D.C. Paid Family Leave Benefits Will Be Changing

While we were disappointed that the DC Paid Family Leave program was not fully restored from Mayor Bowser’s proposal, we are deeply grateful to the DC Council for working to partially restore the program in a year of deep budget cuts. First Shift pledges to continue advocating for the full restoration of the program—especially for caregiving workers whose families depend on them for their caregiving and their income.

On October 1st 2026, D.C. Paid Family Leave benefits will be changing.

Changes include:

• Weekly benefits reduced from a maximum of $1,190 per week to a maximum of $1,100 per week.

• The number of weeks of benefits per year reduced for family caregiving and personal medical leave.

  • Benefits for family caregiving are being reduced from a maximum of 12 weeks per year to a maximum of 6 weeks per year.

  • Benefits for personal medical are being reduced from a maximum of 12 weeks per year to a maximum of 10 weeks per year.

The number of weeks of benefits per year are staying the same for

• Parental bonding leave (12 weeks per year)

• Prenatal leave (2 weeks per year)