Connecticut
Connecticut Paid Family & Medical Leave (CT PFML)
Connecticut Paid Family & Medical Leave (CT PFML)
The Connecticut Paid Family & Medical Leave Act (CT PFML) was enacted in June 2019 which gives the state authority to build a paid family and medical leave insurance program. On January 1, 2021, employee payroll contributions began and on January 1, 2022, benefits became payable. CT PFML will provide wage replacement benefits to eligible workers in the state of Connecticut who need time off from work for their own serious health condition, or medical leave (ML), and for Paid Family Leave (PFL). Workers may be eligible for ML if they are unable to work due to a non-work-related injury or illness, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Workers may be eligible for PFL to care for a seriously ill family member, to bond with a new child, serve as an organ or bone marrow donor, address a qualifying military exigency, or to address matters related to being a victim of family violence.
Coverage Options: Employers can participate in the state-run program or they can self-insure or fully insure a private plan. MetLife provides fully insured and self-insured coverage options.
Job Protection: The paid CT PFML coverage is not job-protected. Under federal and state family and medical leave laws, an eligible employee has a right to job-protected leave and the employer can decide by policy whether to pay the employee during that leave. When applicable, a worker should request leave under the state (CT FMLA) and federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Benefits: 12 weeks (extra 2 weeks for incapacitation during pregnancy) and/or 12 days if the leave is due to domestic violence. The maximum weekly benefit is $780 and beginning July 1, 2022 it will be $840.
Contributions: Employee contribution (payroll deduction) is 0.5% of the wage base of $147,000. The maximum employee contribution is $735.00.
Key Dates:
- January 1, 2022: Benefits started.
- July 1, 2022: Minimum wage increases to $14/hour which increases maximum weekly benefit to $840/week.
Employer compliance tips:
- If you have a private plan and did not upload your CT PFML Policy in your account on the CT website. The state requires that you upload the CT PFML Policy in your account on the website https://ctpaidleave.org.
- The Connecticut Paid Leave Program requires annual reporting of all private plans by May 1st of each year.
As of April 25, 2022