Everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to CDPAP
New York State is making significant changes to the CDPAP program. Don’t worry—Link Homecare is here to guide you through the transition so you can stay secure, supported, and in control.
Explore your options—contact us today!
Important changes to CDPAP
New York State is restructuring CDPAP and streamlining it through a single provider.
At Link Homecare, we’re dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for both patients and caregivers.
Know your options
Are you currently providing care for a loved one?
Considering becoming a first-time caregiver for someone you know?
We’ll help you find the right option with minimal disruption to your life and theirs.
“I already care for someone I know”
Continue caring for friends or eligible relatives* while also gaining the flexibility to care for additional patients from our agency roster, opening the door to a full-time caregiving career.
We’re offering FREE test prep to help you pass the certification test and become a Home Health Aide (HHA) or Personal Care Assistant (PCA)—no matter which agency you’re with right now.
“I want to start caring for someone I know”
If you’re considering becoming a caregiver for the first time, we’ll help you take the first steps toward a rewarding career. Our FREE training course prepares you to become certified as a Home Health Aide (HHA) or Personal Care Assistant (PCA).
Once certified, you can care for eligible friends or family members* and take on additional patients from our agency’s roster.
Which family members can you care for as an HHA or PCA?
As an HHA or PCA, you can provide care for aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents, and adult children (18+). However, you cannot receive payment to care for your spouse or parent. If you wish to care for non-eligible family members, you can:
- Remain in CDPAP with the single agency that will continue offering the program
- Call a Link representative at 718.843.1333 to explore alternative options
Ready to give or receive care?
A Link representative will gladly guide you through the next steps in your caregiving journey—for you or your loved one.
Your path to certification
FREE training
Caregivers with less than 3 years of experience can enroll in a full training course, while those with 3+ years of experience can join a test prep program designed to help them succeed.
Pass the test
To work as a certified caregiver in New York State, you’ll need to pass a certification test. Don’t worry—our comprehensive training ensures you’re fully prepared to excel.
Start working!
As a certified HHA or PCA, you can care for eligible family members and take on additional patients from our agency roster, opening up opportunities to build a fulfilling and stable caregiving career.
What are my options if I want to get paid to care for a friend or loved one?
If you want to provide paid care for a friend or eligible family member—such as aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, or extended relatives—you can become certified as an HHA (Home Health Aide) or PCA (Personal Care Assistant) with Link Homecare. This certification enables you to care for eligible family members and additional patients from our roster, opening up opportunities for a stable caregiving career.
For non-eligible relatives—spouses, parents, and adult children over the age of 18—you can remain in the CDPAP program through the single agency offering it after April 1, 2025, or call us at 718.843.1333 to discuss other options.
What is the process for becoming a certified HHA or PCA?
- TRAINING:
- If you have less than 3 years of caregiving experience, you’ll need to complete a full training course.
- If you have 3+ years of experience, you can join our free test prep program to help you succeed.
- CERTIFICATION TEST:
After training, you’ll take a state-required certification test to become a certified HHA (Home Health Aide) or PCA (Personal Care Assistant). - START WORKING:
Once certified, you can care for eligible family members and take on additional patients through Link Homecare’s roster, opening doors to a fulfilling caregiving career.
Will I be fully certified after my free training?
To become fully certified, you’ll need to pass a state-required test. Our training program provides the knowledge and preparation to help you succeed.
If you have over 3 years of CDPAP experience, you can skip the training and go directly to the test. We also offer free test preparation to boost your chances of passing.
Which relatives can I care for as an HHA or PCA?
As an HHA or PCA, you can provide care for:
- Aunts and uncles
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Adult children (18+)
However, you cannot receive payment to care for your spouse or parent.
If you’d like to care for non-eligible relatives, you can call us at 718.843.1333 to discuss your options.
I work as a CDPAP caregiver through another agency. What are my options?
If you’re a CDPAP caregiver with another agency, you have two main options:
- Stay in the CDPAP program with the single agency offering it after April 1, 2025. This allows you to continue caring for your current patient or eligible relatives through CDPAP.
- Become a certified HHA (Home Health Aide) or PCA (Personal Care Assistant). Link Homecare is offering free training to help you earn your certification, enabling you to continue caring for eligible family members (excluding parents, spouses, and adult children) and providing you with greater career growth opportunities.
Are there any advantages of becoming an HHA or PCA over choosing CDPAP?
Yes! Becoming certified as an HHA or PCA allows you to start working sooner and build a more stable long-term career:
- More opportunities. Care for eligible patients from our agency, expanding your career options.
- Stable income. Certification provides access to a larger roster of patients, ensuring steady income and more job security compared to CDPAP.
- Faster process. With CDPAP being streamlined through one provider starting April 2025, you may face delays and backlogs, making the process slower.
Ready to give or receive care?
A Link representative will gladly guide you through the next steps in your caregiving journey—for you or your loved one.
