D.C. Paid Family Leave Benefits

Overview for Health Care Providers

D.C. Paid Family Leave Benefits provides financial benefits (max 90% of wages or $1118/week) when workers miss work for family or health reasons.

D.C. Paid Family Leave Benefits (DC PFL) does not provide job protection.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), or the Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PPWFA) do provide job-protected leave. These can be used in combination with D.C. Paid Family Leave Benefits to give patients both job-protection and income replacement while on leave

As of October 1, 2023, the maximum weekly benefit amount for DC PFL is $1118. Click here to calculate weekly benefits by income.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Currently working in D.C. for a non-government employer (contractors are considered non-government employees)

• Experiencing a qualifying family or health event

12 weeks

Bonding with a new child by

• childbirth

• adoption

• foster care

12 weeks

Caregiving for a family member with a serious health condition

12 weeks

Medical Need: Receiving treatment for and/or recovering from an illness or injury

2 weeks

Prenatal Care: Prenatal appointments and procedures; receiving treatment for or experiencing pregnancy complications.

Maximum benefit amount is 12 weeks in a 52-week period; however, prenatal benefits and parental benefits can be combined for a maximum of 14 weeks in a 52-week period. Benefits are available by the day or week. Workers apply for past dates if the leave occurred within 30 days prior to the submission of the application; under extremely limited circumstances they may apply to receive benefits for leave taken more than 30 days prior to application. If patients are already scheduled for their treatments or prenatal appointments ahead of time, they can submit their application for them all at the same time ahead of time. There is a section on the Medical Provider Certification Form where you will list their future and past appointments. Patients will then need to submit a certification that they attended these appointments. Patients do not need to submit a new DC Paid Family Medical Leave application for each appointment.

Patients cannot receive benefits for routine physical, eye, or dental exams without underlying diagnosis.

Bonding leave does not require medical certification forms but does require some documentation to certify the birth or placement. Providers may be required to verify that the birth occurred.

Medical Certification Form requires provider signature. Patients cannot receive benefits until their application is complete. Please complete the Medical Certification Form as soon as possible to maximize benefits for your patients.