New York caregiver benefits
Last checked: May 18, 2026
If you care for a parent, spouse, adult child, relative, friend, or neighbor in New York, respite care may give you a short break while the person you care for is supervised. Some respite is free or low-cost through aging programs, Medicaid, VA care, adult day services, or local caregiver programs. The right first call depends on the person’s age, Medicaid status, veteran status, disability, and county.
Quick answer
In New York, the fastest first call for most family caregivers is NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 or the local Office for the Aging. Ask for caregiver respite, a caregiver assessment, and any respite voucher or adult day service options in your county.
If the person you care for has Medicaid long-term care, call the Medicaid plan, MLTC plan, PACE team, care manager, or local DSS/HRA office and ask for respite, adult day services, or a reassessment of home care needs. If the person is a veteran enrolled in VA care, call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 and ask for the local Caregiver Support Program team and VA respite options.
Start here
- Call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871. Say: “I am a family caregiver in New York and I need respite care. Can you connect me with my local Office for the Aging or caregiver support program?”
- Ask for a caregiver assessment. Also ask if your county has a respite voucher, in-home respite, adult day services, or caregiver-directed respite through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
- If Medicaid or VA is involved, call that office too. Medicaid and VA routes may pay for different services than aging programs.
Rules can change. Counties, managed care plans, waiver contractors, and agencies may use different names for the same kind of help. Always confirm with the official New York office, plan, or agency handling the case.
Free and low-cost respite routes in New York
Respite means short-term care so the usual caregiver can rest, work, go to an appointment, sleep, handle a family need, or recover from stress. It can happen at home, at an adult day program, in a facility for a short stay, or through another approved setting.
Who pays depends on the program. In New York, respite may be paid by a local aging office, the State Respite Program, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Medicaid, a Medicaid waiver, a managed long-term care plan, VA health care, or private pay. Some programs have waitlists or limited funds.
| Route | Who it may help | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| NY Connects and local Office for the Aging | Older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers who need local long-term care options | Call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 and ask for your local Office for the Aging or caregiver support program |
| NYSOFA respite and National Family Caregiver Support Program | Family caregivers of adults age 60 or older, people with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, and some older relative caregivers | Ask the local Office for the Aging for caregiver respite, caregiver-directed respite, or a respite voucher |
| Medicaid long-term care, MLTC, PACE, CDPAP, NHTD, TBI, or OPWDD paths | People who qualify for Medicaid long-term services, certain waivers, developmental disability services, or approved home care | Call the Medicaid plan, MLTC plan, PACE team, care manager, local DSS, or HRA in New York City |
| VA respite | Veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet clinical need for respite or adult day health respite | Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or ask the VA social worker |
| Adult day care or adult day health care | Adults who need supervision, meals, social care, hands-on help, or health-related day services | Ask NY Connects, the local Office for the Aging, the Medicaid plan, or the VA team |
| New York Paid Family Leave | Eligible workers who need paid, job-protected time off to care for a close family member with a serious health condition | Ask your employer or its Paid Family Leave insurance carrier for Forms PFL-1, PFL-3, and PFL-4 |
Area Agency on Aging route
For many New York families, the local Office for the Aging is the best first door. These offices are also called Area Agencies on Aging, or AAAs. They help older New Yorkers and caregivers find home and community services.
The New York State Office for the Aging says all local offices for the aging provide respite services. These services may be funded through the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the State Respite Program, Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program, or other local funds.
Do not ask only for “help.” Use the word respite. Also ask for caregiver support, a caregiver assessment, and adult day services.
Phone script for NY Connects or the local aging office
“Hi, I care for my [mother/spouse/father/relative/friend] in [county]. I need respite care because I cannot keep doing the current schedule safely. Can you screen us for caregiver respite, a respite voucher, adult day services, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program?”
Then ask: “Is there a caregiver coordinator I can speak with? What papers do you need from me?”
Who may qualify through aging programs
Eligibility can vary by program and county. In general, the aging network may help:
- Adult family caregivers caring for someone age 60 or older.
- Family caregivers caring for someone of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.
- Older relatives caring for children or certain adults with disabilities.
