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On January 1^st the benefits and eligibility criteria for the Massachusetts paid family medical program has expanded. This program may allow eligible workers to take paid leave for the following qualifying reasons:  a worker’s own serious health condition; a child’s birth, adoption or foster care placement; to address a need arising out of a family member’s active duty or impending call to active duty in the armed forces; or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. You can learn more by clicking here by visit the program web site

The following information details the available paid leave benefits for members that are out of work for a COVID-19 related reason. The chart, below, indicates which steps should be completed for the most common scenarios. 

Step 1: Apply for Paid Medical Leave or Paid Family Leave from the State of Massachusetts online.  Find detailed instructions here.

• Max Benefit Amount:
  • $850 per week in 2021
  • $1,084.31 per week beginning January 1, 2022
• There is a one-week waiting period before employees can begin receiving benefits. However, the State often takes a month or longer to process benefit applications.
• For questions about benefits and eligibility, call the State Department of PFMLA at (833) 344-7365
• This benefit is also available to unemployed members, if they worked sufficient hours prior to their separation from employment.
• Some employers provide this leave through a private insurance policy, instead of the state program. The benefits are the same, but the member must contact the employers’ human resources department directly to obtain this information.

Step 2: If available, use any accrued paid sick leave while waiting for PFMLA benefits to begin.  For employees who earn more than $850 per week, this will be a higher weekly benefit than Emergency Paid Sick Leave.  

• Benefit Amount: 100% of Normal Weekly Wages, for one week of leave
• Benefit Availability
  • Employers with 10 or fewer employees are not required to provide paid leave. Employers with 11 or more employees must provide accrued leave.
  • However, note that some employees may not have accrued sufficient sick leave yet, or they may have previously used their sick leave for the year.
• To receive this benefit, employees should contact their employer directly and request sick leave as they normally would.
• Click here for more information on employees’ right to sick time.

Step 3: If the employee does not have any accrued sick leave, or if the accrued leave runs out before PFMLA benefits begin, apply for Emergency Paid Sick Leave.  

• Benefit Amount: Normal Weekly Wages, up to $850 per week, for one week
• This benefit is mandatory for all employers, until the program’s funding expires
• To receive this benefit, employees should complete this form and submit it to their employers.
  • Make sure to keep a copy for the employee’s records
• Employers can generally receive reimbursement from the State for providing this benefit. See the State’s website for more information.