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Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave provides paid, job-protected time off to eligible workers for family caregiving, bonding with a new child, addressing needs related to a family member's military service, or managing their own serious health condition. Funded through employer and employee payroll contributions.

Up to 12 weeks of paid family leave per benefit year (for caregiving or bonding), up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave (for own serious health condition), and up to 26 weeks combined in a single benefit year. Benefit amount is approximately 80% of wages up to a threshold, then 50% above, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,230.39 in 2026 (based on state average weekly wage of $1,922.48). Includes job protection — employers must restore the employee to the same or equivalent position.

Eligibility

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

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 Massachusetts? — Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
  • Does your relationship to the person — spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or other relative — 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 paid family leave per benefit year (for caregiving or bonding), up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave (for own serious health condition), and up to 26 weeks combined in a single benefit year. Benefit amount is approximately 80% of wages up to a threshold, then 50% above, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,230.39 in 2026 (based on state average weekly wage of $1,922.48). Includes job protection — employers must restore the employee to the same or equivalent position.

How to apply

  • Notify your employer 30 days in advance if possible, then complete an application online at paidleave.mass.gov or over the phone at (833) 344-7365, and provide proof of your identity.

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

  • fmla (companion): MA PFML can run concurrently with FMLA leave