How to Apply for New York State Disability

If you become disabled while working you might not be able to continue working. Because of this you would need financial assistance to pay for living expenses. Disability payments from New York are available, but you must meet certain requirements to apply.

Instructions

• 1

  Find out if you are eligible for disability. To be eligible you must have worked at least four weeks for one employer or changed jobs recently between employers with more than one employee. Government employees cannot qualify for disability.

• 2

  Get form DB-450 from your employer if the company is part of the New York State Insurance Fund. If your employer is not part of the program, you can still download the form at the fund's website. For employers who have a third party insurer, you must request they obtain the correct forms from their carrier.

• 3

  Fill out the paperwork. Form DB-450 comes in three parts. Part A is filled out by you; part B is filled out by your health-care professional; part C is filled out by the employer. Make sure your writing is legible and all questions are answered before signing the form.

• 4

  File the paperwork within 30 days of the disability. You can send a copy of the form while keeping a copy for yourself. In the case of private insurance, the forms must be sent to the provider; state insurance forms are mailed to NYSIF-Disability Benefits Claims, 225 Oak St., Buffalo, NY 14203.

• 5

  Plan on receiving half of the average gross pay from your last eight weeks of work. The benefit maximum is $170 per week as of 2010. Temporary benefits are limited to a 26-week total within any 52-week period.