New York Lawmakers Discuss Pay Boost for Disability Care Workers

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York state lawmakers met with self-advocates, families, and agencies that serve people with disabilities to discuss the need for higher pay for direct-care workers. With inflation rising and wages stagnant, advocates argue that better compensation is necessary to build a sustainable workforce that can afford to stay in the vital roles they serve.

Why it matters

Direct-care workers play a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities, but low pay and high turnover have led to staffing shortages that jeopardize the quality of care. Addressing this pay gap is seen as key to attracting and retaining experienced caregivers who can provide consistent, high-quality support.

The details

The meeting took place at the Jawonio facility in New City, NY on February 13, 2026. Advocates pressed state lawmakers to include funding in the upcoming budget to raise wages for direct-care workers, who often earn just above minimum wage despite the skilled, demanding nature of their jobs. They argued that better pay is necessary to build a stable workforce that can afford to stay in the field they are passionate about.

• The meeting was held on February 13, 2026.
• Lawmakers are currently considering the state's upcoming budget, which advocates hope will include funding to raise direct-care worker wages.

What’s next

Lawmakers will determine if funding for higher direct-care worker wages is included in the final state budget.