WA PFML (Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave) 2026
Last updated: · Source: Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
90% wage replacement · up to 12 weeks · effective 2020-01-01
Program Details
90% of wages for earners at or below half the state average weekly wage; a lower blended rate above that, up to the weekly cap.
Job protection requires 25+ employees (reduced from 50 in 2026; scheduled to drop to 15 in 2027 and 8 in 2028). The wage-replacement benefit itself has no employer-size threshold — workers at any employer size can claim it.
| Weeks available | 12 |
| Wage replacement | 90% (tiered) |
| Max weekly benefit | $1,647 |
| Effective since | 2020-01-01 |
| Covers bonding with a new child | Yes |
| Covers caring for a family member | Yes |
| Covers military family leave | Yes |
Estimate Your Washington Benefit
Estimated Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave benefit
$900.00
per week
$10,800.00
over 12 weeks
90% of wages for earners at or below half the state average weekly wage; a lower blended rate above that, up to the weekly cap. Confirm your exact benefit with Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave's official calculator before making decisions.
Paid Family Leave benefits typically run concurrently with any federal FMLA leave that also qualifies — PFL pays you, FMLA protects your job. Check your FMLA eligibility →
How This Works With FMLA
Federal FMLA protects your job during qualifying leave but pays nothing. Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave is a separate state benefit that pays part of your wages during that same period. When a leave qualifies under both, they typically run concurrently — FMLA protects your position while WA PFML replaces part of your paycheck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington's Employment Security Department (ESD) — the same agency that runs unemployment insurance — administers Paid Family and Medical Leave. Apply and manage your claim at paidleave.wa.gov, ESD's dedicated PFML portal.
Up to 90% of your wages, with a maximum of $1,647 per week, for up to 12 weeks. Lower-income workers receive a higher percentage of their wages replaced.
Apply on or after your leave actually begins — ESD generally denies applications submitted before the qualifying event (like a due date or medical procedure) has happened. Give your employer at least 30 days' notice when your leave is foreseeable.