Reviewed against NYS WCB primary sources · Last reviewed August 2026
When you get paid
When do New York workers' comp payments start — and how often?
Waiting on your first check is stressful. Here's exactly when payments begin, how often they arrive, and what happens if the insurer is late.
Key facts
- There's a 7-day waiting period with no cash benefits at the start.
- If your disability lasts more than 14 days, you're paid retroactively to day one.
- The insurer must start paying (or formally dispute) generally within 18 days.
- After that, benefits are paid at least every two weeks (biweekly) while you're disabled.
The timeline
Days 1–7
Waiting period
No cash benefits for the first 7 calendar days of disability (medical care is covered from day one).
~18 days
First payment (or a dispute)
If you've lost more than 7 days of work, the carrier must begin payments or file a Notice of Controversy.
Beyond 14 days
Retroactive pay
Once disability passes 14 days, the 7-day waiting period is erased and you're paid back to day one.
Ongoing
Every two weeks
Benefits continue biweekly while your disability and wage loss last.
If the insurer pays lateLate or missed payments can trigger penalties payable to you. If checks stop or never start, it's often a sign the claim is being controverted — don't wait to act. Estimate your weekly amount in the calculator.
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