NYS Workers' Comp Noncompliance Help That Gets You Back on Track
We help you answer a workers' comp non-compliance NY inquiry by matching your policy, FEIN and business records to the exact period on the Board's notice, so a coverage gap on record gets answered with proof instead of guesswork.
Received a Notice From NYS? Here's What It Means
An Employer Non-Compliance Notification, or inquiry notice, means the Workers' Compensation Board has no record of coverage for your business during the period listed, or your carrier reported a cancellation. It is a question about your coverage, and workers' comp non-compliance in NY is often resolved at this stage with the right documents.
We help you understand exactly what the notice is asking for and answer it with proof that fits that period. Our guidance is built on WCB processes and forms, and Karen Catalano's insurance experience since 1998 covers how carriers file and confirm coverage with the Board.
From our office in
Williamsville to employers in
Buffalo
and throughout Erie and Niagara counties, we handle WCB inquiry notices locally, and we work remotely with employers across New York State.
What Triggers a Noncompliance Notice
Noncompliance notices are typically issued when coverage records don't match what the state expects.
A lapse in workers' comp coverage
Missing or unverified policy records
Incorrect or incomplete business filings
Mismatched FEIN or entity details
Gaps between reported activity and coverage
When the gap is between your payroll and your coverage, our class code and payroll review lines up what your people do with how the policy is written.
If proof isn't provided, the state may assume a violation and move forward with penalties.
Why the Board Says You Had No Coverage When You Did
It is common to get this notice while holding a policy the whole time. The Board only sees coverage its records show, and the Board itself points to two reasons coverage can look missing:
Your carrier did not file the required proof-of-coverage transaction with the Board.
Your coverage was filed under a different FEIN than the one the Board has on record for your business.
In either case, the answer is showing the Board the policy that was in force and making sure the filing ties to the right FEIN. We compare your policy, FEIN and business records against the Board's record for the exact dates on the notice, so you can see where the mismatch is before you respond.
What Happens If an Employer Does Not Have Workers' Comp in New York?
This is the reason to answer an inquiry notice now rather than later. Under New York law, a period without coverage on record can lead to:
A penalty of up to $2,000 for each 10-day period without coverage, or twice the cost of compensation for that period.
Criminal charges, a misdemeanor for employers with five or fewer employees and a felony for employers with more than five.
Responsibility for the full cost of wage and medical benefits on any claim filed during the gap.
Possible stop-work orders.
Personal liability for sole proprietors, partners and corporate officers.
Most of this is avoided by showing the Board the coverage you had, or by closing a true gap quickly. If a penalty notice has already arrived, our WCB penalty notice help walks you through that stage.
What Proof the WCB Is Looking For
Proof of workers' comp coverage in NY has to match the period on the notice and what the Board accepts as valid documentation.
Workers' comp policy documents for the period in question
Proof of exemption (if applicable and valid for that period)
Payroll and business records supporting operations
FEIN and entity documentation that aligns with filings
Subcontractor certificates of insurance (if relevant)
Providing the right documents and organizing them clearly helps reduce delays and repeat requests.
What to Do Next, Step by Step
Answering early keeps the process manageable and gives you time to correct records before the Board decides anything.
01
Review the Notice Details
Identify the exact time period and issue being questioned.
02
Gather Coverage and Business Records
Collect policies, payroll and supporting documents tied to that timeframe.
03
Match Proof to the Requirement
Ensure your documentation directly addresses what the notice requests.
04
Organize a Clear Response
Structure your records so they are easy to review and verify.
05
Respond by the Date on the Notice
Send your response within the time the notice gives you, with every document tied to the period in question.
How to Answer the Notice Through the Board's Online Application
Most employers respond through the Board's Respond to Employer Notice application. It lets you:
Confirm your FEIN.
Update your business name and address.
Give the policy details for your coverage.
Report a change in business status.
Explain a gap, or why coverage was not required.
Policy details you enter there are not applied until your carrier confirms them, so we make sure what you submit matches what your carrier has on file.
The Board is also clear that a timely response to an inquiry notice does not by itself stop a penalty from issuing, because penalties are based on the time without coverage on record. That makes the proof itself the part that matters most.
Where Noncompliance Responses Often Go Wrong
Submitting incomplete or unrelated documentation
Missing the review deadline
Providing records that don't match the requested time period
Using forms that don't resolve the issue
Failing to align business and coverage records
These issues can delay resolution and lead to continued penalties.
