Paid Leave
Overview
How does Paid Leave work?
Paid Leave offers payments and job protections for some of life's most important moments. Eligibility for payments depends on how much you earned in the past year.
To receive payments, you must apply and be approved for leave. To be approved, you must experience an event that qualifies for Paid Leave and have your need for leave certified by a professional.
Am I covered?
Most Minnesota workers are covered
Paid Leave coverage is very broad. Paid Leave covers nearly all Minnesota workers – including full time, part time, temporary, and most seasonal workers. It covers nearly every employer, regardless of business industry or size.
There are a few exceptions.
- Independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and Tribal Nations are not covered by the program, but they can opt in.
- Federal government employees, postal workers, and railroad employees are not covered for their work at those jobs, and cannot opt in.
- Those working in positions that have been designated as seasonal hospitality employment are excluded from Paid Leave for that position. Your employer will notify you if you're designated.
Can I take Paid Leave?
Answer a few questions to find out if you may be able to receive Paid Leave payments.
What kinds of leave are covered?
You can take Paid Leave to care for yourself or others
You can take Paid Leave to care for your own serious health condition, or to care for someone else. You may be able to take Paid Leave if you have a qualifying event that lasts at least seven days. These days do not need to be in a row. For example, if you experience chronic migranes or need to attend regular medical appointments that total at least seven days, you could get payments for the days or hours you were out on leave.
Qualifying events for Paid Leave include:
Medical Leave
- To care for your own serious health condition.
- This can include pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, a chronic condition, injury, or other health needs your provider certifies.
Family Leave
- To bond with a child through birth, adoption, or foster placement
- To care for a family member with a serious health condition
- To support a military family member called to active duty
- To respond to certain personal safety issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, for you or a family member.
- How much will I be paid?
- Paid Leave offers part of your usual pay
- Paid Leave pays part of your normal pay. Most people will receive between 55% and 90% of their regular wages while on leave, with a maximum amount set at the state's average wage. Right now, this is $1,423 per week.
Calculate your payments
Here's a quick, simple way to estimate the weekly payments you could receive while on leave.
To receive payments, you must have earned at least $3,900 in the last year. This amount can come from one job or be combined from multiple jobs. Payments come from the state, not your employer.
How much time can I take?
You can take up to 12 weeks for one leave
In a single benefit year, you can take:
Family Leave
Up to 12 weeks.
Medical Leave
Up to 12 weeks.
If you need both types of leave in the same benefit year, you can take up to 20 weeks. Your benefit year starts the first day you take leave.
Leave can be taken continuously, in one block of time, or intermittently, in smaller blocks of time. Intermittent leave can be taken when you need it, such as for chronic migraines, or on a set schedule, like taking someone to a monthly appointment (which is sometimes called a "reduced schedule" or "reduced leave").
Is my job protected?
Paid Leave offers protections for workers that make it possible to be there for the moments that matter.
Job protections
Generally, you must be restored to your job or an equivalent position when you return from leave. Job protections start 90 days after your date of hire.
Health insurance
Generally, your health insurance and other group insurance plans must continue while you are on leave. You and your employer are responsible for the premiums that you normally pay.
No retaliation or interference
Employers must not interfere with or retaliate against you if you apply for or use Paid Leave. Employers cannot take your Paid Leave payments. These protections apply no matter how long you have been at your job.
Other programs
You may qualify for other job protections under programs like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Minnesota's Pregnancy and Parental Leave Act (PPL), or Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST).
Report a concern
If you are concerned that an employer is not following the Paid Leave law, you can report it to us.
How is Paid Leave funded?
Paid Leave is paid for by employers and employees
Like many insurance plans, Paid Leave is funded by premiums paid by employers and employees.
When Paid Leave begins for Minnesotans in 2026, the premium rate will be 0.88 percent. The premium rate is a percentage of an employee's wages that will be collected by the state from employers. Employers can collect up to 0.44 percent from employees, or they can choose to cover more.
Use the calculator in the above link to estimate costs for Minnesota employers and individuals under Paid Leave.
Estimate premiums