What you should know
- The minimum wage for homecare workers 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.
- The new salary came into effect from October 1, 2022.
- Under Public Health Law § 3614-f, “homecare worker” means an attendant whose primary responsibility includes providing assistance in the home with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, or homework-related tasks. health.
NEW YORK — The minimum wage for homecare workers increased in New York starting Oct. 1, the state Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced.
As of that date, through Public Health Law § 3614-f, the minimum wage for these employees was increased to $17 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and $15.20 per hour for the rest. of the state of New York. This is an additional $1 for counties outside of the Big Apple that had already received an increase on December 31, 2022 of $14.20.
“We know how valuable our homecare workers are, especially with the shortages we are currently seeing,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “This minimum wage increase 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 patient care.”
Who are referred to as home care workers?
Under Public Health Law § 3614-f, “home care worker” means a home health aide, personal care aide, home health aide, or other licensed or unlicensed person whose primary responsibility includes providing care in home with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, or health-related tasks.
However, home health aide does not include any person who works on an occasional basis, or who is related by blood, marriage, or adoption to: the employer; or the person for whom the worker is providing services, under a program funded or administered by the federal, state or local government.
When must additional pay be given in addition to the minimum wage rates?
- Extra hours: home health aides must be paid 1½ times their regular rate of pay for weekly hours over 40 (or 44 for residential employees).
- Pay per call: If they go to work as scheduled and their employer sends them home early, they may be entitled to overtime paid at the minimum wage for that day.
- Distribution of hours: if work days are longer than ten hours, they may be entitled to additional daily pay. The daily rate is equal to one hour of pay at the minimum wage rate.
- Maintenance of the uniform: if they clean their own uniform, they may be entitled to additional weekly pay.
The only time an employer can reduce wages below the minimum wage is to claim a limited allowance for meals and lodging, as long as they do not charge for those services.
