New York Disability Benefits
- New York has different types of disability laws.dockhand image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
New York offers two types of disability benefits: Workers' Compensation and Disability Benefits Law. Workers' Compensation provides replacement income to employees who are hurt on the job. Disability Benefits Law, on the other hand, provides supplemental income in the event an individual is disabled or seriously injured outside of work but due to the injury, is unable to work. New York also has Pregnancy Disability Benefits, which provides supplemental income to women on maternity leave. - New York Disability Benefits Law (DBL) offers replacement income to individuals who are hurt outside of work but are disabled, and as a result, cannot return to work. To be eligible for DBL, the employee's employer must have at least two employees in New York. Full-time employees are eligible for DBL after four consecutive weeks of work. Part-time employees are eligible for DBL after their 25th day of employment. Employees receiving DBL are entitled to a benefit of 50 percent of their weekly wage, up to a maximum of $170 per week.
- All employees, including volunteers, day laborers, full-time and part-time workers are entitled to workers' compensation coverage if their employer is a for-profit business in New York. When an individual working in the private sector is injured on the job, the employer's workers' compensation insurance provides replacement income and covers the cost of medical care and treatment for injury or disability. There is a seven-day waiting period before workers' compensation replacement income kicks in, but the employee can receive those funds retroactively.
- In New York, women can collect short-term disability benefits on maternity leave. The New York State Pregnancy Disability Benefits program provides replacement income for six weeks after a normal birth and up to eight weeks for a Caesarean section, though the first week is a nonpaid waiting period.
To be eligible, the woman must provide medical documentation from her provider. Disability may also be extended due to complications.
