Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)
About the Program
CDPAP services empower Medicaid-eligible recipients to stay independent and receive care at home from someone they choose and train.
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or "CDPAP", is a New York State Medicaid program that allows Medicaid members who are eligible for home care services to choose and hire their own personal caregiver, or "personal assistant". This can include a friend or family member, as long as they are not the Medicaid member's spouse, their designated representative or the parent of a CDPAP consumer under the age of 21.
CDPAP provides services to chronically ill or physically disabled individuals who have a medical need for help with daily activities or who require skilled nursing services. The CDPAP services provided by a personal assistant can include any of the services normally provided by a personal care aide (home attendant), home health aide, or nurse.
As of September 1, 2025, changes were implemented to the eligibility requirements for Personal Care Services and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services. These changes are called the Minimum Needs Requirements.
CDPAP offers recipients the flexibility and freedom in choosing their caregivers.
Eligibility For CDPAP Services
To be eligible for CDPAP services, and individual must:
- be eligible for NYS Medicaid;
- have a stable medical condition;
- have a determined need for home-care services using a state approved assessment tool;
- Meet the Minimum Needs Requirements if age 21 or over; and
- be capable of self-directing or having a designated representative who can make decisions on the individual's behalf.
CDPAP Program Requirements
The CDPAP recipient or their designated representative) is responsible for:
- Recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and terminating personal assistants;
- Arranging back–up coverage when necessary;
- Arranging and coordinating other services;
- Keeping personal assistant payroll records; and
- Working with the CDPAP Fiscal Intermediary (FI) to process payroll for services received.
Statewide Fiscal Intermediary
The Statewide Fiscal Intermediary assists with administrative services such as:
- processing the personal assistant's wages and benefits,
- processing the personal assistant's income tax and other required wage withholdings, and
- maintaining the required employment records for the personal assistant.
Public Partnership LLC (PPL) is the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary for New York State CDPAP. All CDPAP recipients are required to work with PPL as their Fiscal Intermediary.
The Minimum Needs Requirements
The Minimum Needs Requirement apply to Medicaid recipients age 21 or older, seeking Personal Care Services (PCS) and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS). This requirement also applies to all Medicaid recipients aged 18 and older who want to enroll in a Medicaid Advantage Plan (MAP) or Managed Long Term Care Plan (MLTCP). The Minimum Needs Requirements applies to initial assessments and subsequent reassessment that occurred on or after September 1, 2025.
To meet the Minimum Needs Requirements individuals must be:
- assessed as needing at least limited assistance with physical maneuvering with more than two Activities of Daily Living; or
- for individuals with a Dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, assessed as needing at least supervision with more than one Activity of Daily Living.
The Minimum Needs Requirement does not apply to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollment. This requirement does not apply to individuals who were authorized or receiving PCS/CDPAS and/or were continuously enrolled in an MLTC plan as of September 1, 2025. These individuals continue to be eligible under the previous criteria.
For more information about the Minimum Needs Criteria, please refer to the links below:
Resources
- 25 OHIP/ADM - 03 (PDF) - Revised August 22, 2025: New Minimum Needs Requirements for Personal Care Services (PCS) and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) Eligibility
- Revised August 22, 2025: New Minimum Needs Requirements for Personal Care Services (PCS), Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) and Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) Eligibility - (PDF) - (Web) - 6.30.2025
- MLTC Policy 25.04: Minimum Needs Requirement Update to the Eligibility Requirements for Managed Long Term Care Enrollment - 6.30.2025
- Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia Form (DOH-5821) (PDF)
Statewide FI Transition Information
Public Partnership LLC (PPL) is the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary for New York State CDPAP. All CDPAP recipients are required to work with PPL as their Fiscal Intermediary.
- Continue Your CDPAP Services with PPL (PDF) Español - عربى - Bেঙলি - 简体中文 - Kreyòl Ayisyen - 한국어 - Polski - русский - 繁體中文 - יידיש
- CDPAP Registration Flyer - English - Español (PDF).
CDPAP Consumer Materials
Consumers may contact PPL or one of their facilitators for assistance.
- There are a variety to ways to contact PPL: How To Register With PPL (PDF).
- Alternatively, consumers may contact their Managed Care Organization (MCO) or Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) for assistance: Guidance for Consumers - Seeking Assistance with PPL Registration. (PDF)
- All inquiries regarding CDPAP and the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary should be directed to Public Partnership LLC (PPL) at 1-833-247-5346. Consumers may also contact their Managed Care Plan or Local Department of Social Services (LDSS). Consumers who still need assistance after contacting PPL and/or their Managed Care Plan/LDSS may contact the Department during standard business hours at 1-866-712-7197 if they are enrolled in a managed care plan or 518-474-5888 if they are not enrolled in a managed care plan and work with their LDSS. To contact the department via email, please use statewideFI@health.ny.gov.
- CDPAP Consumer Trifold Brochure (PDF) - Español - عربى - Bেঙলি - 繁體中文 - Kreyòl Ayisyen - 한국어 - русский - 简体中文 - יידיש
- Vist the PPL CDPAP Resources webpage to browse videos, guides, and other materials on timekeeping, payroll, benefits, and more.
- Consumers who would like to work with a CDPAP Facilitator, please complete the Optional Facilitator Selection Form. English - Español - (PDF)
- There are many resources and supports available. See the CDPAP Resources for Consumers for information on additional resources. (PDF) - English - Español
CDPAP Caregiver Materials
- FAQ: CDPAP Caregiver Healthcare Benefit Options Offered by PPL - (PDF) Updated 4/25/2025
- Vist the PPL CDPAP Resources webpage to browse videos, guides, and other materials on timekeeping, payroll, benefits, and more.
Facilitated Enroller Training Materials
Understanding the Differences Between CDPAP and Personal Care Services (PCS)
CDPAP and PCS are both Medicaid services that provide home care for individuals who need assistance. The goals of both programs are the same: to assist consumers with maintaining their independence and remaining in their home. However, the types of services that can be provided and who can provide these services are different. Consumers should understand these differences before making a choice between CDPAP and PCS.
More informaiton on the differences between these programs can be found in the documents below:
- A Brief Summary: Understanding the Differences Between: The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) and Personal Care Services (PCS) (PDF)
- Factsheet: What to Know About: Differences Between the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) and Personal Care Services (PCS) (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please visit the FAQ Section on the PPL Website for answers to your most frequesntly asked questions on the transition.
Additional Minimum Needs Requirement Resources
Managed Long Term Care Webinar:
Medicaid Managed Care Plan Webinar:
Local Department of Social Services Webinar:
NYS Department of Health CDPAP Webpages:
Contact Information
Questions regarding the Consumer Directed Personal Assitance Program may be directed to StatewideFI@health.ny.gov
The Truth About the CDPAP Transition
"There have been rumors, lies, and misrepresentation about the transition, and you deserve to know the truth."
A Public Service Annoucement from New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
- TRUTH: Your CDPAP eligibility and services are NOT changing. New Yorkers currently enrolled in CDPAP will keep their home care services after the transition.
- TRUTH: You can keep using your trusted caregiver. Your personal assistants will also need to transition to PPL to receive timely payments for providing your care.
- TRUTH: The transition is continuing. You DO need to take action as soon as possible.
March 5, 2025 - 5 Facts About the CDPAP Transition (PDF)
February 4, 2025 - Commissioner James McDonald issues Letter to Consumers: CDPAP Facts. (PDF)
