What New York State Disability Insurance pays you each month
New York State Disability Insurance (SDI) replaces part of your wages if you cannot work because of a non-work-related illness or injury. The program pays you a percentage of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. For 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $970, which means the highest monthly payment is roughly $4,200 (based on a four-week month). Your actual payment depends on how much you earned before you stopped working.
SDI calculates your benefit by taking your average weekly wage from the highest-earning 52 weeks in the past two years, then paying you between 50 and 66.67 percent of that amount. The exact percentage depends on your income level. If you earned very little, you get a higher percentage; if you earned more, you get a lower percentage. This sliding scale means two people with different incomes will receive different percentages of their wages back.
The state publishes a benefit table each year showing exactly what you will receive based on your average weekly wage. You can request this table from the New York State Department of Labor, or your employer's human resources department may have it on file. The benefit amount does not change month to month once it is set; it stays the same for the entire duration of your claim, unless you appeal and win a higher rate.
Key Takeaways
- New York State Disability Insurance replaces 50 to 66.67 percent of your average weekly wage, with a maximum of $970 per week in 2024.
- Your benefit is calculated from your highest-earning 52 weeks in the past two years, so recent job changes or raises will affect the amount you receive.
- The state publishes an official benefit table each year; you can request it from the Department of Labor or your employer to see what your payment would be.
- Once your claim is approved, your weekly benefit amount stays the same for the entire duration of your claim unless you file an appeal.
- SDI payments are subject to federal income tax, though New York State does not tax them.
How the state calculates your average weekly wage
The New York State Department of Labor looks back at the 52 weeks before you filed your claim (or the 52 weeks in which you earned the most, if that period is different). It adds up all wages you earned during that time and divides by 52 to get your average weekly wage. This is the number the benefit table uses to determine your payment.
If you were not working for the full 52 weeks before your claim, the state still uses 52 as the divisor. This means if you worked only 26 weeks and earned $10,000, your average weekly wage is $192.31, not $384.62. Part-time workers and people who took unpaid leave often receive lower benefits because of this calculation method.
Bonuses, commissions, and overtime count as wages if they were paid regularly during the 52-week period. One-time payments or irregular bonuses may not count. If you are unsure whether a particular type of income will be included, contact the Department of Labor's SDI unit before you file; they can review your pay stubs and tell you what the state will count.
The maximum benefit and how it affects higher earners
Every year, New York State sets a maximum weekly benefit amount. For 2024, that maximum is $970 per week. If your average weekly wage is high enough that 50 percent of it exceeds $970, you will receive $970, not the full 50 percent. This cap means high-income workers receive a smaller percentage of their wages replaced than lower-income workers do.
To reach the maximum benefit in 2024, your average weekly wage would need to be at least $1,940 per week (since 50 percent of $1,940 is $970). If you earned $2,000 per week on average, you would still receive only $970, not $1,000. The maximum benefit is adjusted upward each year, usually in January, to account for inflation and wage growth.
Self-employed people and certain agricultural workers have different rules and may not be covered by SDI at all. If you are unsure whether your type of work is covered, check the Department of Labor website or call their SDI hotline before you file a claim.
How long you can receive payments
New York State Disability Insurance pays benefits for up to 26 weeks in a 52-week period. This means you can receive payments for a maximum of six months, though the exact timeline depends on when your disability began and when it ends. If you return to work before 26 weeks have passed, your benefits stop, and you do not receive the remaining weeks.
If your condition improves and you go back to work part-time, you may still be able to receive partial SDI benefits. The state will reduce your payment based on how much you are earning in your new job. You must report all work and earnings to the Department of Labor; failing to do so can result in overpayment and a demand to repay the state.
If your disability lasts longer than 26 weeks, you may be able to file for federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) instead. SSDI has a different definition of disability and a longer waiting period, but it can provide ongoing payments if your condition is expected to last at least 12 months. The two programs do not overlap; you cannot receive both at the same time for the same period.
What reduces or stops your SDI payments
If you earn any wages while receiving SDI, the state will reduce your benefit. You must report all work, including part-time jobs, freelance work, and self-employment income. The state does not stop your benefit entirely unless you earn more than your full average weekly wage; instead, it subtracts your earnings from your weekly benefit amount.
If you receive workers' compensation for the same injury or illness, SDI will not pay you. The state considers workers' compensation a replacement for lost wages and will not duplicate the payment. You must choose which program to file for, though in some cases your employer's insurance carrier will help you file for both and coordinate the payments.
If you are receiving unemployment insurance, you cannot receive SDI at the same time. These programs are mutually exclusive. If you exhaust your unemployment benefits and then become disabled, you can file for SDI, but you cannot receive both simultaneously.
Taxes on New York State Disability Insurance
SDI payments are subject to federal income tax. The Department of Labor will withhold federal tax from your benefit if you request it, or you can pay estimated taxes yourself. New York State does not tax SDI benefits, so you will not owe state income tax on the money you receive.
When you file your federal tax return, you must report SDI income. The Department of Labor will send you a 1099-G form in January showing how much you received in the previous year. If you did not have taxes withheld, you may owe money when you file, so it is worth planning ahead or requesting withholding when you file your claim.
How to find out what your specific payment would be
The easiest way to learn your benefit amount is to contact the New York State Department of Labor directly. You can call their SDI hotline, visit their website, or go to a local Department of Labor office in person. Bring recent pay stubs (ideally from the past year) so they can calculate your average weekly wage on the spot.
Your employer's payroll or human resources department may also be able to help. Many large employers keep the current benefit table on file and can run a quick calculation based on your earnings. This is especially useful if you want to know the amount before you file a formal claim.
Once you file a claim, the Department of Labor will send you a notice of claim information that states your weekly benefit amount. You can appeal this amount if you believe it is wrong. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the notice, and you will need to provide documentation of your earnings (pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive SDI if I am working part-time?
Yes, but your benefit will be reduced by the amount you earn. If your average weekly wage was $600 and your SDI benefit is $400, but you earn $200 per week in a part-time job, your SDI payment that week would be $200. You must report all earnings to the Department of Labor.
Does SDI pay for the first week I am disabled?
No. New York State Disability Insurance has a seven-day waiting period. You must be unable to work for at least seven days before you can receive any payment. If your disability lasts fewer than seven days, you receive nothing. Some employers provide paid sick leave or short-term disability during this waiting period.
What if I disagree with the benefit amount the state calculated?
You can appeal within 30 days of receiving your notice of claim information. File an appeal with the Department of Labor and include documentation of your earnings, such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns. An administrative law judge will review your case and issue a decision.
Is SDI the same as workers' compensation?
No. Workers' compensation covers injuries or illnesses that happen at work or are caused by your job. SDI covers non-work-related disabilities. You cannot receive both for the same condition, and you must choose which program to file for.
What happens to my SDI if I move out of New York State?
You can continue to receive SDI payments even if you move, as long as you remain unable to work and meet all other program requirements. You must notify the Department of Labor of your address change and continue to report any earnings or changes in your condition.