PFML status
Active PFML program
DC Universal Paid Leave
2026Active PFML program
District of Columbia Paid Leave
$1,190/week · 12 family weeks· Paid sick leave mandate.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
District of Columbia paid leave snapshot
Employer-funded Universal Paid Leave with up to 12 weeks (14 with prenatal). Weekly-max rank #9 (#1 = highest among all jurisdictions); family-weeks rank #8.
Max weekly
$1,190
Min $0
Family weeks
12
Combined cap 14
Employee premium
None
Employer-funded
Paid sick leave
Paid sick leave
DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size).
Compare District of Columbia with another state
Compare any two states
PFML weekly max, weeks, premiums, and paid sick leave mandates.
District of Columbia PFML program details
- Program
- DC Universal Paid Leave
- Wage replacement
- 9%
- Medical weeks
- 12
- Combined weeks max
- 14
- Premium payer
- Employer-funded
- Benefits timing
- Benefits available; employer-funded model.
- Wage base / premium note
- Employer payroll tax on covered wages (rate subject to Council updates).
Applies based on working time in DC; job protection may rely on other laws.
Example employee PFML premium
On $80,000 annual wages, a 0% employee rate models about $0 per year before wage-base caps and employer-size exemptions. Employer payroll tax on covered wages (rate subject to Council updates).
Key takeaways — District of Columbia paid leave
- District of Columbia PFML status: Active PFML program (DC Universal Paid Leave).
- Modeled weekly maximum $1,190 with about 12 family/bonding weeks and up to 12 medical weeks.
- Employees generally do not pay a PFML payroll premium; employers fund the program.
- Paid sick leave mandate. DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size).
- Ranks #9 on weekly max and #8 on family weeks among 51 jurisdictions (#1 = highest).
- Benefits available; employer-funded model.
- 8 other active PFML programs list a higher weekly maximum than District of Columbia in this table.
District of Columbia vs neighboring states
PFML status, weekly maxima, family weeks, and sick-leave mandates for states that share a border with District of Columbia.
Maryland
VirginiaDistrict of Columbia PFML at the weekly maximum
Illustrative totals if every week paid the modeled maximum. Most claimants receive less; waiting periods and offsets can reduce cash paid.
4 weeks at weekly max
$4,760
$1,190 × 4 wks
8 weeks at weekly max
$9,520
$1,190 × 8 wks
12 weeks at weekly max
$14,280
$1,190 × 12 wks
How to read this page
District of Columbia paid leave overview (2026)
Employer-funded Universal Paid Leave with up to 12 weeks (14 with prenatal).
Workers meeting District of Columbia program rules can claim partial wage replacement up to about $1,190 per week for qualifying family leave (roughly 9% replacement before caps). Applies based on working time in DC; job protection may rely on other laws.
Paid sick leave is tracked separately: DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size).
Premiums and benefits in District of Columbia
Modeled payroll shares: employee 0%, employer 0.75%. Employer payroll tax on covered wages (rate subject to Council updates).
At the weekly maximum for 12 weeks, a full family-leave claim could approach $14,280 before taxes and offsets—only if you qualify for the maximum for every week.
Job protection is not guaranteed by a cash benefit alone. Confirm whether FMLA, a state family-leave statute, or PFML restoration rules apply to your employer size and tenure.
Planning leave while working in District of Columbia
Map the reason for leave (bonding, family care, own serious health condition, safe leave) to the right program—PFML, disability, sick leave, or unpaid FMLA.
Ask payroll whether PFML premiums already appear on your pay stub and whether the employer uses a private plan.
If you live near a border, compare District of Columbia with Maryland, Virginia—PFML and sick-leave rules can change by work location.
Who this District of Columbia paid leave page helps
Useful if…
- •Employees in District of Columbia estimating bonding or caregiving wage replacement.
- •Managers budgeting backfill while someone is on PFML or sick leave.
- •Candidates weighing a District of Columbia offer against a neighboring state’s leave laws.
- •Workers checking whether a sick-leave mandate applies even without PFML.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an approved claim, private-plan exemption, or exact waiting period.
- •Your hours or employer size fall below statutory thresholds.
- •A city ordinance (not just statewide rules) governs your worksite.
- •You are self-employed and need opt-in PFML rules rather than employee coverage.
District of Columbia paid leave checklist
Quick steps before treating rankings as a claim or relocation decision.
- 1Confirm District of Columbia PFML status (Active PFML program) and benefit start timing.
- 2Estimate weekly pay using ~9% replacement capped at $1,190.
- 3Review sick/any-reason leave accrual: Paid sick leave mandate.
- 4Check pay stubs for PFML/SDI-style deductions and annual wage-base caps.
- 5Document FMLA eligibility separately if you need job protection.
- 6Compare District of Columbia with a peer state before relocating for leave benefits alone.
Related states for paid leave
New YorkActive PFML program · $1,229/wk · 12 wks
Compare District of Columbia vs New York →
MassachusettsActive PFML program · $1,230/wk · 12 wks
Compare District of Columbia vs Massachusetts →
New JerseyActive PFML program · $1,119/wk · 12 wks
Compare District of Columbia vs New Jersey →
ConnecticutActive PFML program · $1,016/wk · 12 wks
Compare District of Columbia vs Connecticut →District of Columbia paid leave FAQs
Active PFML program. Program: DC Universal Paid Leave. Benefits available; employer-funded model.
This guide models $1,190/week (minimum $0 where published) at roughly 9% wage replacement before caps.
About 12 family/bonding weeks in a benefit year, with up to 12 medical weeks where the program covers own serious health conditions (combined caps near 14 weeks).
Employees generally do not pay a PFML payroll premium; employers fund the program. Employer payroll tax on covered wages (rate subject to Council updates).
Paid sick leave mandate. DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size).
No. FMLA is unpaid. District of Columbia PFML benefits may replace a portion of wages during qualifying leave when you meet program rules.
Weekly-max rank #9 and family-weeks rank #8 in this 51-jurisdiction table (#1 = highest weeks/benefit). Employee-premium rank #1 (#1 = lower employee rate among programs).
Use the state labor/PFML agency for claims, premiums, and notices. This page is an educational comparison using 2026 chart values updated 2026-07-31.
At the modeled weekly maximum, 12 weeks would total about $14,280 before taxes and offsets. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
Usually only for short absences tied to illness, appointments, or safe leave—not full bonding leave. DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size). Use PFML (where active) or unpaid FMLA for multi-week bonding.
Nearby combined snapshots: Maryland (Enacted — benefits pending, $1,000/wk); Virginia (Voluntary insurance only). Open a compare page for side-by-side premiums and weeks.
Often yes under FMLA or state restoration rules if you remain eligible, but you may still owe your share of premiums. PFML cash benefits do not automatically equal benefit continuation—confirm with HR.
Not legal advice. Agency rules control claims, premiums, and job protection.