As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities, we want to keep you updated on NYSIF’s preparedness efforts.
Business Continuity
To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the Governor has directed all nonessential New York businesses to shut their business locations, and for all nonessential employees to stay home. NYSIF’s business continuity plan, which was carefully developed to allow us to provide uninterrupted service, enables NYSIF staff throughout the State to work remotely during the office shutdown. While we expect our business to remain fully operational, we ask for your patience if you experience any delays or have any issues in contacting staff as we adjust operations.
Amid all the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, NYSIF remains committed to fulfilling our mission.
Policyholders
Need more information? Register for a NYSIF online account; it’s simple and easy. You'll be able to access important, up-to-date policy and claims information and allow NYSIF to quickly and effectively communicate vital information to you. Create an online account now.
Have changes to your payroll? If you’ve experienced a significant decrease in your payroll or are experiencing coronavirus-related financial difficulties, we can adjust your premium payments to help reflect your financial situation. Please contact your Policy Representative to adjust your premium.
Need to do an audit? The NYS Department of Financial Services (DFS) has temporarily suspended onsite physical audits by insurers. For a convenient alternative, workers' compensation policyholders can upload audit documents right on our website, swiftly and securely. Upload your audit documents now.
Have questions about employee coverage for COVID-19? An employee must sustain a work-related injury or illness to be eligible for benefits under the New York Workers’ Compensation Law. Generally, mere exposure or quarantining of an employee would not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, although certain quarantined employees might qualify for disability benefits - see "Workers" below. Claims by employees who actually contract COVID-19 may be compensable if the evidence shows that the contraction was work-related. NYSIF anticipates that there will be many questions about coverage and liability as information about COVID-19 develops. Our approach, at this time, is to evaluate each claim on a case-by-case basis.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements (From the US Department of Labor, this provides more information on this federal legislation.)
Workers
You may be eligible for workers' compensation or disability benefits. Read more below.
| If your employer is a NYSIF policyholder and you are unable to work because: |
Then please |
|---|---|
| you contracted COVID-19 at your work | notify your employer immediately and file workers' compensation Form C-3 with the NYS Workers' Compensation Board. NYSIF will investigate all claims and make a determination of liability. |
| you contracted COVID-19 away from work |
file disability benefits/PFL form SCOVID with NYSIF |
| your job was deemed non-essential and you were laid off | apply for Unemployment Insurance from the NYS Department of Labor |
|
you are under an order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 issued by a governmental entity (e.g. Department of Health) See: Guidance For Obtaining An Order For Mandatory Or Precautionary Quarantine |
file disability benefits/PFL form SCOVID with NYSIF |
|
your minor child is under an order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 issued by a governmental entity (e.g. Department of Health) See: Guidance For Obtaining An Order For Mandatory Or Precautionary Quarantine |
file disability benefits/PFL form CCOVID with NYSIF |
| you are caring for a family member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 | file PFL form PFL-CARE with NYSIF |
| your child(ren)'s school was closed and you must care for them | learn more about your eligibility for paid sick leave from your employer under the Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act |
| Not sure if you fit one of the circumstances listed above? | View our Frequently Asked Questions. Still have questions? Email us. |
Register for a NYSIF online account; it’s simple and easy. With an online account, you can enroll in direct deposit and view a summary of your claim. Having an online account will allow NYSIF to quickly and effectively communicate vital information to you. Create an online account now.
NYSIF Notices to Customers
| Notice | Translations | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Policyholders: We Are Here to Help | 05/02/2020 | |
| Financial Relief for Our Policyholders | Bengali Haitian-Creole Italian Korean Polish Russian Spanish Traditional Chinese | 04/02/2020 |
| Help for New York Workers | Bengali Haitian-Creole Italian Korean Polish Russian Spanish Traditional Chinese | 03/30/2020 |
| Policyholders: NYSIF Launches New COVID-19 Page | 03/27/2020 | |
| Reps: NYSIF Launches New COVID-19 Page | 03/27/2020 | |
| A Message to Our Policyholders | 03/20/2020 | |
| NYSIF Continues Operations Remotely | 03/17/2020 | |
| NYSIF Business Continuity Amid the Coronavirus | 03/06/2020 |
New York State Resources
- New York State Paid Sick Leave for COVID-19 Impacted New Yorkers
- NYS Governor's Office
- NYS Department of Health
- Statewide Contact List of Local Health Departments
- NYC Mayor's Office
Business Financial Assistance
- NYC Small Business Services (grants to support your payroll and interest free loans)
- Small Business Administration Disaster Loans (low interest loans)
- Empire State Development Resource Guide for Applying for an SBA Disaster Loan
- US Department of Labor Dislocated Worker Grants (Employment Recovery grants in response to layoffs caused by cancellations or shutdowns caused by coronavirus)
This page was updated on May 10, 2020