Applications Being Accepted For State's New Paid Family Leave Program

Applications are now being accepted for Connecticut residents who want to take part in the state's new paid family and medical leave program.

Gov. Ned Lamont made the announcement Wednesday.

The new program, which takes effect in January, will offer eligible workers up to 12 weeks of income replacement for qualifying events, such as caring for their own health, a newborn child, or taking care of a sick family member.

“This is a milestone in Connecticut as we begin to accept benefit applications for one of the strongest paid family and medical leave programs in the nation,” Gov. Lamont said. “Supporting the workers of our state will strengthen our economic footing and make Connecticut a stronger place to live, work, and do business."

The program was created by legislation in 2019.

Employers began taking deductions from their employees' paychecks at the beginning of the year to help fund the program.

Qualifying reasons to submit a claim include:

• Medical leave for one’s own serious health condition (which includes pregnancy, as well as serving as a bone marrow or organ donor)
• Caregiver leave to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition
• Bonding leave to bond with a new child that has entered a person’s home through birth, adoption, or foster care
• Family violence leave to address issues arising from family violence
• Qualifying exigency leave to address issues arising from a parent, child, or spouse’s military deployment
• Military caregiver leave to care for a family member injured during active duty in the United States Armed Forces