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Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Maine's Paid Family and Medical 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, recover from their own serious health condition, address domestic violence/abuse (safe leave), or handle military exigency. Maine was the 13th state to enact PFML. Contributions began January 1, 2025; applications opened March 30, 2026; benefits are LIVE as of May 1, 2026. Uses a sliding-scale formula: up to 90% of wages, capped at the state average weekly wage; the current Maine estimator caps weekly benefits at $1,250. Covers all employers regardless of size. Claims are submitted through the Aflac worker portal.

BENEFITS LIVE since May 1, 2026. Up to 12 weeks of wage replacement for family caregiving, parental bonding, own medical leave, safe leave (domestic violence/abuse), or military exigency. Eligibility requires enough Maine wages in the base period: at least six times the state average weekly wage in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before leave begins. Sliding-scale formula: up to 90% of wages, capped at 100% of state average weekly wage (SAWW); the current Maine estimator caps weekly benefits at $1,250. Covered family members include spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild. Funded by 1% payroll tax for employers with 15+ employees (may deduct up to 50% from employee wages); 0.5% for employers with fewer than 15 employees (may deduct 100% from employee wages). Job protection provided after 120 days of employment. Intermittent leave available in 1-hour increments. Self-employed individuals and tribal governments may elect coverage. Private plan substitution available. Claims are submitted through the Aflac worker portal.

Eligibility

  • Care recipient must have a qualifying disability
  • Relationship: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, other relative, non 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 Maine? — Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
  • Does your relationship to the person — spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, other relative, or non 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

BENEFITS LIVE since May 1, 2026. Up to 12 weeks of wage replacement for family caregiving, parental bonding, own medical leave, safe leave (domestic violence/abuse), or military exigency. Eligibility requires enough Maine wages in the base period: at least six times the state average weekly wage in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before leave begins. Sliding-scale formula: up to 90% of wages, capped at 100% of state average weekly wage (SAWW); the current Maine estimator caps weekly benefits at $1,250. Covered family members include spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild. Funded by 1% payroll tax for employers with 15+ employees (may deduct up to 50% from employee wages); 0.5% for employers with fewer than 15 employees (may deduct 100% from employee wages). Job protection provided after 120 days of employment. Intermittent leave available in 1-hour increments. Self-employed individuals and tribal governments may elect coverage. Private plan substitution available. Claims are submitted through the Aflac worker portal.

How to apply

    1. Talk to your employer at least 30 days before your leave (unless emergency), then put the request in writing. 2. Submit an application with Aflac, online or by phone. 3. Aflac sends the required forms based on leave reason. 4. Receive approval and partial wage replacement. 5. Return to your job. Apply as early as 60 days before leave starts and no later than 90 days after.

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

  • fmla (companion): FMLA provides federal job protection for eligible employees; ME PFML provides state-level wage replacement and job protection after 120 days