New York Workers' Comp Benefits (2026)
How New York pays injured workers: the weekly rate while you recover, the 2026 maximum, and what each type of permanent injury is worth, with the statute behind each number.
What is different in New York
New York splits permanent partial disability into schedule loss of use awards (arms, legs, hands, feet, eyes, hearing) and non-schedule awards (back, neck, etc.), which pay on reduced wage-earning capacity for a capped number of weeks set by the degree of loss.
Weekly benefits while you cannot work
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,281.50 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $384.45 (1/5 of NYSAWW) for 2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30; full wages if wages below minimum |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
What each injury is worth
| Injury | How it is paid | Max award |
|---|---|---|
| Back | wage loss | — |
| Neck | wage loss | — |
| Shoulder | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Knee | 288 weeks (as the leg) | $369,072 |
| Arm | 312 weeks | $399,828 |
| Hand | 244 weeks | $312,686 |
| Thumb | 75 weeks | $96,112 |
| Index Finger | 46 weeks | $58,949 |
| Leg | 288 weeks | $369,072 |
| Foot | 205 weeks | $262,708 |
| Big Toe | 38 weeks | $48,697 |
| Eye | 160 weeks | $205,040 |
| Hearing Loss | 150 weeks | $192,225 |
Permanent injuries in general
non-schedule PPD: 66 2/3% of the difference between AWW and post-injury wage-earning capacity, for a maximum of 225 to 525 weeks depending on the % loss of wage-earning capacity (≤15% → 225 weeks; >95% → 525 weeks).
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: N.Y. Workers' Compensation Law §15 (schedule; §15(3)(w) non-schedule caps); §12 (waiting period); N.Y. Workers' Compensation Law §15(3) (schedule), §15(3)(w) (non-schedule caps)
- New York State Workers' Compensation Board (official site)
- wcb.ny.gov/content/main/SubjectNos/sn046_1805.jsp
- apps.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/SubjectNos/sn046_1754.jsp
- wcb.ny.gov/content/main/Workers/LostWageBenefits.jsp
- nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/WKC/15
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the New York workers' compensation agency.
Estimate only. Your real award depends on your doctor's rating, your wage records, offsets and settlement terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.