Opinion: New York should not force sick workers into poverty

New Yorkers already face one of the highest costs of living in the nation, with rising prices for rent, groceries, child care and utilities stretching family budgets to the breaking point. Yet if an individual gets sick or injured and cannot work, New York’s safety net adds insult to injury by forcing them into an even harsher reality: having to survive on just $170 per week.

That is the maximum weekly benefit provided through New York’s Temporary Disability Benefits program, a figure that hasn’t been updated since 1989. New York must raise disability benefits so they reflect the real cost of living in 2026, ensuring that workers who are temporarily unable to work are not forced into poverty simply because they got sick.

Back in 1989, when the state set the reimbursement rate at $170, it was more than the $117.25 a minimum wage worker earned in a 35-hour work week. Today, however, minimum wage workers in New York City, Long Island or Westchester earn about $595 for a 35-hour work week, while workers in the rest of the state earn about $560 per week. So, if one of those workers suffers an illness or off-the-job injury and must take disability leave, their income immediately drops to roughly 30% of their normal pay.

For families already navigating New York’s high costs, this is not a safety net; it’s a trap door.

The disparity becomes even clearer when we compare disability benefits with other leave programs. New York’s Paid Family Leave program provides benefits of up to $1,228.53 per week for workers who take time off to care for a loved one.

That program reflects our state’s commitment to supporting caregiving. But it also offers a stark perspective of the true lack of support extended to workers battling cancer, recovering from surgery or facing pregnancy complications. Those who are sick deserve the same support as those caring for their loved ones.

That is why I introduced the Equity in Leave Act, legislation that would modernize New York’s disability benefits and bring them into alignment with our state’s Paid Family Leave program. I am proud that the state Senate included this proposal in its recently released one-house budget – a clear signal that protecting workers during life’s most difficult moments must be a priority.

The Equity in Leave Act would align Temporary Disability Benefits with Paid Family Leave through a phased-in approach over four years, giving both employers and employees time to adjust.

It would also ensure that workers who take medical leave are protected from being terminated simply for taking the time they need to recover. No one should be punished for putting their health first.

This reform is especially important at a time when financial insecurity is already a reality for so many families. Research from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that two-thirds of employees who receive partial or no pay while on leave struggle to make ends meet, often cutting spending, dipping into savings, borrowing money or delaying bills. Medical-related income loss is also one of the most common contributors to personal bankruptcy.

New York has long been a national leader in protecting workers and supporting families. Our Paid Family Leave program set a national standard. But when it comes to disability, our policy remains stuck nearly 40 years in the past and 57% below the national average for temporary disability benefits. It’s about time we caught up to reality. 

The Senate’s decision to include the Equity in Leave Act in its budget proposal represents an important step forward. Now the Assembly and Gov. Kathy Hochul should join us in ensuring that this reform becomes part of the final state budget. Updating disability benefits to reflect today’s economy is a necessary and commonsense step toward making New York more affordable for working families.