Maternity and paternity leave in New York State
New York's Paid Family Leave is job-protected and open to both parents. Combined with disability benefits, it can cover most of your baby's first months.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
In New York, disability benefits (DBL) pay for pregnancy and recovery, usually 4 weeks before your due date and 6 after birth (8 after a cesarean), at 50% of wages up to $170 a week. Paid Family Leave then gives up to 12 weeks of job-protected bonding within the first year at 67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,228.53 a week in 2026.
The two programs
| Program | What it covers | Length | Pay (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Benefits (DBL) | Pregnancy and recovery | 4 weeks before the due date, 6 after birth (8 after a cesarean); longer with medical evidence | 50% of wages, capped at $170 a week |
| Paid Family Leave (PFL) | Bonding with your baby | Up to 12 weeks within the first 12 months | 67% of average weekly wage, up to $1,228.53 |
DBL and PFL together are capped at 26 weeks in a 52-week period. Sources: New York State Paid Family Leave and the Workers' Compensation Board, checked 13 October 2026.
Job protection
New York describes Paid Family Leave as job-protected, paid time off to bond with your newborn within the first 12 months. That is a real difference from states where the benefit program does not protect your job. Ask HR how your health insurance premiums are handled during the leave.
Deadlines and steps
- Disability: there is a 7-day waiting period. Ask your provider for the certification before the birth.
- PFL notice: notify your employer at least 30 days before the start of leave when it is foreseeable (a due date is).
- PFL claim: submit it to your employer's insurance carrier within 30 days after your leave starts.
- Proof of birth: you will need it for the bonding claim; keep a copy of the birth certificate or hospital record.
For the partner
Partners get their own 12 weeks of PFL to bond with the baby in the first year, at the same rate. You can take them all at once or intermittently, in full-day increments, within the first 12 months.
New York City and public-sector workers
Public employers have their own section on the Paid Family Leave site, and some unionized workplaces have their own rules. If you work for a city, a school district or the state, ask HR which leave and pay rules apply to you.
Why it matters
In a national US survey (Jou and colleagues, 2018), mothers who took paid leave had lower odds of re-hospitalizing their infants by 21 months postpartum than those with unpaid or no leave.
Checklist
See all states in paid family leave by state.
Questions parents ask
How long is maternity leave in NY?
Typically disability benefits for about 10 weeks around the birth (12 after a cesarean), followed by up to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave. Disability and Paid Family Leave together are capped at 26 weeks in 52.
How much is NY Paid Family Leave in 2026?
67% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,228.53 a week.
How long is paternity leave in NY?
Fathers and partners can take up to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave to bond with the baby within the first 12 months, at the same 67% rate and maximum.
Sources
- New York State Paid Family Leave — 2026 benefits checked October 13, 2026
- New York State Paid Family Leave — Bonding leave for the birth of a child checked October 13, 2026
- New York Workers' Compensation Board — Disability benefits, employee eligibility and benefits checked October 13, 2026
- Jou J et al. Paid Maternity Leave in the United States. Matern Child Health J 2018 (PMID 29098488, DOI 10.1007/s10995-017-2393-x) checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.