District of Columbia Paid Family Leave: Up to 12 Weeks

Under the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act, the DC Department of Employment Services, Office of Paid Family Leave, administers a payroll-tax-funded benefit for people who work in the District. For claims filed on or after October 1, 2022, a worker can draw up to 12 workweeks of parental leave, 12 workweeks of family leave, 12 workweeks of medical leave, and 2 workweeks of pre-natal leave in a 52-workweek period. Weekly benefits equal 90% of the individual's average weekly wage for lower earners, with a blended rate above 150% of the DC minimum wage times 40. Employers fund the program through a quarterly payroll contribution; there is no employee payroll deduction.

Covered employers that fail to pay the required Universal Paid Leave Fund contributions or that interfere with a worker's leave face back contributions, interest, penalties, and enforcement by the DC Department of Employment Services.