What New York State Disability Covers
New York State offers two separate disability programs: Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). TDI replaces part of your wages if you cannot work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy. PFL lets you take paid time off to care for a family member or bond with a new child. Both are funded through payroll deductions — your employer withholds a small percentage from your paycheck, and you may be may have access to to benefits if you meet the program rules.
These are insurance programs, not means-tested benefits. You do not have to prove you are poor to receive them. Instead, you must have worked in New York and paid into the system through payroll taxes. The amount you receive depends on your recent earnings, not on your savings or other income.
New York also administers Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) on behalf of the federal government, but those are federal programs with their own rules and are handled separately from state disability insurance.
Key Takeaways
- Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) pays part of your wages if you cannot work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy, and is funded through payroll deductions from your paycheck.
- Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides paid time off to care for a family member or bond with a new child, with benefits increasing each year through 2027.
- You must have worked in New York and paid into the system to be covered; these are insurance programs, not welfare programs.
- The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) runs both programs, and you file claims through their website or by mail.
- Benefit amounts are based on your recent earnings, capped at a maximum weekly amount that changes each year.
Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) — What You Need to Know
TDI covers you if you cannot work for at least seven consecutive days due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. The program replaces roughly 50 percent of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. In 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $936, but this amount increases each January. You receive payments for up to 26 weeks in a 52-week period.
To be covered, you must have worked in New York for at least four weeks and earned at least $20,300 in the past 52 weeks (these thresholds change annually). If you are self-employed, you can choose to participate in TDI, but you must enroll before you need benefits. Most employees are automatically covered through their employer's payroll deductions.
You file a TDI claim by submitting a form to the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). Your doctor must complete a medical certification form stating the dates you cannot work and the reason. The DFS typically makes a decision within two to three weeks. If approved, you receive payments every two weeks by direct deposit or check.
Paid Family Leave (PFL) — may be able to access and Timeline
PFL lets you take paid time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child (biological, adopted, or foster), or handle certain situations related to a family member's military service. You can use PFL for any reason during that time — you do not have to tell your employer why you are taking the leave.
Like TDI, PFL is funded through payroll deductions. You must have worked in New York for at least four weeks and earned at least $20,300 in the past 52 weeks to be covered. The amount of leave you can take increases each year: in 2024, you can take up to 10 weeks of paid leave; in 2025, it becomes 12 weeks; and by 2027, it will be 16 weeks. The benefit replaces a percentage of your wage, capped at a maximum weekly amount that also increases each year.
To use PFL, you submit a claim to the DFS at least 30 days before you plan to take leave, if possible. If you cannot give 30 days' notice (for example, if a family member becomes ill suddenly), you can file within 30 days of the start of your leave. The DFS will review your claim and notify you of approval. You then coordinate with your employer about when you will take the leave.
How to File a Claim with the New York State Department of Financial Services
You can file a TDI or PFL claim online through the DFS website, by mail, or by phone. The online portal is the fastest route — you can upload documents, track your claim status, and receive updates without waiting for mail. To file online, you need to create an account on the DFS website and provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and employment information.
If you file by mail, send the completed claim form and medical certification (for TDI) or family leave certification (for PFL) to the address listed on the form. Include copies of recent pay stubs to help the DFS verify your earnings. Mail claims take longer to process — typically four to six weeks — because the DFS must receive, scan, and enter the information manually.
By phone, you can call the DFS Disability Benefits hotline to ask questions or request forms, but you cannot file a complete claim by phone alone. You will still need to submit the signed forms and supporting documents. Keep copies of everything you submit and note the date you sent it. If the DFS requests more information, respond within the timeframe they give you, usually 10 to 15 days.
