Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paid Family & Medical Leave?
Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program provides up to 12 weeks paid time off when you:
- Have a serious health condition that prevents you from working
- Need to care for a family member with a serious health condition
- Have certain events connected to a family member’s active-duty military service
- Welcome a new child into your family
You may be eligible for a combination of medical and family leave up to 16 weeks if you have a personal medical event and family caregiving event.
Are rideshare drivers covered?
Yes! Rideshare drivers are covered under a new first-in-the-nation pilot program, with support from Drivers Union.
Is there any cost to participate?
There is no cost for rideshare drivers to participate.
- Drivers Union provides quarterly reporting support for rideshare drivers working in Washington state—at no cost.
- Rideshare companies, like Uber & Lyft, pay 100% of premium costs for Transportation Network Company (TNC) work.
How is Paid Leave different from health insurance?
Paid Leave is completely separate from your health insurance. While health insurance covers your medical costs, Paid Leave provides you with income while you're unable to work for an extended period of time for a medical or family related reason.
I just signed-up. When am I eligible for benefits?
You are eligible for benefits after working 820 covered hours in your qualifying period. You begin logging covered hours in the quarter after you enroll.
For example: if you enroll in July 2024, you begin logging covered hours in October 2024. Your Q4 2024 hours will be reported in January 2025. With enough covered hours reported, you could be eligible for benefits as soon as February 2025.
How does the program count covered hours?
Washington’s PFML program estimates covered hours for self-employed program participants by dividing reported earnings by the minimum wage. In 2024, a self-employed participant gains eligibility after reporting $13,349.60 in covered earnings during their qualifying period (820 hrs X $16.28 min wage).
If my family has a new baby, how does Paid Leave work?
All parents can receive up to 12 weeks of bonding leave in the first year after your child’s birth, placement or adoption. If you gave or are giving birth, you can take up to 16 weeks of combined medical and family leave. If you experience incapacity or another serious health condition related to your pregnancy or birth (like a C-section), you may also qualify for an additional two weeks of medical leave for a total of 18 weeks.
How are benefits calculated?
When you take Paid Leave, you can receive up to 90% of your weekly pay. Benefits are calculated as a percentage of your average weekly pay during your two highest paid quarters in your qualifying period. In 2024, the maximum weekly benefit amount is $1,456/week. You can estimate your weekly benefit here.
Can I use Paid Leave while I am out of the country?
Yes. You earn eligibility for Paid Leave based on your work in Washington state, but there are no restrictions on where you can use your Paid Leave.
I have other covered work in addition to rideshare. Does that count?
Yes! When you sign-up, your rideshare earnings add on to any other covered employment that is part of the Paid Family & Medical Leave program, which can increase your benefits. All covered work combined counts towards your eligibility and benefits.
I am a taxi or limo driver. Can I enroll in Paid Leave for non-rideshare self-employment?
Yes, however, in order to include non-rideshare self-employment in your elective coverage under Paid Leave, you will need to enroll directly with Washington’s Employment Security Department, file quarterly reports, and pay quarterly premiums for your self-employment work. You can learn more here: https://paidleave.wa.gov/elective-coverage/
Where can I find more information?
Learn more at paidleave.wa.gov
Could I lose benefits if I wait to enroll?
Yes, you could. You are only eligible for benefits after enrolling and working 820 hours in your qualifying period. If you wait to enroll, it could be too late to qualify when you need to use the program.