- Caregivers of frail adults or adults with disabilities who need help with daily needs or regular supervision.
Some programs give priority to people age 60 or older, people with higher care needs, caregivers under heavy stress, and people at risk of nursing home placement. Ask the county how it sets priorities.
What the aging route may offer
The exact help can differ by county and funding. It may include in-home respite, adult day services, caregiver counseling, support groups, caregiver training, case management, help finding services, or limited extra supports that help the care plan work.
Some respite is not immediate. A county may need to screen the person, review income or need, confirm the caregiver role, and check local funding. Ask for the expected next step before you end the call.
Medicaid respite
New York Medicaid can be an important respite route, but it is not always labeled as “respite.” A Medicaid plan may cover home care, personal care, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services, adult day health care, social adult day care through managed long-term care, or waiver services that give the caregiver a break.
If the person already has Medicaid home care or Managed Long Term Care, call the care manager or plan member services first. Ask for a reassessment if the current hours or services no longer keep the person safe or if the caregiver is burning out.
Important New York Medicaid warning
Do not assume that every Medicaid member can get respite right away. Medicaid coverage depends on the person’s eligibility, assessment, plan, waiver, county process, and service plan. Ask for the rule in writing if the answer is no.
Managed Long Term Care, PACE, and adult day services
Managed Long Term Care is for people who are chronically ill or disabled and need long-term services so they can stay in the community. New York lists community-based long-term services such as home care and adult day care under MLTC. The MLTC program includes MLTC Partial Capitation, Medicaid Advantage Plus, and PACE.
For caregiver relief, ask the plan about:
- Adult day health care or social adult day care.
- A change in home care schedule.
- Temporary added support after a hospital stay or decline.
- Whether the care plan should be reassessed.
- Plan appeal rights if services are denied, reduced, or delayed.
CDPAP and family caregivers
New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, often called CDPAP or CDPAS, lets some Medicaid members who are eligible for home care choose and direct their own personal assistant. This can include some friends or family members, but not every family member is allowed. New York says a personal assistant cannot be the Medicaid member’s spouse, designated representative, or the parent of a CDPAP consumer under age 21.
CDPAP is not the same thing as respite. It may help the family build a paid care plan if the person qualifies, but it does not automatically give the unpaid caregiver a break. If your main question is whether a family caregiver can be paid, also read Can I Get Paid to Be a Caregiver? and try the caregiver pay quiz.
NHTD and TBI waivers
New York also has Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver paths. The Nursing Home Transition and Diversion waiver is for certain Medicaid-eligible seniors and people with physical disabilities who can live in the community with supports. The Traumatic Brain Injury waiver is for certain people with a traumatic brain injury. Federal Medicaid waiver listings show respite as a service in the NHTD and TBI waiver descriptions.
If you think one of these waivers may fit, ask NY Connects, the local DSS/HRA office, or the Regional Resource Development Center about the application steps. You can also read Medicaid HCBS Waivers Explained.
OPWDD respite for developmental disabilities
If the person has a developmental disability and is connected to New York’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, ask the care manager about OPWDD respite. OPWDD says respite can be in the home or out of the home, during the day, evening, or overnight.
If Medicaid is not approved yet
If the person is not on Medicaid but may need long-term care, contact the local Department of Social Services. In New York City, this usually means HRA. Ask how to apply for Medicaid long-term care or home care services.
If income is too high, ask about Medicaid spend-down. Start here: Medicaid Spend-Down. If nursing home Medicaid may be needed soon, read Medicaid Look-Back Period before moving money or property.
VA respite
If the person you care for is a veteran, VA may be one of the best places to ask for respite. VA lists three formal respite options: in-home respite, adult day health respite, and nursing home respite. VA says services can vary by location, and a copay may apply based on the veteran’s situation.
Start by calling the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. Ask to be connected with the local Caregiver Support Program team at the veteran’s VA medical center. You can also ask the veteran’s VA primary care team, social worker, or case manager.
Phone script for VA respite
“I am caring for a veteran enrolled in VA care. I need to ask about respite because I need a safe break and help with coverage. Can you connect me with the Caregiver Support Program team or the VA social worker for respite options?”
