Work, Pay & Leave Rights · Surprise rank #428
New York Pays Up to 12 Weeks Off to Care for a Sick Relative—at 67% of Your Wages
New York Paid Family Leave provides partial wage replacement and job protection to eligible covered workers.
Who
Covered employees caring for an eligible family member with a serious health condition.
What to do
Start here: Tell the employer, request the PFL-1 package and submit the caregiver/medical certification to the employer's insurance carrier.
Eligibility: Covered employment, qualifying relationship, serious-health-condition certification and required notice/forms.
What you get
Most covered New York workers can take job-protected leave with partial wage replacement to care for a seriously ill qualifying family member.
Benefit: Up to 12 weeks at 67% of average weekly wage, capped at the annual statewide maximum.
Possible value: Up to $1,228.53 per week in 2026, for as many as 12 weeks.
Good to know
Important: It pays partial wages, not a caregiver wage; intermittent leave and employer coordination require paperwork.
Availability: Year-round when a qualifying need arises; generally give 30 days' notice when foreseeable.
Why people miss it: Many workers think Paid Family Leave is only for a new child.
Sources reviewed: Aug 2, 2026