Paid Time Off to Care for Yourself or Your Family
Most employees qualify for PFML. Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) is paid time off to care for yourself or your family.
- Benefit for Massachusetts residents
- Pays you 60%-80% of your usual pay
- Can last 12-26 weeks, depending on the reason for the leave
- Protects your job
PFML Pays Four Kinds of Leave
Up to 20 weeks
Because you have a serious health condition that prevents you from working
Up to 12 weeks
To bond with your child during the first 12 months after the child is born, adopted, or placed in your foster care.
Up to 12 weeks
To care for a family member with a serious health condition
Up to 26 weeks
To manage the affairs of your family member who is on active duty (or soon will be), or care for your family member who was injured while on active duty.
Qualifications and Options
Who Qualifies for Paid Leave?
Most employees qualify. Your immigration status does not matter. You must meet these requirements:
- You pay taxes and receive a W-2 tax form.
- You are an employee working in any Massachusetts business or state agency, or you were an employee of a Massachusetts business or state agency within the last 6 months.
You Can Get a Leave That Fits Your Schedule.
Choose one or mix and match these 3 options:
- Continuous Leave: You are away from work for consecutive days or weeks
- Reduced Schedule Leave: You work a reduced (but consistent) schedule for 2 or more weeks in a row
- Intermittent Leave: Your situation is not predictable or regular. You need time off to fit your schedule.
How to Apply
- Tell your employer that you need to take leave.
- For Medical or Family Leave, a doctor fills out a form:
- Medical Certification
- Family Certification - Apply by phone or online: Call 833-344-7365 or visit paidleave.mass.gov
You must provide:
- Government ID with photo (state, federal, or foreign)
- Dates your leave will start and end (matching any medical or family certification)
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your employer's EIN (listed in Box B on your W-2)
Some employers have private plans. They do not use the state plan. Ask your employer how to apply.
Questions? Contact the Department of Family & Medical Leave:
Call 833.344.7365 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., in 200+ languages), or visit:
Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave
Flyers
Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)
Licencia Familiar y Médica con goce de sueldo (PFML)
Baixa Médicu e Familiar cu Vencimentu (PFML)
Fasaxa Qoyska & Caafimaadka Lacagta La bixiyo (PFML)
Licença Familiar e Médica Remunerada (PFML)
Pifò nan Anplwaye yo kalifye pou Konje Peye pou Fanmi ak pou Rezon Medikal (PFML)