New York

NEW YORK (en español)

Last updated on March 12, 2018 by Matthew G. Kamine. (Please consider sending us a contribution at our office address specifically to help cover the administrative costs of updating this database – click here)

Please note that the information given here is intended as a general guideline. Please look into the specifics in your state to determine definitely if you qualify for one of the benefits listed here.  Your living organ donor coordinator may be a good resource for such information.

Most benefits are available in the state where you live, but also check for potential benefits in the state where you are donating if you are donating outside the state where you live.

Please discuss with your organ recipient options that may be available through his or her insurance.  Some private insurance companies offer transplant recipients travel and lodging benefits but do not care if recipients use that benefit themselves, or for a companion caregiver, or a donor.

There is one Federal program that provides money for travel and subsistence living for donors whose recipients can demonstrate need, please go to http://www.livingdonorassistance.org for more details.

All Federal Employees are eligible to take up to 30 days a year of paid leave for donating organs or seven days of paid leave for donating bone marrow. 5 U.S.C. § 6327.

New York permits state employees to take 7 days paid leave for bone marrow donation and 30 days for solid organ donation. This is in addition to any other annual sick leave. N.Y. Lab. Law § 202-b.  Any private employer who employs 20 or more employees must grant an employee up to 24 hours of unpaid leave for purposes of bone marrow donation. N.Y. Lab. Law § 202-a. If you work for a local government, please ask your human resources official if a similar provision has been adopted at your level of government.

New York allows organ donors to deduct up to $10,000 on their state income taxes for travel, lodging, and lost wages related to organ donation. N.Y. Tax Law § 612(c)(38)(A).

New York has provided paid family leave since January 2018. The maximum benefit is 50% of an employee’s weekly wage. This average is calculated based on the average of the last 8 weeks of pay. The current maximum leave duration per year is 8 weeks. Leave can be taken consecutively or in increments of full-days. Full-time employees are eligible if they work at least 20 hours a week after 26 weeks of employment. Part-time employees are eligible if they work less than 20 hours a week, and have worked at least 175 days.

https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-paid-family-leave/paid-family-leave-information-employees

Please note that the above paid family leave law do not specifically mention living organ donors but may apply in your situation. Please check with your employer / HR department.

For statutory and legislative action updates, see http://www.courts.state.ny.us/lawlibraries/nycodesstatutes.shtml. For executive orders, see http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/executive_orders/executive_orders.shtml.

If you work for a private company, check with your employer about the possibility of employer sponsored donation related paid leave for donations other than bone marrow donations.

Check with the living organ donor coordinator and/or transplant social worker at the transplant center where you plan to donate for more information about local organizations that support living donors.

 

Private non-government groups

(Many of these groups are set up to help transplant recipients but will also help organ donors)

The lung transplant educational support group at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center helps transplant patients with their lifestyle adaptations by providing a variety of staff to cater to patients’ needs.

The Transplant Awareness Group (TAG) is a support group that works to improve the quality of life for transplant candidates, recipients, and their families through providing support, raising awareness, and educating on organ donation.

The Transplant Awareness Organization (TAO) focuses on a variety of things, including providing support, education, and resources for transplant candidates, recipients, and their families, while also working actively to promote organ donation.

The Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) – Long Island Chapter is dedicated to improving the quality of lives of transplant patients through education, support, advocacy, and organ donation and transplantation awareness.

The Transplant Support Organization supports patients in all areas of transplantation. Their mission includes providing education, promoting organ and tissue donation as a social responsibility, increasing public awareness, and supporting patients, donors, and their families through the transplant process.

The Manhattan Chapter of TRIO provides support, education, and advocacy for pre and post-transplant patients and their families.

The “Other Living Donor Support Organizations” button on the right hand side of our home page lists some national organizations that may be of financial assistance.

 

Potential Sources for Local Non-Financial Assistance

These are organizations that have volunteer programs that help the elderly or disabled, but would probably also help recovering living organ donors if the situation is explained to them. It will take some discussion for them to even understand what living organ donation is and why donors need post-donation help, but once a relationship is established, you will have opened the door for other donors also to get help. The services offered vary, anything from running errands, rides to doctor’s appointments, and light yard work or housekeeping. Check with each organization individually to see if their volunteer services might be of assistance to you during your recovery after donation surgery