Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave is a benefit for Washington workers. It’s here for you when a serious health condition prevents you from working or when you need time to care for a family member, bond with a new child or spend time with a family member preparing for military service overseas. 

Qualifying Leave Reasons

Medical Leave

Employee’s own serious health condition

Family Leave

  • Bond with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster care placement)
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition
  • Military exigency arising from a family member’s foreign active duty military service or call to active duty
  • Limited bereavement leave following the loss of a child

Benefit Waiting Period

7 Days

  • Starts on the Sunday prior to the employee’s first day of qualifying leave
  • Only one waiting period per claim year
  • No waiting period for:
    • Medical leave taken for the birth of a child
    • Family leave for bonding
    • Military exigencies
    • Bereavement leave for the loss of a child within 1 year of birth or placement

Benefit Amount

90% of employees average wages up to 50% of the statewide average weekly wage; plus 50% of an employee’s average wages in excess of 50% of the statewide average weekly wage

Maximum Weekly Benefit

$1,647 (effective 1/1/2026)

Maximum Leave Duration

12 weeks

Up to an additional 2 weeks is available for a serious health condition related to pregnancy that results in incapacity

No more than 16 weeks in a benefit year for all leaves combined

Contributions

  • Total Rate: 1.13% of employee taxable wage base (effective 1/1/2026)
  • Employee: 71.43% of total cost (45% of medical leave premium & 100% of family leave premium)
  • Employer: 28.57% of total cost (55% of medical leave premium & 0% of family leave premium)
  • Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to contribute the employer’s portion
Still have questions? Visit the official state resource for more details.

This information is current has of January 1, 2026 and is subject to change.  Information is reviewed and updated periodically when individual states issue updates. The information is for general informational purposes only and does not purport to be complete or to cover every situation. Please note this information does not constitute legal advice. You must consult with your own legal advisors to determine how these laws will affect you.

Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY), Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company, and Equitable Distributors, LLC.  Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI and TN).

All group insurance products are issued either by Equitable Financial or Equitable America, which have sole responsibility for their respective insurance and are backed solely by their claims-paying obligations. Some products are not available in all states.

GE-8474912.1 (10/2025) (Exp. 10/2029)