What you should know
- The minimum wage for home care workers was raised to $ 17 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and $ 15.20 per hour in the rest of New York State.
- The new salary went into effect on October 1, 2022.
- Under Public Health Act § 3614-f, a “home worker” means an assistant whose primary responsibility includes providing home care with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living or health-related homework.
NEW YORK – The minimum wage for home care workers has increased in New York starting October 1, the state Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced.
As of that date, through Public Health Act § 3614-f, the minimum wage for these employees has been increased to $ 17 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and $ 15.20 per hour for the rest of New York state. This is an additional $ 1 for counties outside the Big Apple that had already received a $ 14.20 raise on December 31, 2022.
“We know how valuable our home carers are, especially with the shortcomings we are currently experiencing,” said Roberta Reardon, New York State Department of Labor commissioner. “This increase in the minimum wage will ensure they are well paid and able to support themselves and their families, which will help attract more people to the profession. Overall, this will ensure better employee retention and better patient care. “
Who are called home helpers?
Under Public Health Act § 3614-f, “home worker” means a home healthcare assistant, personal healthcare assistant, home healthcare assistant, or other licensed or unlicensed person whose primary responsibility includes providing home care with daily living activities , instrumental activities of daily life or activities related to health.
However, home health assistants do not include those who carry out occasional work, or who are related by consanguinity, marriage or adoption with: the employer; or the person for whom the worker is providing services, as part of a program funded or administered by the federal, state, or local government.
When is additional wages to be paid in addition to the minimum wage?
- Extraordinary: Home health aides must be paid 1½ times the normal wage for weekly hours over 40 (or 44 for residential employees).
- Pay per call: If they go to work on schedule and their employer sends them home early, they may be eligible for overtime paid at the minimum wage for that day.
- Distribution of hours: if the working days exceed ten hours, they may be entitled to an additional daily wage. The daily rate is equal to one hour of pay at the minimum wage.
- Uniform maintenance: if they clean their uniform, they may be entitled to an additional weekly wage.
The only time an employer can reduce wages below the minimum wage is to apply for a limited allowance for room and board, as long as they do not charge for such services.
