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District of Columbia Universal Paid Leave (UPL)

DC's Universal Paid Leave program provides up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for workers who need time off to care for a seriously ill family member, bond with a new child, or recover from their own serious health condition. Benefits have been available since July 1, 2020. The program uses a sliding-scale formula: 90% of the first $900/week of wages plus 50% of wages above that threshold, up to a current maximum of $1,190/week. It is fully employer-funded through a 0.75% payroll tax. DC UPL does not provide job protection, unlike most state paid family leave programs.

Up to 12 weeks of wage replacement for family caregiving, 12 weeks for parental bonding, 12 weeks for own medical leave, and 2 weeks for prenatal leave. Sliding-scale formula: 90% of the first ~$900/week of wages plus 50% of wages above that, up to a current maximum of $1,190/week. Covered family members include spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law, child, grandparent, and sibling. Funded entirely by employer payroll tax at 0.75% of wages. DC Paid Family Leave does not provide job protection, though other leave laws may.

Eligibility

  • Care recipient must have a qualifying disability
  • Relationship: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent

Questions to ask the program

These are questions to ask the program, not a verdict on your eligibility. Confirm the current rules directly with the program.

  • Does the person receiving care live in District of Columbia? — Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
  • Does your relationship to the person — spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent — count for this program?
  • What counts as a qualifying disability or level of care need, and what documentation shows it?
  • Is there a caregiver-specific department, coordinator, or support line? Ask for it by name. — Many agencies have one that isn’t advertised on the website.
  • What documents do you need from us to start an application?
  • Is there a waitlist right now, and how long is it?

Services

Up to 12 weeks of wage replacement for family caregiving, 12 weeks for parental bonding, 12 weeks for own medical leave, and 2 weeks for prenatal leave. Sliding-scale formula: 90% of the first ~$900/week of wages plus 50% of wages above that, up to a current maximum of $1,190/week. Covered family members include spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law, child, grandparent, and sibling. Funded entirely by employer payroll tax at 0.75% of wages. DC Paid Family Leave does not provide job protection, though other leave laws may.

How to apply

  • Tell your employer you will be applying for Paid Family Leave benefits, then apply online or over the phone at dcpaidfamilyleave.dc.gov or by calling the contact center at 202-899-3700.

Use the official program page for application details: official program page.

  • fmla (companion): FMLA provides federal job protection for eligible employees; DC UPL provides wage replacement but no job protection