Nonprofit leaders like myself dedicate ourselves to addressing social inequities and supporting those in need. Yet when it comes to temporary disability insurance (TDI) in New York, our sector faces a critical blind spot that contradicts our very mission.
TDI is New York’s paid medical leave program that workers rely on when they are navigating serious health issues like cancer, multiple sclerosis, complicated pregnancies, a need for mental health or substance use treatment, and much more. While New York’s Paid Family Leave program gives workers a maximum benefit of $1,177 per week, TDI provides just $170 per week to survive on.
This inadequate sum—unchanged since 1989—sends a troubling message that caring for loved ones is valued, but caring for oneself is not.
We must address this inequity by updating our state’s TDI program. This critical reform should be robustly supported by nonprofit leaders, small business owners and elected officials alike.
The Unjust Reality of Current Policy
New York’s current TDI system is more than outdated—it’s unjust. Providing $170 a week to someone who needs time off to care for a health condition means that workers in low-wage jobs simply cannot access this benefit.
Consider what $170 weekly means in practical terms. It equals $4.25 per hour for a 40-hour work week—far below minimum wage and insufficient for basic necessities.
Unless covered by another law that prohibits job loss while on leave, New Yorkers taking paid medical leave also lack job-protection and health insurance continuation–essential safeguards that are guaranteed to those taking paid family leave. Without the security of continued health insurance and a job to return to, many workers sacrifice their own health and often exacerbate health conditions instead of taking medical leave.
Once a national leader in workplace leave protections, New York now lags behind 14 other states when it comes to TDI. Our neighbors in Connecticut and New Jersey provide approximately $1,000 weekly—nearly six times what New Yorkers receive under TDI.
The hidden costs of inaction
Nonprofits already face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining talented staff, especially as burnout among workers in the sector continues to rise. New York requires employers to provide TDI, however small businesses and nonprofits often cannot afford to offer more robust short-term disability benefits, unlike larger companies who can. Strengthening safety nets like TDI at the state level is a vital step toward leveling the playing field—ensuring that all employees, regardless of their employer’s size, have access to the financial support they need when facing health crises.
Nonprofit leaders in particular should be at the forefront of supporting these bills. Our organizations rely on dedicated employees who give their time and passion to advancing social good. We must recognize that our staff cannot care for others in the community if they are unable to care for themselves.
Access to robust paid medical leave isn’t just critical to our staff, either. When I experienced debilitating pregnancy complications, I faced one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. Like so many others, I needed time off from work to prioritize my health and baby. It was important for me to take that time in order to demonstrate to my team that taking care of our own health must remain paramount in order to be able to do the important work we do to the best of our abilities.
While the current system forces workers to choose between recovery and financial stability, it also undermines the values and missions to which nonprofit leaders have dedicated themselves. Adequate, liveable paid medical leave should not be an optional benefit—it’s essential to fostering a healthier, more productive and resilient workforce.
A path forward
Senate Bill S172 and Assembly Bill A84, sponsored by Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages respectively, create a sustainable funding model that distributes costs fairly. The long-term benefits—including improved employee retention, enhanced productivity, and demonstrable commitment to equity—will ultimately strengthen nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and our state’s economy as a whole.
The cost of inaction is far greater than the price of providing workers with the dignity they deserve. It’s time for New York leaders to prioritize correcting this injustice by making these extremely overdue reforms to the TDI law.
Inimai Chettiar is president of A Better Balance, a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies and laws that support workers’ rights to care for themselves and their loved ones.
