Planning time away from work to welcome a child, care for a seriously ill family member, or support a loved one during a military deployment can raise an important financial question: How much will you receive while you are on leave?
The New York Paid Family Leave Calculator on this page helps you estimate your weekly benefit, your potential total payment, and the difference between your regular wages and your leave income.
For leave beginning in 2026, eligible New York employees can generally receive 67% of their average weekly wage, up to $1,228.53 per week, for a maximum of 12 weeks. The maximum possible benefit over 12 weeks is $14,742.36. Your actual payment depends on your qualifying wages, leave dates, eligibility, and the insurance carrier’s determination.
Use the calculator below as a planning estimate, then verify your situation with the official New York Paid Family Leave program.
New York Paid Family Leave Calculator
Estimate your 2026 weekly PFL benefit, total payment, and potential gross income gap using recent wages.
Wage history: first eight-week period
Enter gross wages for each week in the applicable period. Use 0 only if no wages were earned for that week.
Wage history: second eight-week period
Enter the other applicable eight-week period. If you do not have the figures, use the first-period average as a rough estimate, but the result will not fully verify the official higher-of-two calculation.
Your estimated benefit
Enter your wage history and select Calculate to see your results.
New York PFL Payroll Deduction Calculator (2026)
Estimate your employee contribution using the 2026 rate of 0.432% of gross wages, subject to the annual $411.91 maximum.
New York Paid Family Leave Calculator: Quick Results for 2026
New York’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program provides eligible employees with paid, job-protected time away from work for certain family-related needs.
Here are the main figures for the 2026 benefit year:
| PFL rule | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Benefit percentage | 67% of average weekly wage |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,228.53 |
| Maximum leave duration | 12 weeks |
| Maximum total benefit | $14,742.36 |
| Employee contribution rate | 0.432% of gross wages |
| Maximum annual employee contribution | $411.91 |
| New York State average weekly wage used for the cap | $1,833.63 |
These figures come from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board’s 2026 announcement and official program materials.
The weekly maximum is calculated as 67% of $1,833.63. Workers who earn more than the relevant state wage cap do not receive 67% of their entire salary; their weekly PFL benefit is limited by the statutory maximum.
Official reference: New York State Paid Family Leave
How to Use the New York PFL Calculator
To get a useful estimate, start with your recent gross wages rather than your take-home pay after taxes and deductions.
- Gather your recent pay stubs.
- Identify your gross wages for the relevant eight-week periods before your leave.
- Enter your weekly wage information in the calculator, where available.
- Select the number of leave weeks you expect to take.
- Calculate the estimated weekly benefit and total payment.
- Compare the result with your regular gross pay to estimate your income gap.
If your pay changed recently, you received commissions or bonuses, or you work multiple jobs, a simple salary conversion may not reflect your official average weekly wage. Your insurer may need to review your actual wage history and applicable rules.
The calculator provides an estimate for planning. It does not determine eligibility, approve a claim, or replace the insurer’s calculation.
How Much Does New York Paid Family Leave Pay?
For qualifying leave beginning in 2026, New York PFL generally replaces 67% of the employee’s average weekly wage, subject to the state maximum.
For example, consider an employee whose qualifying average weekly wage is $1,000.
- Average weekly wage: $1,000
- Benefit percentage: 67%
- Estimated weekly PFL payment: $670
- Leave duration: 8 weeks
- Estimated total PFL payment: $5,360
The calculation is:
$1,000 × 67% = $670 per week
$670 × 8 weeks = $5,360
This example assumes the employee qualifies for the leave, the $1,000 figure is the correct benefit calculation base, and all eight weeks are payable. It does not include taxes, employer-provided supplemental benefits, or other adjustments.
What if you earn more than the state wage cap?
Suppose your qualifying average weekly wage is $2,000.
Sixty-seven percent of $2,000 is $1,340. However, the maximum weekly PFL benefit for 2026 is $1,228.53.
