Magnetocaloric properties of compounds Gd(Ni0.98Si0.02), Dy(Ni0.95Si0.05) and their hydrides Gd(Ni0.98Si0.02)H3, Dy(Ni0.95Si0.05)H4 were investigated in the temperature range 2 – 100K. It was found that partial substitution of Ni atoms by Si atoms, as well as subsequent hydrogenation can lead to a significant change in the Curie temperature (TC), the magnetocaloric effect, and the temperature at which the maximum MCE (Tmax) is observed. It is shown that the TC and Tmax of the hydrides are shifted by several degrees to the low temperature region with increasing or maintaining the MCE, which can significantly expand the application of such materials in cryogenic engineering.