Ask whether the veteran may be considered for in-home respite, adult day health respite, nursing home respite, homemaker and home health aide care, or other VA home and community services. If the household also needs help with the cost of care, read VA Aid and Attendance.
Adult day care
Adult day care can be respite because someone else supervises the person for part of the day. It may help when the caregiver works, needs sleep, has errands, or cannot leave the person alone safely.
New York has social adult day services and adult day health care. Social adult day services may include supervision, social activities, meals, nutrition, monitoring, and hands-on help with mobility, eating, toileting, or incontinence care. Adult day health care is more medical and is overseen by the New York State Department of Health.
Costs vary. Some people may get help through the local Office for the Aging. Some Medicaid members may access adult day services through a managed long-term care plan. VA may also use adult day health respite for eligible veterans.
Questions to ask before choosing a day program
- Can you handle dementia, wandering risk, incontinence, transfers, or special diets?
- Is transportation included or arranged?
- What days and hours are open?
- Can Medicaid, MLTC, VA, or the aging office pay for any part?
- What paperwork is needed from the doctor?
- What happens if the person refuses to attend after the first day?
To compare the cost of adult day care with home care or other options, use the care cost calculator.
How to ask for respite
Many families are told “we do not have that” because they ask too broadly. Be direct. Say what is happening, what safety risk exists, and what type of break you need.
Step 1: Say the problem clearly
Use plain words:
- “I cannot leave him alone safely.”
- “I have not slept through the night because she gets up and wanders.”
- “I need to go to my own medical appointments.”
- “I am at risk of losing my job.”
- “The current care plan is not enough.”
Step 2: Ask for specific options
Ask about:
- In-home respite.
- Out-of-home respite.
- Adult day services.
- A respite voucher.
- A caregiver assessment.
- A reassessment of Medicaid home care hours.
- VA respite or adult day health respite.
- Emergency caregiver support.
Step 3: Ask what happens next
Before you end the call, ask:
- “Who is assigned to this request?”
- “When should I expect a call back?”
- “Do you need a doctor’s note?”
- “Is there a waitlist?”
- “If there is no funding, who else should I call?”
- “Can you send me the decision or next step in writing?”
Documents to gather
- Photo ID for the person needing care and the caregiver, if requested.
- Medicaid card, Medicare card, VA card, or insurance cards.
- Diagnosis list and doctor contact information.
- Medication list.
- List of daily care needs, such as bathing, dressing, transfers, meals, toileting, memory supervision, wandering risk, and overnight needs.
- Hospital discharge papers, recent care plan, or home care plan, if any.
- Any denial, reduction, or notice from Medicaid, MLTC, HRA, DSS, or a plan.
- Proof of income or assets if applying for Medicaid or a cost-based program.
- Power of attorney, health care proxy, guardianship papers, or representative forms, if used.
- Your work schedule or medical appointment dates if you need a break on certain days.
For a printable list, use caregiver checklists.
What to do if the first answer is no
A first “no” may mean there is no funding that day, the wrong office answered, the person did not meet that program’s rule, or the request was not specific enough. Try these steps:
- Ask for the reason in writing.
- Ask whether another program name applies in your county.
- Ask for a supervisor or caregiver coordinator.
- Call NY Connects and ask for other respite or adult day options.
- If Medicaid services were denied, reduced, or delayed, ask the plan about its grievance or appeal process.
- If a local social services decision is wrong, ask about a New York State fair hearing.
Use caregiver phone scripts if you need help wording the call.
If you need help this week
If there is immediate danger, call 911. If you or the person you care for may hurt yourself or someone else, call or text 988 for crisis support.
If an adult is unsafe because of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation, contact Adult Protective Services. New York State lists 1-844-697-3505 for adult abuse reports within New York State during posted weekday hours. You can also contact the local county social services department’s Adult Protective Services bureau. In New York City, Adult Protective Services is handled through HRA.
If the issue is not an emergency but you cannot continue the care schedule, call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 and say the situation is urgent. Ask for the local Office for the Aging, respite, adult day services, and any emergency caregiver support.
