Paid Family Leave Updates for 2020
New York State continued a four-year phase-in of its Paid Family Leave (PFL) program in 2020 by increasing benefits and expanding coverage to improve the lives of more working New Yorkers and their families.
The PFL benefits increased to 60% of an employee’s average weekly wage in 2020, up to a cap of 60% of the current Statewide Average Weekly Wage of $1,401.17. The maximum weekly benefit for 2020 is $840.70.
Expanded Coverage
In addition, legislation signed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo took effect on January 1 to expand PFL to farm workers in New York.
Farm workers and other eligible employees have access to 10 weeks of job-protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service.
PFL benefit levels have increased since they were first offered in 2018, when the benefit was 50% of the average weekly wage and up to eight weeks of time off. The maximum weekly benefit and amount of time off will increase to 67% of the average weekly wage and 12 weeks in 2021, when PFL is fully implemented.
Learn More
Find more information about 2020 PFL funding, benefits and special employment circumstances on our Paid Family Leave page at nysif.com, where you can also access frequently asked questions and request a quote for disability benefits and PFL insurance. For more information about disability benefits and paid family leave for farm workers visit our Farm Workers Coverage page.
For more information about expanded protections for farm workers, see the Workers’ Compensation Board Toolkit for Farm Employers, Owners and Operators.