Family leave and workers’ compensation benefits will increase | News, sports, jobs

Workers can get more money per week from a workers’ compensation claim, and at the same time, companies are asked to pay less into the state’s workers’ compensation system.

Starting January 1, New York’s workers’ compensation program will be rebalanced: The minimum weekly benefit for an employee receiving workers’ compensation will increase to $325, up from the $150 per week the program has offered for more than a year. decade. Starting in 2026, the maximum weekly benefit will be tied to the state average weekly wage.

At the same time, companies that contribute to the state workers’ compensation program will see a decrease in their liability. Starting Jan. 1, the assessment rate for employers will be 7.1% of the standard premium or equivalent, a 22% decrease from 2024. That is expected to save private businesses $191 million statewide .

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that most employers must pay for: it covers the costs of employees who are injured or sick as a direct result of their occupation, and claims are processed by a board of officials appointed by elected state leaders. . The state charges an underwriting fee, collected by the insurance companies offering the policies and passed on to the state, to administer the program.

Additionally, the paid family leave program is getting a boost, providing up to 12 weeks of job protection and paid time off for employees to care for a new child, a sick family member or help when a family member is deployed on active military duty. . Starting January 1, eligible employees can receive up to $14,127.84 in benefits from the program, an increase of $300 starting in 2024. The maximum total benefit per week will be $1,757.19, and recipients will earn 67% of their annual weekly salary from the program to that cap.

“Working New Yorkers should not have to worry about how they will buy groceries or pay rent when they need time off to care for a new child or a family member with a serious health condition, or get injured at work,” Governor Kathy. Hochul said. “Likewise, business owners who have their own bills to pay and families to support also need affordable solutions.”