be assigned to care for your loved one at home.

Enroll Today Call (718) 435-8555

47+Years Serving NY

20,000+Families Served

$22.40Per Hour With Benefits

FreePCA/HHA Training

Care From Someone You Trust

Get Paid to Care for a Family Member

Many families already have someone they trust to help: a grandchild, sibling, niece, cousin, neighbor or close friend. The Family PCA/HHA Program lets that person do it as a real job, with a paycheck, union benefits and support from our team.

We handle the paperwork and free training, so your caregiver can focus on your loved one. Speak with one of our intake representatives to get started.

Start the Process

Caregiver Pay & Benefits

$22.40 per hour, including benefits
Free PCA/HHA training & certification
Health, vision & dental insurance
Retirement & life insurance
Other union benefits
We handle Medicaid paperwork & eligibility
Flexible scheduling around your loved one
24/7 support team for questions or emergencies

How It Works

Four Simple Steps to Care

1. Call Us

Call (718) 435-8555 or fill out our form. Our intake team checks Medicaid and answers your questions.

2. Nurse Assessment

A nurse assesses your loved one at home to understand their needs.

3. Hours Approved

Based on the assessment, the number of care hours is approved.

4. You Get Care

We send one of our aides, or your family member starts after free PCA/HHA training.

Who Qualifies

Eligibility Made Simple

The Person Receiving Care

A New York Medicaid recipient (or eligible) who needs help with daily activities at home.

The Caregiver

A relative or trusted friend, 18+, legally authorized to work in the U.S., who completes free PCA/HHA training. Not the spouse, parent, child, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the person receiving care.

Service Area

All 5 NYC boroughs and Nassau County.

How Long It Takes

Care can start in a few days to about a month, depending on Medicaid approval and training.

How It Compares

Family PCA/HHA Program vs. CDPAP

	CDPAP (through PPL)	Family PCA/HHA Program
Who employs the caregiver	PPL, the statewide fiscal intermediary	Community Home Care
Caregiver training	Set by the program	Free PCA/HHA training and certification
Adult son or daughter can be paid	Yes	No
Spouse can be paid	No	No
Caregiver pay	Set by the program	$22.40/hour including union benefits
Support	Patient or representative directs care	Our care team supports the family and caregiver

Questions Families Ask

Family PCA/HHA Program FAQ

What is the Family PCA/HHA Program?

It lets a relative or trusted friend become a certified Personal Care Aide (PCA) or Home Health Aide (HHA) with Community Home Care and be assigned to care for your loved one at home. The caregiver is paid, trained and supported by our agency.

Can I get paid to take care of a family member in New York?

Yes, if your loved one has Medicaid and needs help at home, and you are not their spouse, parent, child, son-in-law or daughter-in-law. You complete free PCA/HHA training and then work with Community Home Care as their aide.

Who can be the caregiver?

Almost anyone you trust who is 18 or older and legally authorized to work in the U.S., such as a grandchild, sibling, niece, nephew, cousin, aunt, uncle, neighbor or close friend.

Can my son or daughter be my paid caregiver?

No. In this program the caregiver cannot be the spouse, parent, child, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the person receiving care. A grandchild, sibling or close friend often can.

Can my spouse be my paid caregiver?

No. Spouses cannot be paid aides in the Family PCA/HHA Program.

Who can receive care through the program?

A New York Medicaid recipient (or someone eligible for Medicaid) who needs help with daily activities at home and lives in one of the five NYC boroughs or Nassau County.

I only have Medicare. Can I qualify?

Medicare does not pay for long-term home care like this. The program requires Medicaid. Our intake team can help you check whether you may be eligible.

I have both Medicare and Medicaid. Am I eligible?

Usually, yes. Medicaid is the part that covers this care.

How many hours will my caregiver work?

Hours are set by your Medicaid assessment and plan. We schedule your caregiver for the hours your loved one is approved for.

How soon can care start?

It depends on your Medicaid approval and the caregiver’s training. Care can start in anywhere from a few days to about a month.

Is this the same as CDPAP?

No. CDPAP is now run by one statewide fiscal intermediary. In the Family PCA/HHA Program, your caregiver is employed, trained and supported by Community Home Care.

We were on CDPAP or with another agency. Can we switch?

Call our intake team at (718) 435-8555. If your loved one has Medicaid home care and your caregiver meets the program rules, we will explain how to move care to Community Home Care.

How much does the caregiver earn?

Caregivers earn $22.40 an hour, including benefits: health insurance, vision, dental, retirement, life insurance and other union benefits.

Is the PCA/HHA training free?

Yes. Training is free. Speak with one of our intake representatives to get started.

What do I need to become the caregiver?

You must be 18 or older, legally authorized to work in the U.S., complete the free PCA/HHA training, and pass the required background check and health screening.

What does a PCA or HHA do?

Helps with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, moving around and eating, plus light housekeeping and meal preparation, following a care plan.

How do we get started?

Call (718) 435-8555 or request a free in-home assessment. We check Medicaid eligibility, confirm who can be the caregiver and help them begin free training.

Proudly Serving

Brooklyn Queens Manhattan Bronx Staten Island Nassau County

Turn Care Into a Career

Speak with our intake team today: free, no obligation.

Call (718) 435-8555 Enroll Today

Call us for any question