What Documents You Need Before Filing
| Document Type | TDI Claims | PFL Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Completed claim form | Yes | Yes |
| Medical certification (from your doctor) | Yes | Yes (if caring for a family member with a serious health condition) |
| Recent pay stubs (last 4 weeks) | Recommended | Recommended |
| Birth certificate or adoption papers | No | Yes (if bonding with a new child) |
| Military service documentation | No | Yes (if using PFL for military family leave) |
For TDI, your doctor must complete the medical certification form, stating the dates you cannot work and the medical reason. The form does not require a detailed diagnosis — just enough information to show the condition prevents you from working. Your doctor can submit the form directly to the DFS or give it to you to submit.
For PFL, if you are caring for a family member, their doctor must complete a certification form. If you are bonding with a new child, you need proof of the birth or adoption. Keep the originals and submit copies. The DFS will contact your doctor or employer if they need to verify information.
What Happens After You File — Timeline and Next Steps
After you submit your claim, the DFS sends you a notice confirming receipt. This usually arrives within one week. The notice includes a claim number — save this for your records and use it in any future contact with the DFS.
The DFS then reviews your claim to verify you meet the may be able to access requirements: that you worked in New York, earned enough in the past 52 weeks, and have a may have access to reason (illness, injury, pregnancy for TDI; family care or bonding for PFL). If your employer has not yet reported your earnings to the state, the DFS may contact your employer to confirm your employment and wages. This can add one to two weeks to the process.
Once the DFS approves your claim, you receive a notice of approval with the weekly benefit amount and the start date of your benefits. For TDI, payments begin after a seven-day waiting period from the first day you could not work. For PFL, payments begin on the date you start your leave. You receive payments every two weeks by direct deposit (if you set that up) or by check mailed to your address.
If the DFS denies your claim, they send a written notice explaining the reason. You have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You must request the hearing within 30 days of the denial notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence and testimony to challenge the decision.
How Much You Receive and When Payments Stop
Your weekly benefit amount is calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage over the past 52 weeks. For TDI, the benefit is roughly 50 percent of your average weekly wage. For PFL, the percentage varies by year but is increasing: in 2024, it is 67 percent; in 2025, it becomes 75 percent; and by 2027, it will be 100 percent. Both programs cap the maximum weekly benefit amount, which changes each January.
TDI benefits last up to 26 weeks in a 52-week period. Once you return to work, even part-time, your benefits stop. If you return to work and then become unable to work again within the same 52-week period, you may be able to use remaining weeks from your original 26-week entitlement.
PFL benefits last for the number of weeks you are may have access to to in that year (10 weeks in 2024, increasing to 16 weeks by 2027). You can take the leave all at once or spread it across the year in shorter periods. Once you use all your weeks, you cannot receive additional PFL benefits until the next calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive TDI and PFL at the same time?
No. If you are receiving TDI and then need to take PFL, your TDI ends and PFL begins. The two programs do not run concurrently. However, you can use TDI for one period and PFL for another period within the same year, as long as you have not exhausted your entitlement to either program.
What if my employer does not withhold TDI or PFL from my paycheck?
Most New York employers are required by law to withhold these deductions. If your employer is not withholding, contact the DFS to report it. You may still be covered if you meet the earnings threshold, and you can file a claim. The DFS will investigate the employer's compliance.
Do I have to tell my employer I am filing for TDI or PFL?
You do not have to tell your employer you are filing for TDI, but for PFL you must notify your employer that you plan to take leave. Employers cannot retaliate against you for taking PFL or filing for TDI. If your employer fires you, demotes you, or reduces your hours because you took leave or filed a claim, you may have grounds for a complaint with the New York Department of Labor.
What if the DFS asks for more information after I file?
The DFS will send you a written request listing what they need and the important date to respond, usually 10 to 15 days. Submit the requested documents by the important date. If you miss the important date, your claim may be denied, but you can request a hearing to explain the delay.
Can I work part-time while receiving TDI or PFL?
For TDI, if you work any hours, your benefits stop for that week. For PFL, you can work part-time during your leave period, and your benefit is reduced based on the hours you work. Report any work to the DFS when you file your claim or when your circumstances change.