New York Workers’ Compensation Benefits Chart 2026
Current weekly minimums and maximums, lost-wage formulas, medical coverage, schedule loss of use, death benefits, and controlling dates.
Current New York weekly limits
For injuries or occupational-disease disablement dates from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the New York State Average Weekly Wage is $1,922.25. Two-thirds sets the maximum and one-fifth sets the minimum.
| Current item | Amount | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,281.50 | Tied to the injury date |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $384.45 | Actual wages apply if lower |
| NYSAWW used for current limits | $1,922.25 | Calendar-year 2025 statewide wage |
Compensation plus decreased earnings or earning capacity cannot exceed wages at the time of injury. Use the New York Weekly Benefit Calculator for an itemized estimate.
Lost-wage benefit formulas and timing
| Benefit situation | General official calculation or rule |
|---|---|
| Temporary total disability | 2/3 × AWW × 100%, subject to date-of-injury limits. |
| Temporary partial disability | 2/3 × AWW × medical degree of disability, subject to limits. |
| Reduced earnings | Up to 2/3 × (pre-injury AWW − current earnings). |
| Waiting period | No lost-wage benefit for first seven days unless disability extends beyond 14 days. |
| Payment start on accepted claim | Board guidance describes payment within 18 days of injury or 10 days after employer knowledge, whichever is later, when the claim and lost-time conditions are met. |
Medical evidence, work capacity, wage records, continued wages, disputes, credits, and other benefits can alter the actual payment.
Average weekly wage reference
| Work pattern | Board-described starting method |
|---|---|
| Generally five days per week | Total earnings ÷ days paid × 260 ÷ 52 |
| Generally six days per week | Total earnings ÷ days paid × 300 ÷ 52 |
| Generally four days or seasonal | Total earnings ÷ days paid × 200 ÷ 52 may apply |
| Short employment | Employer completes C-240 and may provide similar-worker wages |
| Concurrent employment | Both salaries may be included depending on circumstances |
The wage record ordinarily covers 52 weeks, uses gross earnings, and includes overtime. These are starting rules, not a substitute for an accepted AWW determination.
Permanency and schedule loss of use
A qualifying schedule loss of use award is based on the body-part schedule, the Board-determined loss percentage, AWW, the weekly rate, and credit for temporary benefits already paid. The following are maximum statutory weeks before applying the loss percentage.
| Body part | Maximum weeks | Body part | Maximum weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | 312 | Leg | 288 |
| Hand | 244 | Foot | 205 |
| Eye | 160 | Thumb | 75 |
| First finger | 46 | Big toe | 38 |
| Second finger | 30 | Other toe | 16 |
| Third finger | 25 | Fourth finger | 15 |
SLU also covers qualifying hearing, vision, and disfigurement claims under their specific rules. Non-schedule permanent partial disability uses loss of wage-earning capacity and duration rules that are not represented by this table.
Medical and death benefits
| Category | General official rule |
|---|---|
| Medical care | Covered care can include medical, dental, surgical, optometry, medically necessary drugs, and assistive devices for the compensable condition. |
| Treatment travel | Mileage, public transportation, and other necessary treatment expenses may be reimbursable; preserve receipts. |
| Weekly death benefit | Generally 2/3 of the deceased worker’s AWW for the 52 weeks before accident, allocated among eligible dependents and capped by the injury-date maximum. |
| Funeral or memorial — listed downstate counties | Up to $12,500 in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. |
| Funeral or memorial — other counties | Up to $10,500. |
| No qualifying dependents | Surviving parents or the estate may be entitled to $50,000 under the Board-described rule. |
Recent weekly benefit-rate history
| Injury-date period | 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 |
| July 1–December 31, 2023 | $150.00 | $1,145.43 |
The 2024 and 2025 minimum increases began January 1, while maximums continued to change July 1. That is why a single calendar-year row can be misleading.
Official sources
- New York WCB maximum weekly benefit schedule.
- Subject Number 046-1805 — July 1, 2026 rates and NYSAWW.
- New York WCB lost wage benefits.
- New York WCB calculating AWW.
- New York WCB schedule loss of use.
- New York WCB death claims.
Chart last reviewed: August 25, 2026. Match every figure to the injury or disablement date.