THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE HAS RELEASED RESOURCES FOR PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
Most current W-2 employees in the Commonwealth—with limited exemptions—are eligible so long as they meet the financial eligibility requirements set under the unemployment insurance program.
Also eligible are:
• Self-employed individuals who have chosen to opt-in to the state program. • Contractors who receive a 1099-MISC tax form and whose employer has a workforce that has over 50% of individuals receiving a 1099-MISC form. • Former employees who have been unemployed for less than 27 weeks. • Employees of a municipal district, political subdivision, housing authority, regional school district, or regional planning commission, which has chosen to opt-in to the paid family leave program.
The maximum length of Leave is variable dependent on the following circumstances:
• 12 weeks to bond with a child during the first 12 months after the child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement. • 12 weeks to manage any needs that take place immediately after a family member is deployed to a foreign country or is notified of an impending deployment in a foreign country. • 20 weeks to manage your own serious health condition. • 26 weeks of family leave to care for a family member who is a current member of the Armed Forces due to an injury or illness that occurred as a result of their service.
As of July 1st, 2021, these benefits will expand to include:
• 12 weeks to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Benefits are based on the worker’s average weekly wage over their two highest-earning quarters during the previous year. To calculate weekly benefits, the State uses the following formula. •80% of the first $715.83 of a worker’s average weekly wage, plus •50% of any amount of their average weekly wage over $715.83, up to the state benefit cap
Weekly benefits are currently capped at $850 per week.
For instructions on how to apply, visit: https://www.mass.gov/.../how-to-apply-for-paid-family-and...
For Basic Eligibility Requirements, visit: https://www.mass.gov/.../your-eligibility-for-paid-family...
For a Financial Eligibility and Expected Benefit Calculator, visit: https://calculator.digital.mass.gov/pfml/yourbenefits/
To opt-in for self-employed individuals, visit: https://www.mass.gov/.../opt-in-and-contribute-to-paid...
To reach the Department of Family and Medical Leave, call (833) 344-7365.
To reach the Department of Revenue (for questions about contributions and exemptions, call (617) 466-3950.
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