Top Employer PFL FAQs

The PFL program provides wage replacement to employees to allow them to bond with a child, care for a close relative with a serious health condition or help relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service.

Bonding An employee may file for PFL to bond with their child during the first year after birth, or during the first year after placement of an adopted or foster child. An employee may apply for family leave before the actual placement for adoption or foster care. Examples of valid reasons for leave in this scenario: to attend counseling sessions, court appearances, attorney consultations or travel to another country to complete an adoption.

Care for a Family Member with a Serious Health Condition An employee may file for PFL to care for a close family member with a serious health condition. A close family member of the employee includes the employee's spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling. A "serious health condition" is an illness, injury impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves either (a) inpatient care or (b) continuing treatment or continuing supervision by a health care provider.

Qualifying Military Event An employee may file for PFL for a qualifying military event when a spouse, child, domestic partner, or parent of the employee is on active duty or has been notified of an impending call or order of active duty.

Employees who regularly work 20 or more hours per week may be eligible after they have worked for at least 26 consecutive weeks. Employees who work less than 20 hours per week may be eligible after they have worked at least 175 days.  

You can download/print your claim form here. Also provided are detailed instructions and a claim filing requirements chart. You can also download/print the claim filing requirement charts separately.  

The NYS PFL program reached the final phase of the PFL benefit implementation in 2021. For the year 2024, eligible employees will receive a portion of their weekly earnings during a qualifying leave period, subject to a New York State average weekly wage (NYSAWW) maximum, as follows:

Year	Weeks Available	% of Employee Salary	Up to a Maximum % of State Average Weekly Wage	Maximum Weekly Benefit Payout Amount
1/1/2018	8	50%	50%	$652.96
1/1/2019	10	55%	55%	$746.41
1/1/2020	10	60%	60%	$840.70
1/1/2021	12	67%	67%	$971.61
1/1/2022	12	67%	67%	$1,068.36
1/1/2023	12	67%	67%	$1,131.09
1/1/2024	12	67%	67%	$1,151.16

Examples:

In 2024, an employee who makes $700 a week would receive a benefit of $469 a week (67% of $700). An employee who makes $2,000 a week would receive a benefit of $1,151.16, because this employee is capped at 67% of New York State's Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW) — currently $1,718.15. 67% of the NYSAWW for use in 2024 brings you to the $1,151.16 maximum weekly benefit.

Employees are guaranteed to be able to return to their job and the employer must continue their health insurance coverage. It is important to note, employees must continue to pay their portion of the premium cost while on PFL. The employer must work out those details with the employees; this will not be handled through the PFL benefit.

If you have an employee handbook or any written guidance for employees regarding benefits or leave rights, you must include information concerning leave under PFL; which should include their rights and obligations under PFL and how to file a claim for this benefit. If you do NOT have written policies, manuals, or handbooks you still must provide written guidance to each of your employees regarding all of the employee's rights and obligations under PFL, including information on how to file a claim.

PFL is entirely employee-funded. Beginning on or after July 1, 2017, you may institute a payroll deduction to pay for the PFL benefit premium.

PFL only begins after birth. It is not available for prenatal conditions. The employee would file a DBL claim for the prenatal time period.

Yes. Citizenship status has no impact on PFL eligibility.

Yes. Immigration status has no impact on PFL eligibility.

An employee of a covered employer whose regular work schedule is less than 20 hours per week will become eligible to take family leave from their employer after working at least 175 days in that employment prior to the first full day leave begins.

No, if they are not working and are collecting workers' compensation, they may not use PFL.

Yes, you can choose to allow your employees to use their sick and vacation time so they may receive full salary. If you allow them to do this, you may request reimbursement of any approved PFL benefits. You cannot require them to use their PTO.

Once we receive a completed request for PFL with the necessary certification, we have 18 days to pay or deny a PFL claim.

Claim forms are available here for download/printing. Also provided are detailed instructions and a claim filing requirements chart. You can also download/print the claim filing requirement charts separately.

They can mail it to:	Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York P. O. Box 25339 Farmington, New York 14425
They can email it to:	claims@sslicny.com
Or
They can fax it to:	585-398-2854

Remind your employee to keep a copy of the claim for their records.

If you have any claim related questions not answered here, please contact us at 1-800-477-0087 or email us at claims@sslicny.com.

Yes, you are required to provide this coverage for all covered employees. You cannot opt out.

The premium rate and maximum employee contribution for coverage beginning January 1, 2024, will be 0.373% (0.00373) of an employee's weekly wage up to and not to exceed the statewide average weekly wage. The statewide average weekly wage as of January 1, 2024 is $1,718.15.

PFL and DBL will be billed separately on the same billing notice.