Learn about your state rules and eligibility.

State plan: Provides a baseline of benefits that all covered employers must offer.

State-approved private plans: Option to offer an approved private plan that meets or exceeds state benefits.

All private sector and some public sector employers are covered.

Worked in Washington at least 820 hours of employment during the qualifying period.

PML: Employee's own serious health condition.

PFL: Caring for a family member, child bereavement, bonding and qualifying exigency.

Requires continuation of health insurance benefits and reinstatement to previous or equivalent position if 1,250 hours worked are met in the 12 months before leave. For private plan, employee must have worked 965 hours for 9 months. Effective 1/1/26, for both state and private plans, employees must have worked for their current employer at least 180 calendar days prior to taking leave.

Benefit percentage: Up to 90% of income on a sliding scale.

Maximum weekly benefit: $1,647.

Waiting period: 7 calendar days (No waiting period for child bonding, post-natal medical leave and qualifying exigency).

Maximum duration:

• PML — 12 weeks total paid leave in a 52-week period. (14 weeks for a pregnancy that results in incapacity).
• PFL — 12 weeks in a 52-week period. Bereavement included in PFL weeks — limited to 7 calendar days following the death of a child within 12 months of birth or placement.

Combined — 16 weeks (18 weeks for a pregnancy that results in incapacity).

 

Total PFML cost is 1.13% of an employee's gross wages capped at the annual Social Security Maximum of $184,500.

Employee Contribution: 0.8072%.

Employer Contribution: 0.3228%.

• Employer may elect to pay all or part of the employee contribution.
• Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to pay the employer portion of the premiums.
• These rates are applicable to the state programs. Private carriers can set their own rates; however, employers are required to fund any additional cost of a private plan above the employee maximum contribution limits.