October 22, 2019

Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)

According to the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers must provide up to 12 unpaid weeks of job-protected leave for employees with certain family or medical situations. Massachusetts’s has taken this a step forward, and is one of six states, plus Washington, D.C. to offer workers Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefits. These state-offered benefits are separate from the federally mandated unpaid FMLA and from employer-offered leave benefits.

How Does PFML Work?

  • PMFL is a tax no greater than 0.75% of taxable wages
  • For every $100 you earn, a maximum of $0.38 will be deducted. This includes:
    • $0.13 to cover your family leave contribution
    • $0.25 to cover your medical leave contribution
  • Click here to estimate your PFML benefits

What is covered?

Covered individuals include:

  • W-2 workers who work in Massachusetts, (full-time, part-time, or seasonal)
  • Self-employed individuals
  • 1099-MISC workers who work in Massachusetts, do not qualify as independent contractors, and who make up more than 50% of their employer's workforce

It is important to note that certain types of employment are excluded from PFML. Click here for information on types of excluded employment.

Important Dates

  • October 1, 2019: Employers begin payroll withholdings
  • October 1, 2019: Benefits become available. Covered individuals may be entitled to:
    • Up to 20 weeks of paid leave if they have a medical condition that incapacitated them from working
    • Up to 12 weeks of paid family leave related to the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child or due to a family member’s active duty status in the Armed Forces
    • Up to 26 weeks of paid family leave to care for a family member that is a covered service member with a serious health condition
  • July 21, 2021: Covered individuals may be entitled to up to 12 weeks of PFML to care for a family member with a serious health condition

If you are in need of an attorney for a case pertaining to family and medical leave matters or any type of case you can call the Boston Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at 617-742-0625, connect with an area attorney online 24/7 by clicking “Get Started” here, or by submitting an email request online today.