November 26, 2024
Free resources are available for employers, including three upcoming webinars
NYS Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez announced that starting January 1, 2025, New Yorkers taking Paid Family Leave may receive up to $14,127.84 in total benefits - an increase of over $300 from 2024. The annual maximum cost they will pay will increase by about $20.
NYS Paid Family Leave provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service.
"Strong Paid Family Leave benefits means New Yorkers don't have to sacrifice financial security to be there for family in times of need," said Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez. "No one should have to choose between caring for a loved one and a paycheck."
Employees taking Paid Family Leave receive 67% of their average weekly wage, up to a cap of 67% of the current New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW), which is $1,757.19 for 2025. This means the maximum weekly benefit will be $1,177.32, and the total possible benefit to an employee is $14,127.84.
Beginning January 1, 2025, employees will contribute 0.388% of their gross wages per pay period to pay for Paid Family Leave, with a maximum annual contribution of $354.53 (0.388% of the NYSAWW). Employees earning less than the NYSAWW will contribute less than the annual cap of $354.53, consistent with their actual wages.
| Year | Maximum Total Benefit | Maximum Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,127.84 | $354.53 |
| 2025 | $13,813.92 | $333.25 |
Free resources for employers and HR professionals
To help employers understand the NYS Paid Family Leave updates and share information with their employees, the Board has created a number of employer resources, including a deduction notice template, language for employee handbooks, and fact sheets, which are available in the Employer Resources section of paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/2025 .
Additionally, the Board will be hosting a webinar for employers and HR professionals to provide an overview of the benefit, review the 2025 updates, and answer any participant questions. The one-hour webinar is offered on three dates:
December 10, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
December 18, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
January 14, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
About NYS Paid Family Leave
NYS Paid Family Leave is insurance, fully paid for by employees, that provides job-protected, paid time off care for family in times of need. Most employees of private employers in New York State are covered for NYS Paid Family Leave, while public employers can voluntarily opt in to provide the benefit.
Since NYS Paid Family Leave was first implemented in 2018, benefits have been significantly enhanced to further improve the lives of working New Yorkers and their families, including higher benefits, more time off, and more eligible events and family members.
More information
Complete details on NYS Paid Family Leave are available at PaidFamilyLeave.ny.gov . There is also a special page with updates for 2025 that includes benefit and deduction calculators, answers to frequently asked questions, and other resources.
Help is also available via a toll-free Paid Family Leave Helpline at (844) 337-6303, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.