New York

Understanding paid leave

New York provides paid medical leave (PML) and paid family leave (PFL) income replacement benefits for eligible workers who need time off from work for qualifying reasons. The PML portion of the program is referred to as New York Disability Benefits Law (DBL). New York Paid Family Leave (NY PFL) is the PFL portion of the program.

New York DBL and PFL: Coverage and cost

Learn about your state rules and eligibility.

Coverage options

State-approved private plan allowed.

Employer coverage

All private employers are covered.

Employee eligibility

Paid medical leave: Must have worked at least 4 weeks in New York for the same covered employer.

Paid family leave:

  • Full-time employees: Eligible for coverage after 26 weeks of employment with the same covered employer.
  • Part-time employees: Employees working less than 20 hours per week will be eligible after 175 workdays of covered NY employment for the same covered employer.

Leave reasons

PML: Employee's own serious health condition.

PFL: Caring for a family member, bonding and qualifying exigency.

Job protection

NY PFL is job protected. NY PML is not job protected.

PFML benefits

Paid medical leave

  • Benefit percentage: 50% of average weekly wage (AWW).
  • Maximum weekly benefit: Up to $170 maximum weekly benefit.
  • Waiting period: 7-day waiting period.
  • Maximum duration: 26 week maximum.

Paid family leave

  • Benefit percentage: 67% of average weekly wage (AWW).
  • Maximum weekly benefit: $1,177.32.
  • Waiting period: No waiting period.
  • Maximum duration: 12 week maximum.

Combined PML and PFL: 26 week maximum in a 52-week period.

Cost

Paid medical leave

  • Employee: 0.5% of weekly wages up to a maximum of $0.60 per week.
  • Employer: Will fund the additional cost of the plan above the employee maximum limit. The employer can pay all or part of the employee contribution.

Paid family leave

  • Employee: 0.388% of taxable wage base. Funded 100% by employees unless employer chooses to pay all or part of the contribution. Taxable wage base $91,373.88.
  • Employer: None.

Program timeline

Program start: January 2018

Need more information? Please visit New York's websites for additional details:

In New York, insurance products are underwritten by The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, Worcester, MA, and administered by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company.