Minnesota

Navigating paid family leave in Minnesota
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PFL in Minnesota

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Birthing parents

Start here if you're giving birth.

If you're giving birth, you may need to file for the one or all of these programs.

Short-term disability insurance (STD): if you have an employer policy (ask HR or refer to your employee handbook)
Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML): both birthing and non-birthing partners can file for PFL benefits.
PFML is a wage replacement programs and does not guarantee leave. For questions about leave eligibility, contact your employer.

Minnesota Paid Family + Medical Leave (PFML)

Click Here to Apply
Tips for Applying
Paid Leave will be available starting January 1, 2026.

If your leave is expected to begin after 1/1/2026, you can file your claim up to 60 days before your leave is expected to begin. Learn more about how Minnesota’s Paid Leave works here or download a resource toolkit!

Before applying for Minnesota Paid Family Leave benefits, you’ll need to notify your employer and confirm that your leave is approved. Be sure to check whether your employer requires advance notice.

If your leave is not planned in advance, you can still apply for leave as soon as you know you need it. If you are applying after your needed leave has already begun, your application can be backdated.

After notifying your employer and confirming your leave has been approved, you will be able to get started with applying for benefits.

You will need to share:
‍
  • Information about yourself and your job
  • The reason and the type of leave you are applying for
  • The expected length of leave
  • Certification from a healthcare or service provider or other supporting documentation about the reason for your leave.
    ‍
Stay up to date on Minnesota’s Paid Leave information at the state website.
Who should apply?
Birthing or non-birthing parents to bond with a new baby or child in your family.Employees who have been employed for at least one year and at least 1,250 hours with a single employer. As well as work primarily (at least 60%) in Minnesota state.
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How much time is available?
In one benefit year, eligible individuals can take up to 12 weeks of medical leave and 12 weeks of family leave. If someone qualifies for both medical and family leave, they can take up to a combined maximum of 20 weeks leave in one benefit year.
‍
How much of my pay will Paid Leave cover?
55-90% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,372 per week.  To learn more about calculating your Paid Leave weekly benefit amounts, click here.
‍
When am I eligible for Paid Leave?
Paid Leave benefits will be available starting January 1, 2026. You are likely eligible if you work at least 50% of the time from a location in Minnesota.  

If you are the birthing parent and plan to file for Medical Leave and Bonding Leave, you will submit one application for both benefits.
When will benefits begin?
There is no waiting period for Paid Leave payments. Minnesota Paid Leave is designed to pay you from the start of your leave. Once your leave is approved, you will be paid each week you are on leave.
‍
What to Expect
If you welcome a child in 2025, you may be eligible for Bonding Leave, as long as the leave is completed within 12 months of the child's birth, adoption, or foster placement. If you need a different kind of leave, or leave on a different schedule, you can apply starting January 1, 2026, when Paid Leave begins. If you plan to take both Bonding Leave and Medical Leave, for your own care related to pregnancy or birth, wait until January to apply. 

You may file for Paid Leave up to 60 days before the start of your claim. Applications sent in earlier than 60 days before your leave start date will be denied. You can start and save your application and return to submit it when it is time to apply.

After January 1, you can apply before your child arrives. After your child’s birth or placement, return to your application to upload your documentation and update your leave dates. If you are not able to apply before your leave begins, you should apply as soon as you can after your leave starts.
‍
Getting ready to apply? Review eligibility, documentation required and review next steps.
‍
Job Protection: If you've worked for your employer for at least 90 days, you may be eligible for job protection.
‍
Stay up to date on Minnesota’s Paid Leave information at the state website.
Example Payroll for Birthing Parent
Birthing parent eligible for STD, PFL and paid parental leave.Numbers, figures, and projections are estimates only and may not be applicable to you.‍

Consult with your employer or your state's labor office for more information.
Non-birthing parents

Start here if you're the dad, spouse, adoptive, or foster parent.

If you are not the birthing parent, you only have to apply for Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).

PFML is a wage replacement programs and does not guarantee leave. For questions about leave eligibility, contact your employer.

Minnesota Paid Family + Medical Leave (PFML)

Click Here to Apply
Tips for Applying
Paid Leave will be available starting January 1, 2026.

If your leave is expected to begin after 1/1/2026, you can file your claim up to 60 days before your leave is expected to begin. Learn more about how Minnesota’s Paid Leave works here or download a resource toolkit!

Before applying for Minnesota Paid Family Leave benefits, you’ll need to notify your employer and confirm that your leave is approved. Be sure to check whether your employer requires advance notice.

If your leave is not planned in advance, you can still apply for leave as soon as you know you need it. If you are applying after your needed leave has already begun, your application can be backdated.

After notifying your employer and confirming your leave has been approved, you will be able to get started with applying for benefits.

You will need to share:
‍
  • Information about yourself and your job
  • The reason and the type of leave you are applying for
  • The expected length of leave
  • Certification from a healthcare or service provider or other supporting documentation about the reason for your leave.
    ‍
Stay up to date on Minnesota’s Paid Leave information at the state website.
Who should apply?
Birthing or non-birthing parents to bond with a new baby or child in your family.
How much time is available?
In one benefit year, eligible individuals can take up to 12 weeks of medical leave and 12 weeks of family leave. If someone qualifies for both medical and family leave, they can take up to a combined maximum of 20 weeks leave in one benefit year.
How much of my pay will Paid Leave cover?
55-90% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,372 per week.  To learn more about calculating your Paid Leave weekly benefit amounts, click here.
‍
When am I eligible for Paid Leave?
Paid Leave benefits will be available starting January 1, 2026. You are likely eligible if you work at least 50% of the time from a location in Minnesota.  

If you are the birthing parent and plan to file for Medical Leave and Bonding Leave, you will submit one application for both benefits.
When will benefits begin?
There is no waiting period for Paid Leave payments. Minnesota Paid Leave is designed to pay you from the start of your leave. Once your leave is approved, you will be paid each week you are on leave.
‍
What to Expect
If you welcome a child in 2025, you may be eligible for Bonding Leave, as long as the leave is completed within 12 months of the child's birth, adoption, or foster placement. If you need a different kind of leave, or leave on a different schedule, you can apply starting January 1, 2026, when Paid Leave begins. If you plan to take both Bonding Leave and Medical Leave, for your own care related to pregnancy or birth, wait until January to apply. 

You may file for Paid Leave up to 60 days before the start of your claim. Applications sent in earlier than 60 days before your leave start date will be denied. You can start and save your application and return to submit it when it is time to apply.

After January 1, you can apply before your child arrives. After your child’s birth or placement, return to your application to upload your documentation and update your leave dates. If you are not able to apply before your leave begins, you should apply as soon as you can after your leave starts.
‍
Getting ready to apply? Review eligibility, documentation required and review next steps.
‍
Job Protection: If you've worked for your employer for at least 90 days, you may be eligible for job protection.
‍
Stay up to date on Minnesota’s Paid Leave information at the state website.
Example Payroll for Non-Birthing Parent
Non-Birthing parent eligible for PFL and paid parental leave.Numbers, figures, and projections are estimates only and may not be applicable to you.

Consult with your employer or your state's labor office for more information.