Before you begin your application
Talk to your employer
Work with your employer to schedule your leave. Give your employer at least 30 days' notice if you are applying for paid family or medical leave for a planned event like an elective surgery. If you are taking leave for an unexpected life event, you should tell your employer as soon as possible before starting your application for paid leave.
Prepare your documentation
When you apply for medical and family leave, you will need to provide some documents as part of your application. The documents will vary depending on the type of leave you are taking. Here are some quick tips and a link to details on the required documents you will need for your PFML application.
- Proof of your identity: Submit color copies of the front and back of your identification document and make sure all of the information is clear and easy to read. Do not fax your identification document. If you submit a black and white copy, or the image is not clear, the Department will need to reach out to you to get a clear color copy, resulting in longer processing times.
- Certifying a serious health condition for your family member or yourself:
- For medical leave: You and your health care provider must fill out the Certification of your Serious Health Condition form
- For family leave: You, the employee, and your family member's health care provider must fill out the Certification of your Family Member's Serious Health Condition form
Do not submit doctor’s notes. Discuss your leave with your health care provider or your family member’s health care provider. Fill out the certification form completely. Include how long and how often you expect to take leave. Ask your health care provider to sign the form.
After your leave is approved
Working while receiving PFML benefits
If you work while receiving PFML benefits, benefits could be reduced or stopped altogether, unless you are taking leave on an intermittent or reduced schedule.
If you work outside of the schedule you set up with your employer or during reported intermittent hours, you will not receive benefit payments for that week.
- During your leave, make sure to only work during the agreed-upon schedule or when you are not receiving PFML payments.
- If you are on a continuous leave schedule, you cannot work during any part of your leave.
- If you are on a reduced leave schedule, you can work during the schedule you set up with your employer.
- If you are on an intermittent leave schedule, you cannot receive PFML payments for hours when you are working for your employer.
If you already started your leave
If you already started your leave but have not applied for PFML benefits, you can apply for benefits within ninety (90) calendar days (counting weekends and any holidays) of when you started your leave. For example, if your leave begins on January 1 and ends on February 28, you must complete your application before April 1.