NY S01023

Lowers the wage-earning capacity loss threshold from 75% to 50% for claimants to request reclassification to permanent total disability or total industrial disability.

Removes the previous requirement that reclassification requests be made within one year prior to the scheduled exhaustion of indemnity benefits.

Defines "extreme hardship" to include: (a) social security disability and pension income falling below 50% of average weekly wage; (b) inability to meet living expenses for self and dependents; (c) additional medical, functional, or vocational factors that have reduced wage-earning capacity; or (d) income falling below federal poverty guidelines.

Effective immediately upon enactment.