Changes to NYS Paid Family Leave

In 2023, the maximum employee contribution rate has been reduced by 10%. As the state’s average weekly wage for 2023 increased to $1,688.19, the maximum weekly benefit available to employees increased by $62.72 to $1,131.08 (67% of the state’s average weekly wage).

In addition to the information above, another change taking effect on 1/1/2023 is the expanded definition of qualified family members:

Who currently qualifies as a family member to receive care under PFL?

  1. Spouse
  2. Domestic Partner
  3. Child
  4. Parent (biological, foster, or adoptive parent, a legal guardian (or other person who stood in loco parentis to the employee when the employee was a child) as well as step-parents and in-laws.
  5. Grandparent
  6. Grandchild
  7. Starting in 2023: Sibling (as defined below)

Who will qualify as a sibling for PFL? Siblings who qualify for care for under the PFL program include biological siblings, adopted siblings, step-siblings and half-siblings—regardless of where the sibling resides, i.e. the sibling can live outside of New York State and even outside of the United States.

Paid Family Leave provides job-protected, paid time off to employees to bond with a new child, care for a qualified family member with a serious health condition, or address family matters due to a qualifying military exigency.

Sources:
www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/health_insurers/pfl_rate_decision_2023
The Business Council of New York State
info.shelterpoint.com/Blog/ny-pfl-siblings