Augusta, ME — Paid family and medical leave benefits for eligible employees in Maine will begin May 1.
According to the state’s Department of Labor, eligible workers in the private and public sectors will have 12 weeks of paid time off available to them for family or medical reasons, including illness, caring for a relative or for the birth of a child.
Employers can provide workers with more information by sharing the Paid Family Medical Leave Employee Written Notice document. There’s also a separate form for employers with an approved private plan substitution.
For employers in the public plan, the claims administrator will handle several duties, including:
- Determining whether employees are eligible for PFML and have time to use.
- Reviewing documentation and confirming if employees are out of work for a covered reason.
- Calculating wage replacement benefits to pay out, when leave can be approved.
- Sending communications about claims processes and decisions.
The MDOL For Workers and their Families webpage features step-by-step guidance on how to apply for paid leave, along with a series of FAQs, worker-focused explainer videos, worker guidance and resources, and more.
