Paid Family and Medical Leave provides paid time off when you need it most. It’s here for you when a serious health condition prevents you from working or when you need time to care for a family member or a new child, or for certain military-related events.
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Many Washington parents are now eligible for a new statewide program that provides paid time off from work to care for a new child in the family.
- Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave a year to welcome a new child into the family after birth, adoption or through foster care.
- You may qualify for up to 12 weeks of paid leave to bond with a new baby or child. Bonding during the first weeks is critical for your child’s development and your wellbeing.
- If you give birth to a baby, you qualify for up to 16 weeks of combined medical and family leave. An additional two weeks is possible if you have serious medical issues due to your pregnancy.
- All parents are eligible for bonding leave.
- The state program also provides paid leave to care for yourself or a family member with a serious medical condition such as your baby being born premature and spending their first weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
- You have already earned the benefit by contributing a small amount each paycheck to the new state insurance program.
- Undocumented families are eligible.
Visit the website for details: https://paidleave.wa.gov/apply-now/
