New York · Nassau County
Long Island families on Medicaid can get help at home through a licensed agency, and the person they trust can often be the one hired to provide it. Here is how approval works in Nassau County and where to start. Facts last reviewed October 17, 2026.
The Home Care Agency is a free enrollment matching service — not a home care agency, not a Medicaid plan, and not a government agency. Eligibility and authorized hours are always determined by the state program and your plan.
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The person who needs care must have New York Medicaid, or qualify for it. Medicare alone does not pay for ongoing help at home, though many people have both.
New York then uses an independent assessment — a community health assessment and a clinical visit arranged through the New York Independent Assessor Program — to measure how much help with daily activities the person needs. For assessments on or after September 1, 2025, adults generally must need at least limited physical assistance with more than two activities of daily living; people with a dementia diagnosis, at least supervision with more than one.
Based on that assessment, the Medicaid managed care or Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plan authorizes personal care or home health aide hours. A Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) then employs the aide, trains and certifies them, handles payroll and supervises the care. Hours are set by the assessment and the plan — never by an agency and never by us.
Outside New York City, Medicaid applications go through the county: Nassau County residents apply through the Nassau County Department of Social Services. With Medicaid active, the independent assessment and plan enrollment follow.
Nassau is served by a smaller set of plans and agencies than the five boroughs, so knowing which plan the person has is the first thing we ask. From there we match you with a licensed agency that serves your town.
New York works differently from states with cash-and-counsel programs. Here, the person your family chooses becomes a New York State–certified Home Health Aide (HHA) or Personal Care Aide (PCA) employed by the licensed agency. The agency provides the training and certification, usually at no cost to the caregiver, then handles pay, scheduling support and supervision.
By New York State rule, a spouse, parent, son, daughter, son-in-law or daughter-in-law cannot be the paid aide. A sibling, grandchild, niece or nephew, friend or neighbor often can. If the person you had in mind is excluded, families usually choose another trusted person or accept a certified aide from the agency. Aides must be at least 18 and legally able to work in the U.S.; eligibility for any aide is confirmed during enrollment.
We are the free navigator for the steps families otherwise figure out alone. One short quiz or one call: we ask about Medicaid status, the help that is needed and the county, explain the assessment, and connect you with a licensed, Medicaid-approved home care agency that serves your area. The service is free to families; we are paid a flat marketing fee by the partner agency.
Questions
Program facts were checked against official New York State and local government pages in a review completed October 17, 2026. We do not cite commercial websites, and we are not affiliated with any plan or agency named here. Program rules change; before making decisions, confirm with the program or ask us and we will help you check.
Answer a few questions and we connect you with a licensed, Medicaid-approved home care agency that serves your county. No cost, no obligation.
