Paid Family Leave for Self-Employed New Yorkers
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Disclaimer
This guide was last updated on July 17, 2026, and some of the information may have since changed. The information in this guide is not legal advice and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, do not rely on this information; instead, speak to an attorney.
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Self-employed New Yorkers, including independent contractors, are entitled to paid time off to care for a new child or sick family member.
You may be eligible to receive 67% of your income, up to $1,228.53 per week in 2026, for 12 weeks of bonding time in the first year. As a self-employed individual, your weekly benefits are based on the amount you earned in the past 52 weeks.
The first step is to purchase a policy for both disability insurance and Paid Family Leave within the first 26 weeks of starting your business. You can enroll after 26 weeks; however, you will not be able to take Paid Family Leave for 2 years. The New York State Department of Financial Services states that a self-employed person must obtain coverage within 26 weeks of first becoming self-employed, and each self-employed person only gets one 26-week period. A self-employed person, including sole proprietors and members of an LLC or LLP, does not reset the 26-week clock if that person changes from one type of business entity to another, for instance, from sole proprietor to LLC. The New York State Department of Financial Services maintains a list of insurance companies with approved plans.
Disability benefits provide weekly cash benefits to replace some of the wages you lose due to qualifying injuries and illnesses. Paid Family Leave provides paid time off to care for a new child and family members with qualifying health conditions.
The premium for Paid Family Leave is capped by New York State. Coverage will not cost you more than $411.91 per year in 2026.
You can find additional information here:
· on starting and operating your own business
· on Paid Family Leave
· on bonding leave
· on requesting Paid Family Leave
· on the Paid Family Leave premium cap
