Public Employers
New York State public employers, including governmental agencies, political subdivisions and public authorities, may obtain voluntary coverage for Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave. A public employer must notify all employees who will be required to make contributions and the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) 90 days before the first Paid Family Leave employee deduction is made.
Domestic Household Employees
Domestic workers include chauffeurs, nannies, home health aides, nurses, babysitters, au pairs, maids, cooks, housekeepers, laundry workers, butlers, companions, and gardeners working in a private household.
- Disability and Paid Family Leave benefits coverage is required if the domestic workers are employed 20 or more hours per week by the same employer (including full-time sitters or companions, and live-in maids) and they work 30 or more days in a calendar year for that employer.
- Disability and Paid Family Leave benefits coverage is not required if the only people who work for the household are domestic workers in a private household who individually work less than 20 hours per week for that household and do not live on premises.
Voluntary Coverage Entities
Private employers who opted in for voluntary coverage by obtaining approval from the New York State Workers' Compensation Board are covered for PFL under their NYSIF disability benefits policy. Please contact NYSIF's DB Underwriting Department if you have any questions regarding your coverage.
Self-Employed Individual as Sole Employee
Any self-employed individuals who do not have employees and are seeking coverage are not required to obtain WCB approval, but must notify NYSIF in writing that they wish to have PFL coverage.
Sole Proprietors, Partners, Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships
Sole proprietors, partners, members of Limited Liability Companies or Limited Liability Partnerships and other self-employed individuals who are exempt from New York State Disability Benefits insurance coverage may opt in for combined DB and PFL coverage by submitting an Application for Voluntary Coverage Form. You must submit a separate form for DB and PFL to the New York State Workers' Compensation Board and submit an Employer Application Form to complete enrollment.
Farm Workers
The Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, which took effect on January 1, 2020, requires employers to provide Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave coverage to farm workers. The only farm workers automatically exempt are a farm employer’s own minor children, or full-time students in secondary school. NYSIF is here to help you comply with the new law. Please see our Farm Bill Coverage Form to update your policy. More information regarding this legislation can be found on the state Department of Labor's website.