Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave Laws 2026
Last updated: · Source: Washington labor department
Washington · Leave Laws 2026
Federal FMLA
Applies (50+ employees)
State Leave Law
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
State Employer Threshold
25+
Paid Family Leave
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave — up to $1,647/wk
Bereavement Leave
7 days
FMLA in Washington: Federal Leave Protections
Federal FMLA applies to every qualifying employee in Washington the same way it applies nationwide: up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees who've worked 12+ months and at least 1,250 hours for an employer with 50+ employees within 75 miles.
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA PFML)
Washington's Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA PFML) extends job-protected leave to more workers than federal FMLA alone: it applies to employers with as few as 25 employees, versus the federal threshold of 50. Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of leave. 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.
Eligibility test: 180 calendar days employed, with no separate hours-worked requirement (reduced from a 12-month + 1,250-hour test, effective January 1, 2026). The 6-month figure used by this planner approximates 180 days. This is different from federal FMLA's 12-month + 1,250-hour test — don't assume the federal rule applies here.
WA Paid Leave Benefits: How Much You Get Paid
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave pays eligible workers approximately 90% of their wages, up to $1,647/week, for up to 12 weeks . The program has been in effect since 2020-01-01.
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.
| Weeks available | 12 |
| Wage replacement | 90% (tiered) |
| Max weekly benefit | $1,647 |
| Covers bonding with a new child | Yes |
| Covers caring for a family member | Yes |
| Covers military family leave | Yes |
Apply through the official WA PFML site ↗ Estimate your weekly benefit →
Washington Bereavement Leave: What WA Law Requires
Washington requires covered employers (1+ employees) to provide 7 days of bereavement leave under Washington Bereavement Leave (SB 5217), in effect since 2026-07-01. Expanded from 3 to 7 days by SB 5217 (2025); usable within 12 months of the death, for any qualifying family member.
How WA PFML and FMLA Work Together
When a leave qualifies under both federal FMLA and Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave, the two run concurrently — counting against both entitlements at the same time — and the employee gets whichever protection is more generous on each specific point (employer size, weeks, covered relationships).
Frequently Asked Questions
WA PFML pays up to 90% of your wages, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,647, for up to 12 weeks (16 weeks for pregnancy-related medical leave plus bonding). Lower-income workers receive a higher percentage of their wages.
Most Washington workers qualify if they've worked at least 820 hours in the qualifying period. There is no employer-size threshold — even single-employee businesses are covered. Self-employed workers can opt in.