Paid Family & Medical Leave

Paid Family & Medical Leave is a group benefit provided by employers to giver their employees partial pay when they need time away for important life events.

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Why Paid Family & Medical Leave?

Many employees will face a time when they need to step away from work to care for themselves or their families. Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) programs help provide partial wage replacement during important life events, making it easier to take needed leave while maintaining greater financial stability.

Wise PFML plans are designed to align with applicable state PFML requirements and provide eligible employees with benefits that provide partial wage replacement for qualifying family and medical reasons. Depending on the state program and employer plan design, benefits may include leave related to a serious health condition, pregnancy and childbirth, bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or other qualifying life events. Plan provisions, eligibility requirements, and benefits vary by state and employer.

Consider the Facts

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50 percent

Roughly half of all workers who take leave do so to manage their own serious health condition, while others take it to care for dying or critically ill family members.1

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3 out of 4

A Deloitte Insights study found that more than three-quarters of workers said paid family leave benefits could sway their choice of employer.2

Paid Family & Medical Leave Program FAQs

  • What can PFML be used for?

    PFML may be used for qualifying situations, which vary by state, such as:

    • Bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster placement)
    • Caring for a family member with a serious health condition
    • Taking time for your own non-work-related serious health condition
    • Addressing certain military-related family needs
    Parent smiling beside a young child as they look at a newborn baby resting in a car seat, symbolizing family, welcoming a new sibling, and newborn care. 
  • How much will I be paid while on leave?
    PFML typically provides a partial wage replacement benefit during your leave. The amount you receive depends on your average wages and the rules of your state’s PFML program.
  • Who provides and pays for PFML?
    PFML benefits are usually provided through a state program, employer plan, or insurance carrier, depending on the state. Funding may come from employee payroll contributions, employer contributions, or a combination of both, based on state requirements.
  • How do I get PFML?

    The first step is to check what’s available to you. PFML is usually provided through a state program, your employer, or an insurance plan, depending on where you live and work. Talking to your employer is a good place to start.

    You can:

    • Ask your HR department what PFML benefits are available
    • Find out if your employer participates in a state PFML program or offers a separate plan
    • Learn how to apply and what documentation is needed

Sources:

1. nationalpartnership.org/report/fmla-key-facts, “Key Facts: The Family and Medical Leave Act, 2026.

2. drexel.edu/hunger-free-center/research/briefs-and-reports/making-the-case-for-paid-family-leave, “Making the Case for Paid Family Leave,” 2023.