New York disability and paid family leave
three coverages,
not one.
Workers’ comp, disability and Paid Family Leave, in plain English.
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the short answer
Virtually every New York employer must carry three coverages: workers’ comp, disability benefits and Paid Family Leave. Workers’ comp is its own policy, and Paid Family Leave rides on the disability policy, so it’s two policies for three coverages.
which one does what.
Tap a coverage to see what it pays for and who must carry it.
What it covers
workers’ comp.
Medical bills and lost wages when an employee is hurt on the job, like a tech who falls on the stairs during a water heater swap.
Who asks: Virtually every New York employer, from the first day someone works for you.
What it covers
disability benefits.
Part of an employee’s wages when an injury or illness off the job keeps them from working, like the same tech hurt at home on a Saturday.
Who asks: Virtually every New York employer. New York City’s Department of Buildings wants its certificate on its own form.
What it covers
paid family leave.
Time away to bond with a new child or care for a family member. It rides on the disability policy.
Who asks: Virtually every New York employer, on the same policy as disability.
who must carry them.
The rules from the Workers’ Compensation Board.
- Who must carry them
Virtually every New York employer, for all three coverages.
- Who’s exempt
A sole proprietor, partnership or LLC with no employees, or a corporation owned by one or two people who hold every office and have no other employees. The first hire ends it.
- Who counts
For workers’ comp, part-time, temporary, seasonal, casual, leased, borrowed and many family workers generally count. For disability and PFL, every employee counts.
- New hires
Workers’ comp applies from the first day. Disability and PFL must be in place within a window the Board sets after the thirtieth day of employment.
- Two policies
Workers’ comp is one policy, rated on payroll. Disability and Paid Family Leave are written together on the other.
- If one lapses
The employer is out of compliance, and the Board can assess penalties for the time without coverage.
Sources: New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, Workers’ Compensation Law §2, §3 and §202, NYC Department of Buildings. Last reviewed September 2026.
good to know.
Straight answers on New York disability and Paid Family Leave.
Do New York employers have to carry disability and Paid Family Leave?
What’s the difference between workers’ comp and disability benefits?
Does a one-person company need disability and Paid Family Leave in New York?
Sources: New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, Workers’ Compensation Law §2, §3 and §202. Last reviewed September 2026.
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