Your estimated weekly benefit would therefore be capped at $1,228.53 rather than $1,340.
| Qualifying weekly wage | 67% before cap | Estimated weekly benefit |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | $335.00 | $335.00 |
| $1,000 | $670.00 | $670.00 |
| $1,500 | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 |
| $2,000 | $1,340.00 | $1,228.53 |
| $2,500 | $1,675.00 | $1,228.53 |
These are illustrative calculations using the 2026 cap, not official benefit determinations.
How Is Your Average Weekly Wage Calculated?
Your average weekly wage (AWW) is one of the most important factors in your PFL estimate.
New York’s calculation generally uses recent wages, including the applicable eight-week wage periods. Under the relevant rules, the insurer considers the average for the eight weeks including the week your leave begins and the average for the eight weeks before that, using the higher applicable average.
This detail matters if your income has recently increased, decreased, or varied from week to week.
Why your last eight weeks matter
Imagine that your wages changed before your leave:
| Week | Gross wages |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | $900 |
| Week 2 | $950 |
| Week 3 | $1,000 |
| Week 4 | $1,000 |
| Week 5 | $1,050 |
| Week 6 | $1,050 |
| Week 7 | $1,100 |
| Week 8 | $1,150 |
The total is $8,200.
The average for these eight weeks is:
$8,200 ÷ 8 = $1,025 per week
Sixty-seven percent of $1,025 is $686.75. If $1,025 is the applicable official average and no other adjustment applies, the estimated weekly benefit would be $686.75.
This example demonstrates the arithmetic only. It does not replace the insurer’s review of the correct wage periods, included earnings, or any other applicable rule.
What happens if you receive bonuses or commissions?
Variable compensation may affect your wage history. Do not automatically assume that your base salary alone represents your qualifying average weekly wage.
Keep records of your gross wages, commissions, bonuses, and pay periods. Ask your employer or insurance carrier how your particular earnings are treated when calculating your benefit.
What if you work more than one job?
If you hold multiple jobs, eligibility and benefit calculations may depend on the covered employment and the program’s rules. New York’s official guidance says employees taking PFL from multiple jobs must take the leave from both employers at the same time.
Do not simply add every income source into a calculator and assume the result will be approved. Confirm which wages and employment relationships apply to your claim.
Official guidance: New York Paid Family Leave for Family Care and Application Information
How Much Can You Receive Over 12 Weeks?
The total benefit depends on your approved weekly amount and the number of payable leave weeks.
For an employee receiving $670 per week, the estimates would be:
| Leave duration | Estimated total benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 week | $670 |
| 4 weeks | $2,680 |
| 6 weeks | $4,020 |
| 8 weeks | $5,360 |
| 10 weeks | $6,700 |
| 12 weeks | $8,040 |
The statutory maximum for someone receiving the maximum $1,228.53 weekly benefit for all 12 weeks is $14,742.36.
These figures assume full payable weeks and an unchanged weekly benefit. Actual claims can differ, particularly when leave is intermittent or only certain days are payable.
How Much Income Will You Lose While on PFL?
PFL does not necessarily replace your entire paycheck. Planning for the difference between your regular wages and your benefit can help you prepare for housing costs, childcare, groceries, transportation, and other bills.
Use this formula for a basic gross-income comparison:
Weekly income gap = Regular gross weekly wages − Estimated weekly PFL benefit
For example, if your regular gross weekly wage is $1,000 and your estimated PFL benefit is $670:
- Regular weekly gross wages: $1,000
- Estimated weekly PFL benefit: $670
- Gross weekly income gap: $330
- Gross income gap over eight weeks: $2,640
This is not necessarily the amount you will lose after taxes. Your usual paycheck and PFL payment may have different tax withholding, deductions, and benefit arrangements.
A practical way to prepare is to calculate your expected leave income first, then compare it with your essential monthly expenses. Avoid making major financial commitments based only on an online estimate.
New York PFL Payroll Deductions in 2026
New York Paid Family Leave is generally funded through employee payroll contributions for covered private-sector employment.
For 2026, the employee contribution rate is 0.432% of gross wages per pay period, up to a maximum annual contribution of $411.91.
For example, if your gross wages are $1,000 in a pay period, the basic contribution calculation is:
$1,000 × 0.00432 = $4.32
Your actual deduction can vary with your earnings in each pay period. The annual maximum is a cap, not a flat charge that every employee must pay.
