Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program is a valuable resource for employees who need time off to care for a new child, support a loved one, or recover from a serious health condition. This program offers paid leave for qualifying events and provides peace of mind during some of life’s most important moments. Whether you're a birthing or non-birthing parent, this guide will help you navigate the program and understand its benefits.
Both birthing and non-birthing parents are encouraged to apply for PFML. Birthing parents can access benefits for pregnancy-related medical leave, which typically begins before the baby’s birth and continues through the recovery period, usually six to eight weeks postpartum. Once medical leave ends, birthing parents can transition to family leave to bond with their child.
Non-birthing parents can also apply to take family leave to bond with their child after birth, adoption, or foster placement. Additionally, anyone needing time off to recover from a personal serious health condition or care for a family member should consider applying. Get started filing your PFML claim online by creating a SecureAccess Washington Account first.
The amount of leave available depends on your circumstances. Birthing parents can take up to 18 weeks of combined medical and family leave. If a pregnancy involves complications, additional leave may be available. Non-birthing parents are eligible for up to 12 weeks of family leave to bond with their new child. While Washington's PFML may include job protection, whether you qualify for this protection depends on your employer’s policies.
If your leave begins before your child’s birth, there is a seven-day waiting period before benefits are paid. If you are the birthing parent, you may be eligible for benefits during the postnatal period (i.e., 6 weeks following birth). Your healthcare provider will need to complete the Certification of Serious Health Condition form.
However, if your leave starts after the child’s birth, benefits begin immediately. If you are taking leave to bond with a new child and/or you recovered from pregnancy disability, you can file for Family leave. If you are a non-birthing parent, you will be asked to provide documentation to support your claim: Certification of Birth.
Washington PFML covers up to 90% of your average weekly pay, subject to a maximum weekly benefit amount that is adjusted annually. For example, this maximum rate is $1,177.32 for 2025. The exact amount you will receive depends on your income level and the program’s current guidelines.
To qualify for Washington PFML, you must have worked at least 820 hours in the state during the past year. The hours do not need to be with a single employer or completed consecutively. Once you meet this requirement, you can file a claim with the Washington State Employment Security Department to start the process.
Here are some helpful tips to streamline your application process:
Washington’s PFML program is designed to help you focus on what matters most—whether it’s family, health, or recovery. Understanding the program’s benefits and requirements will ensure you can make the most of this resource when you need it most. For more support, Parento offers additional resources to help you navigate paid parental leave and optimize your parental leave benefits. Whether you're an employer or a parent, paid leave can provide valuable financial support during one of life’s most significant transitions. For more details, check out our PFL Guide or chat with our team to discover how Parento can help you manage and streamline your parental leave program.
