Settlement approved for class action lawsuit regarding CDPAP program
The latest development in the Engesser et al v. McDonald lawsuit is that on August 13, 2025, U.S. District Judge Frederic Block granted provisional approval for a class action settlement addressing disruptions in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) home care services.
The settlement came about due to the chaotic transition process that left many older and disabled New Yorkers without the home care they depend on. The litigation was filed in March 2025 by the New York Legal Assistance Group and Patterson Belknap law firm.
Key points of the settlement include:
- The New York State Department of Health must provide proper written notice and fair hearing opportunities for CDPAP consumers who were not successfully transitioned to Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) by the August 1 deadline.
- Affected consumers will receive support from trained facilitators to help resolve onboarding issues and escalate unresolved problems.
- This agreement aims to restore critical home care services to approximately 280,000 New Yorkers relying on CDPAP.
Judge Block commended both parties for collaborating to prevent prolonged litigation. He expressed admiration for the lawyers involved in the case, stating they inspired the legal community.
Prior to this, Judge Block had entered an amended preliminary injunction in late June 2025, which was extended through mid-August to maintain protections during ongoing negotiations.
This settlement is considered a major victory that avoids prolonged litigation and seeks to restore vital home care to vulnerable populations affected by the transition to the PPL administrator. The court praised the cooperation between the parties in reaching this agreement.
The agreement requires the New York State Department of Health to make changes to ensure a smoother transition for all participants in the future. However, the settlement does not specify the exact amount of compensation for the affected parties.
The settlement is now at the provisional settlement approval stage, with further court actions pending to finalize the agreement and implement relief for impacted consumers. The litigation and settlement for the CDPAP class action lawsuit have been praised as an outstanding outcome for several hundred thousand CDPAP consumers.
The approval of the provisional settlement in the Engesser et al v. McDonald lawsuit, driven by the chaotic transition process, is significant policy-and-legislation in the field of politics, addressing the general-news topic of home care services for older and disabled New Yorkers. The settlement, aimed at restoring critical services to approximately 280,000 people, requires the New York State Department of Health to make changes and provides support for affected consumers, setting a precedent for future transition processes.
