What do I get with PFL?
NY Paid Family Leave benefits continue to gradually increase until 2021. See chart below for leave taken in weekly increments. For leave taken in daily increments, the amount is based on the average number of days worked per week during the 8 weeks before taking leave.
Benefit stage effective date*
|
Maximum length of Paid Leave
|
Maximum benefit amount**
|
Payable % of employee’s Average Weekly Wage (AWW)
|
To the maximum % of NY Average Weekly Wage
(NYSAWW)
|
Benefit maximum based on current NYSAWW of $1,357.11**
|
01/01/2018
|
8 weeks
|
50%
|
50%
|
$652.96
|
01/01/2019
|
10 weeks
|
55%
|
55%
|
$746.41
|
01/01/2020
|
10 weeks
|
60%
|
60%
|
$814.27
|
01/01/2021
|
12 weeks
|
67%
|
67%
|
$909.26
|
*While this is the anticipated phase-in schedule, New York State may elect to delay increasing the benefit levels effective at each stage.
** NY Department of Labor releases the updated NYSAWW every March 31st of the prior applicable calendar year. Past years’ maximum benefit amounts are based on prior NYSAWWs respectively. The NYSAWW applicable to 2019 is $1,357.11 = $70,569.72 per year.
What does this mean for you?
In 2019, the benefit is set at 55% of your average weekly wage, capped at 55% of the New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW). The NYSAWW for 2019 is $1,357.11 and 55% of the NYSAWW is $746.41, so in other words:
- If you make $1,000 per week (less than the NYSAWW), your PFL benefit will be $550;
- If you make $1,357.11 per week (the same as the NYSAWW), your PFL benefit will be $746.41;
- If you make $2000 per week (more than the NYSAWW), your PFL benefit will be $746.41.
Don’t’ forget:
The benefit amount that is in effect when you start your leave applies to the full duration of your paid leave for that event, even if a new calendar year with increased benefit levels falls in that period. That means: If your leave extends into the next calendar year, your benefit will NOT change to reflect the next year’s new amount.
When leave dates are separated by more than 3 months, new claims must be filed.