Once you begin leave, you will need to file a claim for
Paid Family Leave. You may file
online, by phone, or in person. To file by phone or for more information on filing in person, call (202) 899-3700. New claims should be submitted as soon as possible after the qualifying event but no later than 30 days following the start of leave. When submitting your claim, you will also need to provide
documentation of a qualifying event with your claim.
If you are the birthing parent and require time off prior to birth, you may be eligible for
Prenatal Leave. To request Prenatal Leave, your healthcare provider must complete a
Prenatal Leave Medical Certification Form. For more information about Paid Family Leave, including filing instructions, please see the
How to Apply for Benefits.
If your employer has a private STD policy, you will also need to file for those benefits. STD benefits are reduced by what you receive from PFL. That means you may or may not receive benefits from STD, depending on how much you receive from PFML. For more information, refer to your employer’s STD policy.
Note:
Prenatal Leave taken before the birth of a child does not count against the 8 weeks of PFL.