WorkersCompDecodedIndependent guide · New York edition
Reviewed against NYS WCB primary sources · Last reviewed August 2026

The data no one compiles

NY maximum weekly benefit rates (2007–2026)

The maximum weekly benefit is two-thirds of the New York State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) and changes every July 1 — but the rate that governs a claim is the one in effect on the date of injury. Hurt in 2018? Your cap is $904.74, not today's figure. Here's the full history back to the 2007 reforms, with the SAWW that drove each rate.

Key facts
Maximum & minimum weekly benefit by date-of-injury period — Source: NYS WCB
Injury period (Jul 1–Jun 30)Max weeklyMin weeklyState AWW driving it
7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026$1,222.42$325.00$1,833.63
7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025$1,171.46$275.00$1,757.19
7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024$1,145.43$275.00$1,718.15
7/1/2022 – 6/30/2023$1,125.46$150.00$1,688.19
7/1/2021 – 6/30/2022$1,063.05$150.00$1,594.57
7/1/2020 – 6/30/2021$966.78$150.00$1,450.17
7/1/2019 – 6/30/2020$934.11$150.00$1,401.17
7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019$904.74$150.00$1,357.11
7/1/2017 – 6/30/2018$870.61$150.00$1,305.92
7/1/2016 – 6/30/2017$864.32$150.00$1,296.48
7/1/2015 – 6/30/2016$844.29$150.00$1,266.44
7/1/2014 – 6/30/2015$808.65$150.00$1,212.98
7/1/2013 – 6/30/2014$803.21$150.00$1,204.82
7/1/2012 – 6/30/2013$792.07$150.00$1,188.11
7/1/2011 – 6/30/2012$772.96$100.00$1,159.44
7/1/2010 – 6/30/2011$739.83$100.00$1,109.75
7/1/2009 – 6/30/2010$600.00$100.00—
7/1/2008 – 6/30/2009$550.00$100.00—
7/1/2007 – 6/30/2008$500.00$100.00—

The 2007–2009 maximums ($500 / $550 / $600) were flat amounts set by the March 2007 reform; SAWW-based indexing began July 1, 2010. The minimum was frozen at $150 from 2013 until 2023 legislation stepped it to $275 (2024) and $325 (2025); from July 1, 2026 it auto-indexes to one-fifth of the SAWW ($384.45 for 2026–27). Minimums are keyed to the calendar-year date of injury; confirm a mid-period injury with the Board.

Why this mattersIf a website quotes "the" NY workers' comp maximum, it's quoting this year's number. For an older injury, your benefit rate — and the value of any permanent award — is locked to your injury year above. Plug your year into the calculator.

The maximum benefit in today's dollars

Dollar figures from different years aren't comparable until you adjust for inflation. Using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U index, here is each year's maximum weekly benefit restated in 2026 dollars — the real value of the cap at the time it was set.

NY maximum weekly benefit, nominal vs. 2026 dollars (CPI-U, BLS)
Injury periodNominal maxIn 2026 dollars
7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026$1,222.42$1,268.02
7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025$1,171.46$1,247.14
7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024$1,145.43$1,255.39
7/1/2022 – 6/30/2023$1,125.46$1,284.26
7/1/2021 – 6/30/2022$1,063.05$1,310.10
7/1/2020 – 6/30/2021$966.78$1,247.44
7/1/2019 – 6/30/2020$934.11$1,220.13
7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019$904.74$1,203.21
7/1/2017 – 6/30/2018$870.61$1,186.12
7/1/2016 – 6/30/2017$864.32$1,202.61
7/1/2015 – 6/30/2016$844.29$1,189.60
7/1/2014 – 6/30/2015$808.65$1,140.76
7/1/2013 – 6/30/2014$803.21$1,151.40
7/1/2012 – 6/30/2013$792.07$1,152.07
7/1/2011 – 6/30/2012$772.96$1,147.54
7/1/2010 – 6/30/2011$739.83$1,133.05
7/1/2009 – 6/30/2010$600.00$933.96
7/1/2008 – 6/30/2009$550.00$853.10
7/1/2007 – 6/30/2008$500.00$805.30
Two things the inflation math reveals1. The cap has outpaced inflation. Because it's tied to statewide wages, the maximum's real value has grown about 57% since 2007 — faster than prices. 2. But frozen benefits quietly erode. Your rate is locked to your injury date and never rises, so a benefit set at the 2007 maximum has lost roughly 38% of its purchasing power to inflation over a long claim.

CPI-U (all urban consumers, U.S. city average, BLS series CUUR0000SA0), converted using the June 2026 index as the 2026 reference. Each July–June period is matched to its starting calendar year.

Sources for this page