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The Black Car Fund pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage while a work injury keeps you from driving, up to New York's weekly maximum. For injuries on or after July 1, 2026 (through June 30, 2027), the maximum is $1,281.50 a week (NYS Workers' Compensation Board). You get no cash for the first 7 days unless the disability lasts more than 14 days. Medical care and medicine are covered with no out-of-pocket cost (Black Car Fund).
This page covers the money. How to report and file is in the Black Car Fund claim guide.
The formula
For workers' comp, "The Black Car Fund is your employer" (BCF FAQs). Your benefits follow New York workers' compensation law. The Workers' Compensation Board gives the formula as:
2/3 × average weekly wage × % of disability = weekly benefit
The result is capped at the maximum for the date of your injury. The cap changes every July 1. If your injury happened between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, your cap is $1,222.42. A later increase doesn't raise a rate that was already set (WCB).
Worked examples (with your average weekly wage, before the cap):
| Average weekly wage | Disability | 2/3 × wage × % | Weekly benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,200 | 100% (can't work at all) | $800.00 | $800.00 |
| $1,200 | 50% (partial) | $400.00 | $400.00 |
| $2,100 | 100% | $1,400.00 | $1,281.50 (capped) |
Your average weekly wage and your disability percentage are decided in your case, based on records and medical evidence. Keep your weekly pay statements and tax forms. The Board's minimum weekly benefit for this period is $384.45, or your actual weekly wage if that is lower (WCB schedule). Its lost wage page explains how that applies.
When the money starts: the 7/14-day rule
The Fund says: "Compensation benefits are not paid for the first seven calendar days of the job-related disability unless the disability extends beyond 14 calendar days." If it goes past 14 days, the WCB says benefits start from the first work day you missed.
Medical and prescription benefits
The Fund lists medical benefits that "may include hospitalization, doctor services, dentist services, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, x-rays, laboratory tests, nursing service, durable medical goods and prescribed drugs." For medicine, Mitchell ScriptAdvisor network pharmacies bill the Fund directly, "so you do not have to pay out-of-pocket". If you don't have the card, call the claims team. The pharmacy network's number is 866-846-9279 (BCF).
If a driver dies from a work injury
Death and survivor benefits go to the surviving spouse and/or minor children. If there are none, they go to other dependents as defined by law. Funeral expenses are also paid, "subject to statutory maximums" (BCF).
Getting paid: the steps that protect the amount
The crash deadline planner works out these dates for you. On license surrender and return, see can I drive while on workers' comp.
Are you covered at all?
The Fund covers drivers affiliated with a member base: black car and luxury limousine bases, high-volume for-hire bases and app companies, and non-emergency medical transport bases (BCF FAQs). Yellow cab and livery drivers use other routes. See does the Black Car Fund cover yellow taxi drivers, the livery fund guide, and the overview hurt while driving: who pays. For street hails, see am I covered on a street hail. Why the Fund appears on your pay statement is explained in why does my Uber pay show the Black Car Fund. More on the safety hub.
This page explains how benefits are calculated. It is not legal advice. If your claim is disputed, talk to a workers' compensation lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
How much will the Black Car Fund pay me each week?
Two-thirds of your average weekly wage, adjusted for how disabled you are, up to the state maximum. For injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the NYS Workers' Compensation Board lists the maximum as $1,281.50 a week.
Why didn't I get paid for my first week off?
Under the waiting rule, cash benefits are not paid for the first seven days of disability. If the disability lasts more than 14 days, you are paid back from the first day you missed.
Do I pay for doctor visits or medicine?
The Black Car Fund says medical benefits can include hospital, doctor, physical therapy, chiropractic, x-rays, lab tests and prescribed drugs. Mitchell ScriptAdvisor network pharmacies bill the Fund directly, so you don't pay for medicine out of pocket.
Does the surcharge on my pay statement come out of my earnings?
No. The Black Car Fund says its surcharge is a percentage of the fare (not tips) that is paid entirely by passengers.
Can I keep driving while I get workers' comp?
Not if you claim an injury that stops you from working. TLC rule §80-13(b) says you must surrender your TLC license and stop driving. You get it back when you show you have recovered and benefits have ended.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- Black Car Fund: Claimant Benefits (read 2026-10-12) nybcf.org
- Black Car Fund: FAQs nybcf.org
- Black Car Fund: Reporting an Accident nybcf.org
- NYS Workers' Compensation Board: Lost Wage Benefits wcb.ny.gov
- NYS Workers' Compensation Board: Schedule of Maximum Weekly Benefit wcb.ny.gov
- NYS Workers' Compensation Board: File a Claim wcb.ny.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.