Family taking care of family: What New Yorkers need to know about paid family leave
Family care can result in improved health outcomes for care recipients and can increase meaning and comfort to caregivers. Wouldn’t it be great if working employees had the ability to be there for loved ones when they’re needed most without having to worry about their financial security? That’s now a reality in New York State.
As of January 1, 2018, millions of New Yorkers are now eligible for job-protected, paid time off to care for their families under New York Paid Family Leave, a state law championed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. While this is a program of New York State, Alzheimer’s Association advocates worked together with other organizations to ensure its passage.
Through this landmark benefit, eligible employees can take time off to bond with a new child, assist loved ones when their spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child is deployed abroad on active military service, or care for a family member with a serious health condition. Employees can use it to care for their spouse or domestic partner, child or stepchild, grandchild, parent, parent-in-law, stepparent or grandparent, so long as the care recipient has a serious health condition — one that requires inpatient care or the continuing supervision of a health care provider.
Strong benefits and protections
In 2018, eligible employees can take up to eight weeks of leave and receive 50% of their average weekly wage, capped at 50% of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). In 2019, benefits increase to 10 weeks of leave at 55% of their average weekly wage, capped at 55% of the SAWW. The rate will continue to rise through 2021, when the benefit is fully phased in. Benefits are provided through insurance, which is fully funded by employees through a small weekly payroll contribution.
Along with strong benefits, NY Paid Family Leave has strong protections against discrimination and retaliation, and neither citizenship nor immigration status is a factor.
Most employees who work in New York for private employers are covered for Paid Family Leave. Public employees may be covered if their employer opts in to provide the benefit. Those represented by a union may be covered if the benefit is collectively bargained.
More information
Complete details on Paid Family Leave are available online, including information on how to apply and request forms in multiple languages. Additionally, the NY Paid Family Leave Helpline at (844) 337–6303 can answer questions, in any language, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