If you earn less than the New York State average weekly wage used for the cap, your annual contribution may be less than $411.91.
Is the PFL payroll deduction the same as your benefit?
No. Your payroll contribution helps fund the program, while your PFL benefit is based on the applicable wage-replacement formula and statutory limit.
Do not calculate your benefit by multiplying your annual PFL deductions. The contribution amount and the benefit amount are separate calculations.
Official reference: 2026 New York PFL updates
Who Is Eligible for New York Paid Family Leave?
Eligibility depends on your employment arrangement, work schedule, employer coverage, and other program rules.
Under the general New York rules:
- Employees whose regular schedule is 20 or more hours per week are generally eligible after 26 consecutive weeks of employment.
- Employees whose regular schedule is less than 20 hours per week are generally eligible after working 175 days for their employer; those days do not need to be consecutive.
- Most eligible employees of private employers are covered, while public employers may choose to provide coverage.
Special rules and exceptions can apply. For example, construction employees working for multiple employers may be affected by specific eligibility provisions. Do not rely solely on the general schedule rules if your employment situation is unusual.
Citizenship or immigration status is not a factor in eligibility under the program’s published Statement of Rights.
To verify your situation, check the current official eligibility guidance: New York Paid Family Leave.
What Reasons Qualify for Paid Family Leave?
New York PFL is intended for qualifying family-related circumstances, not every reason someone needs time off work.
1. Bonding with a new child
Eligible employees may take leave to bond with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child, subject to the program’s documentation and timing requirements.
2. Caring for a family member with a serious health condition
Eligible workers may take leave to care for a covered family member with a serious health condition. Covered relationships include a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling, subject to the program’s definitions and requirements.
The family member does not necessarily have to live in New York.
3. Certain military family needs
Eligible workers may take leave to assist a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent when that family member is deployed abroad on active military service, as defined by the program.
Official details: Paid Family Leave for Family Care
Paid Family Leave vs. Disability Benefits in New York
One common source of confusion is the difference between Paid Family Leave and New York Disability Benefits Law (DBL).
| Feature | Paid Family Leave | Disability Benefits Law |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Qualifying family care, bonding, and military-related needs | The employee’s own qualifying off-the-job illness or injury |
| Typical examples | Bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill relative | The employee’s own medical condition, including qualifying pregnancy-related disability |
| Benefit formula | Generally 67% of AWW, subject to the PFL cap | A separate statutory formula and limits |
| Maximum duration | Up to 12 weeks | A separate limit applies |
| Same benefit program? | No | No |
Pregnancy-related leave can involve both programs at different times, depending on the circumstances. PFL is not a substitute for disability benefits for an employee’s own medical condition.
Do not use a PFL estimate as an estimate of DBL payments. Confirm which program applies to your situation.
Official reference: New York Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave Insurance
How to Apply for New York Paid Family Leave
The calculator can help you plan financially, but you must follow the official claim process to request benefits.
Step 1: Tell your employer
If your need for leave is foreseeable, New York’s guidance generally requires you to notify your employer at least 30 days before the leave begins. If it is not foreseeable, notify your employer as soon as practicable.
Step 2: Get the correct forms
The forms and supporting documents depend on the reason for leave. They are available through your employer, its insurance carrier, or the official New York program.
Step 3: Complete your request and supporting documents
Provide the required employee information and supporting documentation. Bonding and family-care claims have different documentation requirements.
Step 4: Submit the request to the appropriate insurance carrier
Follow the official instructions for submitting your completed request. Keep copies of your forms and records of the submission.
Step 5: Follow up on your claim
The insurer reviews the claim and determines eligibility and benefits. If the insurer needs more information, respond promptly and retain copies of any communication.
For current forms and instructions, visit Paid Family Leave — How to Apply.
When Can You Expect Payment?
New York’s official guidance states that, in most cases, the insurance carrier will pay benefits or deny a claim within 18 days of receiving the completed request or the first day of leave, whichever is later. Subsequent payments are generally made biweekly.
