Bill > A01849

This bill increases temporary and permanent disability payments for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, specifically for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2024. The legislation amends existing laws to raise weekly benefit payments across various disability categories. For permanent total disability, the weekly payment will increase from $600 to $900 for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who lose their earning capacity entirely due to an injury. For temporary total disability, the weekly payment will increase to $900 for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2026, up from the current $650 for injuries between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2026. The bill also modifies permanent partial disability payments, increasing weekly amounts based on the percentage of earning capacity lost. For example, volunteers with a 75% or greater loss of earning capacity will receive $900 per week (up from previous amounts), those with 50-75% loss will receive $536 per week, those with 25-50% loss will receive $200 per week, and those with less than 25% loss will receive $50 per week. These changes aim to provide more financial support for volunteer first responders who are injured in the line of duty.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1849