Who is Eligible for Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave?

All Massachusetts employees who have earned at least $5,700 over the prior 4 calendar quarters, and who have earned at least 30 times the benefit amount they are seeking, are eligible for Massachusetts paid family medical leave.

Unlike the federal FMLA, this does not have to be continuous service to one employer- just a total of $5,700 or more in wages within the prior year. This is in part because whenever an employee is paid through payroll, they are contributing through payroll deductions to the PFML fund, whether they work at one job during the year or several.

Independent contractors and self-employed individuals may also be eligible for leave, if they have opted to make contributions into the program.

The circumstances that qualify an employee for PFML are:

• Birth or adoption of a child, or time to bond with a child within 12 months of birth or adoption (up to 12 weeks);
• An employee's need to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition (up to 12 weeks);
• An employee's own serious health condition (up to 20 weeks); and

• ​An employee's need to care for an immediate family member in the military service with a serious health condition (up to 26 weeks).

Learn more here about the Massachusetts Paid Family Leave Law.

Need Help With Family Medical Leave Question?

Call (781) 784-2322

OR

Schedule a Free Information Call