For Workers and their Families
Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits will start May 1st, 2026
Pre-applications for leaves starting on or after May 1st will open in April
and links to apply will be added at that time.
WHO QUALIFIES AND WHAT’S COVERED
Starting in May 2026, workers who’ve earned enough in wages for work in Maine can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for life’s most critical moments.
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave covers:
- Medical Leave: For times when a serious health condition keeps you from working.
- Parental Leave: Time to bond with a new child.
- Family Care Leave: Time to care for a loved one with a serious health condition.
- Military Family Leave: Time to prepare for a family member’s deployment.
- Safe Leave: Time to find safety from abuse or violence.
HOW TO APPLY FOR PAID LEAVE
- Talk to your employer at least 30 days before your leave, unless it is an emergency. Start by having a conversation with your employer, then put your leave request in writing.
- Submit an application with Aflac, online or by phone.
- Aflac will send the required forms based on why you need leave.
- Receive approval and partial wage replacement, so you can focus on what matters.
- Return to your job. Your position, or an equivalent one, will be protected if you’ve been employed by your employer for at least 120 consecutive days.
WORKER RESOURCES
- الأسئلة الشائعة لموظفي PFML (Word) (PDF) - Arabic
- PFML Employee FAQ (Word) (PDF) - English
- FAQ des employés de PFML (Word) (PDF) - French
- FAQ Anplwaye PFML yo (Word) (PDF) - Haitian/Creole
- FAQ ya Mosali ya PFML (Word) (PDF) - Lingala
- Perguntas frequentes dos funcionários da PFML (Word) (PDF) - Portuguese
- FAQ ee Shaqaalaha PFML (Word) (PDF) - Somali
- Preguntas frecuentes de los empleados de PFML (Word) (PDF) - Spanish
- Types of Leave: https://youtu.be/thUZ70WrmkY
- How to Apply: https://youtu.be/gaJQ7-Jmhw4
- Manage Your Claim: https://youtu.be/aYd90mHOEdM
- How Your Benefits Work: https://youtu.be/B-NZ6pdyJ6I
General Information
- Estimating your PFML Benefits Tool
- Estimating your PFML premium and benefits chart (PDF)
- 2025 informational flyer for employees (PDF)
Worker-Focused Webinars
- Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition Webinar
- Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine Paid Leave Coalition Webinar
- Date & Time: October 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- YouTube | PowerPoint
PFML Translated Informational Videos for employees
- للموظفين، مع ترجمة باللغة العربية (يوتيوب) - Arabic
- Pour les employés, avec sous-titres français (YouTube) - French
- Pou Anplwaye ki gen Soutit Kreyòl Ayisyen (YouTube) - Haitian/Creole
- Pona Basali, na Sous-titres Lingala (YouTube) - Lingala
- Para Colaboradores, com Legendas em Português (YouTube) - Portuguese
- Loogu talagalay Shaqaalaha, oo leh Qoraal-hoosaadyo Af-Soomaali ah (YouTube) - Somali
- Para Empleados, con Subtítulos en Español (YouTube) - Spanish
Have questions about worker appeals?
Visit the Workers Appeals web page