AMERICANS in one US state will soon be able to take home as much as $1,423 a week thanks to a new paid family and medical leave law.
From January 1, hundreds of thousands of workers in Minnesota will be able to benefit from the program.
The Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL) is set to begin on January 1, 2026[/caption]
The program operates similarly to Minnesota’s unemployment insurance system.
Paid leave is funded through a 0.88 per cent payroll tax, split evenly between employers and employees.
With these funds, workers can apply for paid time off in specific situations.
Workers will get partial wage replacement while on leave – with the amount based on their typical weekly salary.
Those with lower salaries or hourly wages stand to gain the most – receiving up to 90 per cent of their regular weekly pay.
Employees taking paid leave are also guaranteed their job back upon return – provided they have been in their position for at least 90 days.
To get the ball rolling, lawmakers allocated nearly $668 million in 2023 to fund the program, along with $122 million for its creation and administration.
Workers can estimate their pay replacement using a calculator provided by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
The most a worker could get is about $1,423 a week – the state’s average weekly wage.
Generally, employees can take 12 weeks of family leave in a calendar year and 12 weeks of medical leave for themselves or a close relative.
In total, no more than 20 weeks of combined leave can be taken in a year.
Leave can be taken all at once or spread out.
Minnesotans can choose to receive payments via direct deposit or prepaid debit card, indicating their preference during the application process.
To apply, workers should first notify their employer, then submit an application through the Department of Employment and Economic Development, providing medical paperwork to support their leave.
An online application portal is set to launch before 2026.
Workers can also submit an application via the portal in advance.
Do I qualify for paid leave?
ALL Minnesotan workers qualify, except self-employed individuals, independent contractors and members of tribal nations – though they can opt into the program.
To qualify, you must:
- Work at least 50 per cent of the time in Minnesota
- Have earned at least $3,700 in the past year
Eligible circumstances for paid leave:
Medical leave: Time off may be needed to recover from an illness, injury condition, disorder or impairment, including surgery or pregnancy complications.
Family leave: Time off may be needed to care for a newborn, a loved one with a health condition or a family member called to active duty in the army. Parents of babies born in 2025 are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid family leave within the first year of the child’s birth or adoption. Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault are also eligible.
Note: The state program only applies to workers whose employers do not offer leave programs that match or exceed state benefits. Employers can choose to maintain existing leave programs if they meet or exceed state standards.
A 0.88 per cent payroll tax will go towards Minnesota’s new paid leave program[/caption]
