New York Workers’ Compensation Weekly Benefit Calculator 2026
Estimate a weekly lost-wage benefit using average weekly wage, degree of disability or reduced earnings, and the minimum and maximum tied to the injury date.
Estimate a New York weekly cash benefit
How New York calculates weekly lost-wage benefits
The New York Workers’ Compensation Board gives the standard disability formula as two-thirds of average weekly wage multiplied by the degree of disability. A total temporary disability uses 100%. The Board commonly describes marked, moderate, and mild disability as 75%, 50%, and 25%, although the actual percentage can be disputed or set at another level from medical evidence.
When a worker returns at lower pay because of the injury, the Board separately describes reduced-earnings benefits as up to two-thirds of the difference between pre-injury AWW and current earnings. The calculator lets you model either route without treating the result as an official classification.
Current minimum and maximum weekly benefits
| Date of injury or disablement | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 | $384.45 | $1,281.50 |
| July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 | $325.00 | $1,222.42 |
| January 1–June 30, 2025 | $325.00 | $1,171.46 |
| July 1–December 31, 2024 | $275.00 | $1,171.46 |
| January 1–June 30, 2024 | $275.00 | $1,145.43 |
The benefit rate stays tied to the date of injury and does not rise merely because a later annual maximum becomes effective. If actual wages are below the minimum, the official rule uses actual wages. Compensation combined with decreased earnings or earning capacity also cannot exceed the wages received at injury.
Average weekly wage is a claim determination
New York AWW generally uses gross earnings from the 52 weeks before injury, not take-home pay. Overtime is included. Form C-240 records total gross pay and days paid. The Board describes separate multipliers for ordinary five-, six-, and four-day or seasonal schedules, while short employment may require a similar-worker record.
- Five-day work: total earnings ÷ days paid × 260 ÷ 52.
- Six-day work: total earnings ÷ days paid × 300 ÷ 52.
- Four-day or seasonal work may use total earnings ÷ days paid × 200 ÷ 52.
- Qualifying concurrent employment may permit both salaries to be included.
- Part-year work, short employment, workers under 25 with permanent injury, and other special facts can change the result.
This calculator asks for an accepted or estimated AWW rather than pretending that total wages divided by 52 is correct for every worker.
Examples using a 2026 injury date
$1,200 AWW
Two-thirds at 100% is $800.00. The current minimum and maximum do not change it.
$2,400 AWW
Two-thirds is $1,600, so the estimate is limited to $1,281.50.
$1,200 AWW, now $600
Two-thirds of the $600 difference is $400.00, subject to the claim findings.
Waiting period and payment timing
Lost-wage benefits are generally not paid for the first seven days of disability unless disability extends beyond 14 days. After more than 14 days, benefits may be awarded from the first workday the worker could not work. Medical care is not subject to the same lost-time threshold.
The calculator estimates a weekly rate only. It does not count calendar days, decide whether medical evidence supports disability, determine when the insurer must begin payment, or calculate credits for continued wages, disability benefits, unemployment, Social Security, or earlier awards.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a New York workers’ comp settlement calculator?
No. It estimates a weekly lost-wage rate. A settlement or permanency award can involve medical evidence, schedule loss of use, loss of wage-earning capacity, future care, prior payments, credits, liens, and negotiated terms.
Who decides the disability percentage?
Medical reports provide opinions. If the treating provider and insurer examiner disagree, the parties may reach an agreement or the Board may decide after a hearing.
Why can the minimum be less than $384.45?
For injuries on or after July 1, 2026, $384.45 is the indexed minimum, but a worker whose actual weekly wages were lower receives actual wages. The combined-payment cap can also affect partial or reduced-earnings cases.
Does the newest maximum apply to an older injury?
No. The Board says the benefit rate is determined by the injury date and does not increase when a later maximum is adopted.
Where can I review the whole claim process?
Read the New York Workers’ Compensation Guide and the New York Benefits Chart.
Official sources
- New York WCB lost wage benefits — formula, reduced earnings, disability percentage, minimum, maximum, and waiting period.
- New York WCB maximum weekly benefit schedule — date-of-injury rates.
- Subject Number 046-1805 — July 1, 2026 maximum and minimum.
- New York WCB calculating AWW — earnings record and ordinary schedule methods.
- New York WCB disability classifications — total and partial disability.
Page last reviewed: August 25, 2026. Verify future rates for injuries after June 30, 2027.