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Being a CDPAP caregiver, in of itself, is an advantageous job. The additional benefits that come with it, such as paid vacations and insurance packages, make this type of work even more lucrative.

Keep reading this article to learn about the on and off-the-job benefits that you may attain when you become a CDPAP caregiver.

What is a CDPAP Caregiver?

In short, a CDPAP caregiver is someone who provides care to a family member and/or friend. More specifically, they do so through a Medicaid program that allows them to work and get paid as their loved one’s caregiver.

What are some of the benefits of being a CDPAP caregiver?

You can enjoy plenty of advantages and benefits when you become a CDPAP caregiver, including the following:

  • You get paid for simply continuing to do what you’re currently doing.
  • CDPAP caregivers don’t need to undergo long or intensive training programs.
  • Your loved one attains an overall better quality of care because you, as their caregiver, will mainly concentrate on helping them. This is in contrast to traditional caregivers who typically work with multiple patients.
  • Seniors gain more control over their lives by choosing the caregiver and their schedule.
  • You may take care of tasks that traditional home health aides are not allowed to do, such as giving your friend or family member their medicines or insulin injections.
  • As mentioned earlier, you can take care of your friends, relatives, and family members.

In addition to these practical perks, CDPAP caregivers enjoy benefits like paid vacations and insurance coverage.

What benefits do CDPAP caregivers get?

If you become a CDPAP caregiver, you can obtain the same benefits that many jobs offer. Here is a breakdown of what they are:

Paid Time Off and Sick Leave

When you get ill and can’t work, Medicaid will continue to pay you. In fact, CDPAP caregivers can claim sick leave benefits for as many as 120 hours per year. This is separate from time off due to non-medical reasons.

Every year, CDPAP caregivers can take up to 120 hours of paid vacation time. This is equal to three 40-hour work weeks, and it doesn’t include holidays.

Holidays

CDPAP caregivers don’t have to work on holidays. When they do, they receive a larger paycheck.

Firstly, you can take Martin Luther King Day (the 3rd Monday in January) and Independence Day (the 4th of July) off.

Secondly, when you work on some holidays, you receive “time and a half” pay. For instance, if you get paid $30 per hour, time and a half would equal $45 per hour (or 30 multiplied by 1.5).

CDPAP caregivers receive time and a half paychecks for working on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1st)
  • Memorial Day (May 30th)
  • Labor Day (the first Monday in September)
  • Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Day (December 25th)

Jury Duty

If you get called into court to become a member of a jury that will decide on a case (this is known as jury duty), you will be compensated when this causes you to miss out on working as a CDPAP caregiver.

Insurance and Retirement Plans

In the same vein, CDPAP caregivers may qualify for a variety of insurance plans and pensions. Many of them also cover their family members.

Here are some of these benefits:

  • Health Insurance: Caregivers and their family members are eligible for comprehensive health plans (that usually include vision and dental coverage).
  • Life Insurance: Those who fill out the life insurance beneficiary card that comes with their health insurance package will automatically obtain a life policy. To clarify, life insurance pays out to the beneficiary when the policyholder passes away.
  • Pensions: After you work as a CDPAP caregiver for five years (with a minimum of 1,000 hours each year), you qualify for a small, taxable monthly payment after you turn 65 years of age.
  • Workers’ Compensation: This coverage kicks in on your first day as a CDPAP caregiver. If you get injured or sick on the job, workers compensation will reimburse you for the lost income that resulted from your inability to work and any associated medical expenses. There is a maximum amount, and that is determined by the New York State Department of Insurance.
  • Disability Insurance: When your injury or illnesses requires you to take more than 7 days off the job, disability insurance covers your paycheck and health-related costs.

Unemployment Benefits

Lastly, but certainly not least, is that CDPAP caregivers are eligible for unemployment benefits. However, for this to be the case, they need to meet all three of these requirements:

  • The caregiver lost their job because of a reason that was out of their control or not their fault.
  • They worked for a minimum of 20 weeks during the year.
  • They are available to take on a new job right away.

Keep in mind that these eligibility rules apply to all employees, and not just CDPAP caregivers. In fact, the same could be said about all the other benefits that CDPAP caregivers get, including vacations, sick leave, and insurance coverage.

The only difference, nonetheless, is the main job perk: You get paid to help an elderly and/or sick person that you love and care about.

 

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