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What MA Paid Family & Medical Leave Can be
Used For

Paid Family & Medical Leave in Massachusetts provides benefits for leave taken for certain family and/or medical reasons:

  • Bond with a new child (birth, adopted, or foster)
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition
  • Care for a family member who is a covered service member with an illness or injury related to active service
  • Attend to family matters due to a qualifying military exigency
  • Manage and/or recover from your own serious health condition

Old couple discussing at the dining table

 

Type of MA Paid Family & Medical Leave Benefits

MA Paid Family & Medical Leave Benefit Amounts

Regardless of the type of leave an employee takes, the weekly PFML benefit is made up of two factors, capped at the Maximum Weekly Benefit.

Weekly Benefit Calculation:

  • 80% of the portion of the employee’s average weekly wage that is equal to or less than 50% of the State average weekly wage (SAWW);
  • Plus 50% of the portion of the employee’s average weekly wage that is more than 50% of the SAWW;
  • Capped at the Maximum Weekly Benefit.

The SAWW is adjusted annually. As of October 5, 2023, the SAWW is set at $1,796.72. For the MA PFML program it takes effect January 1, 2024.
The Maximum Weekly Benefit for 2024 is $1,149.90. The Maximum Weekly Benefit is adjusted annually on or before October 1st to be 64% of the SAWW, and takes effect on January 1 following the adjustment

 

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What is my benefit amount?

Benefit
Calculator

MA Paid Family & Medical Leave Maximum
Benefit Duration

Family Leave icon

Family Leave

12  WEEKS*

To bond with a new child, care for a family member, and military exigency

Family Leave icon

Family Leave

26  WEEKS*

To care for a family member who is a covered service member

Family Leave icon

Medical Leave

20  WEEKS*

For employee's own serious health condition


Up to a combined max.

26 WEEKS

Combined total between medical and family leave in a benefit year.

 

*Includes a 7-day unpaid waiting period (in calendar days). The waiting period does not apply to bonding leave if immediately preceded by medical leave. The waiting period does not apply to the extension of leave benefits.

MA Paid Family & Medical Leave Benefits FAQs

How do you calculate the weekly benefit for 2024?

The weekly benefit calculation for 2024 is made up of two factors, capped at the Maximum Weekly Benefit:

80% of the portion of the employee’s average weekly wage that is equal to or less than $898.36 (50% of SAWW);
plus, 50% of the portion of the employee’s average weekly wage that exceeds $898.36 (50% of SAWW);
together, capped at the Maximum Weekly Benefit of $1,149.90.

Is there a waiting period for MA Paid Family & Medical Leave benefits?

No family or medical leave benefits are payable during the first seven calendar days after the date on which job protected leave begins. The waiting period does not apply to:
  1. medical leave during pregnancy or recovery from childbirth if supported by documentation from a healthcare provider that this medical leave is immediately followed by family leave.
  2. extension of leave benefits.
The 7-day waiting period is counted as part of the annual allotment of Paid Family & Medical Leave.

Who is considered a “covered family member” under MA PFML?

  • Spouse or domestic partner
  • Child
  • Parent
  • Parent in-law (or parent of the employee’s domestic partner)
  • Grandchild
  • Grandparent
  • Sibling
  • A person who stood in loco parentis to the employee when the employee was a minor child
  • A child to whom the employee stands in loco parentis

What is considered a “serious health condition” under MA PFML?

A Serious Health Condition is an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that involves:
(a) inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential medical facility; or
(b) continuing treatment by a health care provider; or
(c) a Substance Use Disorder may be a serious health condition (as defined in the MA PFML regulation).

Learn More About MA Paid Family & Medical Leave

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*The ShelterPoint family of companies operates under the “ShelterPoint” name strictly as a marketing name, and no legal significance is expressed or implied. The ShelterPoint family of companies consists of ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company, a NY-domiciled carrier, and its wholly-owned subsidiary ShelterPoint Insurance Company, a FL-domiciled carrier, depending on the state. ShelterPoint is a registered service mark.

Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave is available in MA only and will be underwritten by: ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company (a New York-domiciled carrier): Policy Form# SPL PFMLP 0820 MA.

The information in this material is based on our knowledge of the current MA Paid Family & Medical Leave law and regulations. If the Department of Family & Medical Leave revises the regulations, adopts new policies or if the law itself is amended, we will update this document. This document is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. Employers are encouraged to consult employment law counsel for legal advice.

 

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