Understanding CDPAP: The Freedom to Choose Your Own CareGiver

by Jenn

Families need help to care for elderly parents at home or children with special needs. What if a family member suffers injuries that leave them permanently in need of care? A program in New York called Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program or CDPAP helps families care for their special needs members at home and get paid for it. This helps family members who dedicate themselves to caring for a family member with the financial assistance they need to make ends meet.

What is CDPAP?

Some families do not want strangers to take care of their loved ones. With a little help, they can provide the care themselves. But, it might mean giving up a job or making other financial sacrifices. CDPAP stands for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It is a medical assistance program in New York state that helps people with disabilities get daily help with living activities they need from people they choose such as family members. Help understanding cdpap is available online and with companies that assist people with the program.

Who is Eligible for this Program?

A person or their parents or guardians can choose their own caregivers by taking responsibility for finding, hiring, training, directing, and if necessary terminating persona; assistants. The family members eligible to act as assistants are parents ( if the person is over 21), siblings, grandparents, and cousins. Others that can be assistants are neighbors, friends of the family or any person that parents feel can give their child good care at home.

This state program is available to individuals who are on Medicaid and there are requirements to determine eligibility. This is a financial aid program that helps families and individuals self-direct care. The applicant must be on Medicaid, prove they need home care, and be self-directing or have a representative who can direct that care. The individuals who can benefit include people who are chronically ill, or physically disabled who need skilled nursing services or assistance with daily living activities.

The family doctor must provide a Physician’s order for Services to the local social services district or office. This form and a nurse assessor decides if the person is eligible for the program and the amount, duration, and frequency of the needed services.

Who Pays For the Program?

Medicaid pays for the program and there are fiscal intermediary companies to help families make this program work. The chosen caregivers, when approved, get paid to care for the individual rather than working for free. Parents or representatives of the individual needing care get assistance in creating a budget that covers the money allotted for all the aspects of the child or individual’s care and well-being.

The family must determine and confirm which type of Medicaid they receive. This can be managed care or regular Medicaid. The paperwork and decisions to set up the program can be daunting for families. But, it is worth it to have the best care for the child or other individual who needs the services. This program has requirements for the recipients including being able or willing to make informed choices, find and hire caregivers, and making and keeping payroll records.

Families have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by investigating this program and applying for assistance and help in caring for a loved one who is eligible and wants more of a say in who helps with their daily care. Caring for a family member with disabilities no longer must be a financial burden.

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