Important: Using the Right Forms Matters
Not every form resolves a noncompliance inquiry. A CE-200 does not cover a past period on a notice, so filing one now will not answer the Board's question about the dates listed.
If you are checking whether your business was exempt from coverage, our
NYS workers' comp noncompliance guide explains who qualifies and how exemptions work.
A Noncompliance Notice, Answered With the Records Behind It
Every notice and every penalty depends on the employer's own records and circumstances. Results differ from case to case, and a past outcome does not promise a similar result.
– Owner and Partner, Richmond North and Associates, Amherst, NY
"As an owner and partner in Richmond North Associates I use Queen City Professional Services for all our insurance audit needs. I also highly recommend Karen and her team to our clients for several reasons, and below is just one example of why.
Karen Catalano saved one client over $21,000 in Workers Comp. penalties!
This client has 20+ years of payrolling in NYS when they received a Workers Comp Non Compliance Notice. The company had recently lost a partner and the other partners had no idea who was handling what or where to turn. I reached out to Karen for her help and expertise. Karen reviewed the policies, past processes and responded to NYS on our behalf with some delicate facts and documentation.
The NYS Workers Comp Board handled the process rather quickly and within six months the state reduced our penalty from $21,750 to $650!
It's hard to put into words the trust I have in Karen's professionalism and expertise but with results like this, it's very easy for me to highly recommend Karen and Queen City Professionals to my clients or anyone who has Workers Comp. needs."
Ready to Have This Handled for You?
We take your inquiry from the first notice through the Board's confirmation, with one point of contact the whole way. Your records are organized and checked against the notice's exact period before anything is submitted, and our guidance follows WCB processes and forms, backed by Karen Catalano's insurance experience since 1998.
We work from 1323 N Forest Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221, and help employers across New York, including
Rochester
and
Syracuse, locally or remotely.
What to Expect From Start to Finish
You begin with a review of your notice and current records to understand what's required. From there, your documentation is gathered, aligned, and organized to match the Board's expectations. You receive clear guidance on how to submit your response so it is complete and easy to review. The process is designed to reduce confusion, prevent delays, and help move toward resolution.
Notice review and requirement breakdown
Document collection and verification
Alignment of coverage and business records
Response preparation and submission guidance
Follow-up support as needed
Your Questions, Answered Clearly
I got an inquiry notice. What proof do they want?
The Board wants proof of workers' comp coverage, or proof of a valid exemption, for the exact period on the notice. Policy documents, FEIN and entity records, and payroll records for that timeframe are the usual starting point. The key is matching your proof to what the notice specifically asks.
How long do I have to request a review?
An inquiry notice gives you a date to respond, and answering before then gives you the best chance to correct the record. If you already received a penalty notice, requesting a review of that penalty is a separate step with its own deadline, which our WCB penalty notice help page covers.
Will penalties keep increasing while I wait?
Penalties are based on the time your business shows no coverage on record, so a gap that goes unaddressed can keep counting. Responding on its own does not stop a penalty, but showing the Board the coverage you had, or closing a true gap, does address what the penalty is based on.
Does a CE-200 fix a penalty notice?
No. A CE-200 does not cover a past period on a notice, so it will not resolve an inquiry or penalty for dates that have already passed. The Board needs proof of coverage or exemption for those specific dates.
Can this be resolved if I had coverage?
Yes. If you can provide valid proof of coverage or exemption for the period in question, the Board can review and correct its record. Often the fix is getting your carrier's filing tied to the right FEIN.
What happens if an employer does not have workers' comp in New York?
New York can issue a penalty of up to $2,000 for each 10-day period without coverage, or twice the cost of compensation for that period. The employer is also responsible for the full cost of any claim during the gap and can face criminal charges, stop-work orders and personal liability for owners and officers.
How do I show proof of workers' comp coverage to the Board?
Most employers respond through the Board's Respond to Employer Notice application, where you can confirm your FEIN and enter your policy details. Those policy details are not applied until your carrier confirms them, so they need to match what your carrier has on file.
Why does the Board say I had no coverage when I did?
The Board notes two common reasons: your carrier did not file its proof-of-coverage transaction with the Board, or it filed your coverage under a different FEIN than the Board has on record. Either one can be corrected once the right policy and FEIN records are matched to the period on the notice.
Answer Your Inquiry Notice With the Right Proof
The sooner the Board sees proof that fits the period on your notice, the sooner your inquiry can close. We help you gather the right records, match them to the notice and respond the right way the first time. Email or call us to talk through your notice.