Yes. In New York, a relative or trusted friend can be paid to care for a loved one at home. Through the Family PCA/HHA Program at Community Home Care, your chosen caregiver takes free training, becomes a certified Personal Care Aide (PCA) or Home Health Aide (HHA), and is assigned to care for your loved one.
Who can be the paid caregiver?
Almost anyone you trust who is 18 or older and legally authorized to work in the U.S., including:
- Grandchildren
- Brothers and sisters
- Nieces, nephews and cousins
- Aunts and uncles
- Brothers- and sisters-in-law
- Neighbors and close friends
The caregiver cannot be the spouse, parent, child, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the person receiving care.
Who can receive care?
A New York Medicaid recipient, or someone eligible for Medicaid, who needs help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals and moving around, and who lives in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island or Nassau County.
What does the caregiver earn?
Family caregivers earn $22.40 an hour, including benefits: health, vision and dental insurance, retirement, life insurance and other union benefits. PCA/HHA training is free.
How it works
- Call us at (718) 435-8555. Our intake team checks Medicaid.
- Nurse assessment. A nurse assesses your loved one at home.
- Hours approved. Based on the assessment, care hours are approved.
- You get care. Your family member starts after free training, or we send one of our aides.
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, an agency that has served New York families for 47+ years.
Get started
Call (718) 435-8555 or visit our Family PCA/HHA Program page to see if your family qualifies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get paid to take care of my grandmother in New York?
Yes. If your grandmother has Medicaid and needs help at home, a grandchild can take free PCA/HHA training and become her paid aide through Community Home Care.
Which relatives cannot be the paid caregiver?
The spouse, parent, child, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the person receiving care cannot be the paid aide in this program.
How much does a family caregiver earn?
Caregivers in our Family PCA/HHA Program earn $22.40 an hour, including benefits such as health, vision and dental insurance, retirement, life insurance and other union benefits.
How long does it take to start?
Usually anywhere from a few days to about a month, depending on Medicaid approval and training.