This is a general program guideline, not a guarantee that every claim will be resolved within that period. Missing forms, incomplete documentation, or claim-specific issues may affect timing.
Your insurance carrier is the appropriate source for the status of your individual claim.
Are New York PFL Benefits Taxable?
Paid Family Leave benefits are taxable under New York’s published tax guidance. Taxes are not automatically withheld from benefits, although employees may request voluntary withholding under the applicable instructions.
This means the benefit estimate from the calculator should be treated as a gross estimate, not a guaranteed after-tax deposit.
Your final tax situation may depend on your circumstances. For tax questions, consult the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance or a qualified tax professional.
Why Your Actual PFL Payment May Differ from the Calculator
An online estimate is useful only when you understand what it can and cannot calculate.
Your approved benefit may differ because:
- The wages you entered are not the wages used by the insurer.
- Your recent pay varied, or bonuses and commissions need to be considered.
- The applicable eight-week wage periods differ from the periods entered.
- The statutory weekly cap limits your payment.
- Your leave is intermittent or includes partial weeks.
- You do not qualify for the number of weeks entered.
- Your claim is subject to program-specific rules or adjustments.
- Your displayed estimate is before taxes or other adjustments.
For these reasons, keep your pay stubs and verify your final benefit with the insurance carrier. The calculator is a planning tool, not an official benefit determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum New York PFL benefit in 2026?
The maximum is $1,228.53 per week for leave beginning in 2026. Eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks, making the maximum total benefit $14,742.36.
Does New York PFL pay 100% of my salary?
No. The general benefit is 67% of the applicable average weekly wage, subject to the statutory weekly maximum. The benefit may therefore replace less than 67% of the wages of a high earner whose payment reaches the cap.
How do I calculate my weekly PFL benefit?
As a basic estimate, multiply your applicable average weekly wage by 67%, then apply the 2026 maximum weekly benefit of $1,228.53. The insurer determines the correct wage base and applies any relevant rules.
Is the last eight weeks of pay important?
Yes. The applicable recent wage periods are important to New York’s benefit calculation. Under the relevant rule, the insurer considers the two specified eight-week averages and uses the higher applicable average. A single annual salary figure may not fully reflect that calculation.
How much is the PFL deduction from a paycheck in 2026?
The 2026 employee contribution is 0.432% of gross wages per pay period, subject to the maximum annual contribution of $411.91. For $1,000 in gross wages in a pay period, the basic calculation is $4.32.
Can part-time employees qualify for PFL?
Yes. Employees with regular schedules below 20 hours per week may generally qualify after working 175 days for their employer, subject to the program’s rules and coverage requirements.
Can I use PFL for my own illness?
PFL generally covers qualifying family-related needs, not the employee’s own illness. Your own qualifying off-the-job illness or injury may fall under New York Disability Benefits Law instead.
Does PFL cover caring for a parent who lives outside New York?
New York’s official guidance permits qualifying family care for a covered relative who lives outside the state, subject to eligibility, the serious-health-condition definition, and documentation requirements.
When should I notify my employer?
If your leave is foreseeable, notify your employer at least 30 days before it begins when required by the program guidance. If it is not foreseeable, notify your employer as soon as practicable.
Is the calculator an official New York government tool?
No. The calculator on NewYorkCalculator.com is an independent estimate. The official New York program and the insurance carrier responsible for your claim determine eligibility and approved benefits.
Official New York Paid Family Leave Resources
For the most reliable and current information, consult these primary sources:
- New York State Paid Family Leave — program information, eligibility, forms, and employee resources.
- 2026 PFL benefit and contribution update — official weekly benefit cap and contribution rate.
- Paid Family Leave for Family Care — qualifying family relationships, application instructions, and payment guidance.
- New York Disability Benefits and PFL Insurance — information about the separate disability benefits program.
Important disclaimer: This article and its calculator are for general informational and financial-planning purposes only. They do not provide legal, tax, insurance, or government advice and do not guarantee eligibility or payment. Program rules and annual benefit limits can change. Verify the rules applicable to your leave date with the official New York program and your insurance carrier.
By Junaidul Islam
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026