When to ask for urgent help
- The person cannot be left alone and you have no safe backup.
- You are missing your own medical care.
- You are too tired to safely lift, transfer, drive, cook, or manage medicines.
- The person is wandering, falling, refusing needed care, or becoming unsafe at night.
- You feel close to yelling, shaking, hitting, leaving, or giving up care without a plan.
New York Paid Family Leave can help some working caregivers
Paid Family Leave is not a respite program. It does not pay for an aide or adult day program. But it may help an eligible worker take paid, job-protected time away from work to care for a close family member with a serious health condition.
New York says Paid Family Leave may be used to care for a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling. For 2026, New York lists up to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave at 67 percent of average weekly wage, up to the state cap.
To ask for family care leave, New York lists Forms PFL-1, PFL-3, and PFL-4. The family member’s health care provider must complete the medical certification form. If you are unsure whether leave affects your taxes, read caregiver tax deductions and speak with a qualified tax professional.
FAQ
What is respite care?
Respite care is temporary substitute care or supervision. It lets the regular caregiver take a short break while the person who needs care is watched or helped.
Who should I call first in New York?
For most families, call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 and ask for the local Office for the Aging or caregiver support program. If the person has Medicaid long-term care, also call the plan or care manager. If the person is a veteran, call the VA Caregiver Support Line.
Does Medicaid always pay for respite in New York?
No. Medicaid respite depends on the person’s program, assessment, waiver, care plan, and plan rules. Some services may be called home care, adult day health care, social adult day care, or waiver respite instead of plain “respite.”
Can adult day care count as respite?
Yes. Adult day care can give the caregiver a break while the person attends a supervised program. Payment may come from private pay, local aging funds, Medicaid managed long-term care, VA, or another program, depending on eligibility.
Can I get paid to provide respite to my own family member?
Sometimes, but it depends on the program. CDPAP and some self-directed care paths may allow certain family members to be paid, but rules and exclusions apply. Spouses and some representatives may be excluded. Start with Can I Get Paid to Be a Caregiver?.
What if the agency says there is no respite money?
Ask if there is a waitlist, another funding source, adult day option, Medicaid reassessment, VA option, or emergency caregiver support. Ask for the answer in writing and call NY Connects for another referral.
Resumen en espanol
Si cuida a un familiar en Nueva York y necesita un descanso seguro, llame a NY Connects al 1-800-342-9871. Pida ayuda de respiro, una evaluacion para el cuidador, servicios de dia para adultos y el programa local para cuidadores.
Si la persona tiene Medicaid, llame tambien al plan de Medicaid, MLTC, PACE, CDPAP, DSS local o HRA en la Ciudad de Nueva York. Si la persona es veterana, llame a la linea de apoyo para cuidadores de VA al 1-855-260-3274.
About this guide
This guide was written for family caregivers who need a real next step, not a general caregiving article. It focuses on New York respite routes, who to call, what to ask for, and what to do if the first answer is no.
Program names, funding, forms, and service rules can change. Counties, managed care plans, waiver contractors, and agencies may use different names. Confirm details with official New York sources before you apply or make care decisions.
Official sources used
- New York State Office for the Aging: Respite Services
- New York State Office for the Aging: Respite Program
- New York State Office for the Aging: National Family Caregiver Support Program
- New York State Office for the Aging: Get Assistance
- NY Connects
- New York State Office for the Aging: Social Model Adult Day Services Program
- New York State Department of Health: Managed Long Term Care
- New York State Department of Health: Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program
- New York State Department of Health: How to Apply for NY Medicaid
- New York State Department of Health: Local Departments of Social Services listing
- NYC HRA: Long Term Care – Home Care Services Program
- Medicaid.gov: NY Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver
- Medicaid.gov: NY Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
- New York OPWDD: Respite Services
- New York Paid Family Leave: Family Care
- New York Paid Family Leave: Form Package for Family Care
- VA Caregiver Support Program: Respite
- VA Caregiver Support Line
- New York Office of Children and Family Services: Adult Protective Services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance: Request a Fair Hearing
Disclaimer
This is general information, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. For legal or tax questions, talk with a qualified professional in your state.
