New York · Questions
Three things decide whether someone qualifies for a Medicaid home attendant in New York: Medicaid coverage, the result of the state’s independent assessment, and the plan’s authorization that follows. Here is what each one requires. 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.
The person needing care must have New York State Medicaid or qualify for it. Medicare alone does not qualify; many people have both and are covered. Financial eligibility is determined by the Medicaid program — not by us and not by any agency.
Inside New York City, applications go through the Human Resources Administration; elsewhere, through the county Department of Social Services.
Eligibility for personal care is confirmed through an independent community health assessment and a clinical appointment arranged through the New York Independent Assessor Program, repeated at least annually.
For assessments on or after September 1, 2025, adults seeking personal care generally must be assessed as needing at least limited physical assistance with more than two activities of daily living — bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, walking, eating — and people with a dementia diagnosis at least supervision with more than one. People already receiving services stay under the prior criteria.
After the assessment, services are authorized by the person’s Medicaid managed care or Managed Long Term Care plan (or, in some cases, the local social services district), and a licensed agency is engaged to provide the aide. Adults who need community-based long-term care for more than 120 days are generally enrolled in a Managed Long Term Care plan.
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.
