DC Paid Family Leave

Paid Family Leave is here!

Mission

The mission of the Office of Paid Family Leave (OPFL) is to plan, develop, and administer a paid leave program for the District of Columbia under the provisions of the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016.

On July 1, 2020, the District of Columbia began administering paid leave benefits. DC workers can now apply for paid family leave. The Paid Leave Act provides up to:

8 weeks to bond with a new child
6 weeks to care for a family member with a serious health condition
6 weeks to care for your own serious health condition

For inquiries regarding the Paid Family Leave program, please contact the Office of Paid Family Leave at [email protected] or visit our website dcpaidfamilyleave.dc.gov

Individuals that require assistance due to hearing impairment, please call 711 to access TTY services.

About the DC Office of Paid Family Leave

The DC Office of Paid Family Leave (OPFL) at the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) is working with employers and residents in the administration of the Paid Family Leave program. More information is available here.

Paid Family Leave Employee Notice

In compliance with labor laws, the Paid Family Leave Employee Notice should be displayed in your worksites with other labor law posters. Click here for the Paid Family Leave Employee Notice in all languages.

Paid Family Leave Final Benefits Regulations

The Director of the Department of Employment Services (DOES), pursuant to the authority set forth in the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016, effective April 7, 2017 (D.C. Law 21-264; D.C. Official Code § 32-541.01 et seq.) (the “Act”), and Mayor’s Order 2018-36, dated March 29, 2018, hereby gives notice of the intent to amend Title 7 (Employment Benefits) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) by adding a new Chapter 35 (Paid Leave Benefits). Click here to view the Paid Family Leave Final Benefits Regulations.

Paid Family Leave Final Tax Regulations

The Director of the Department of Employment Services (DOES), pursuant to the authority set forth in the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016, effective April 7, 2017 (D.C. Law 21-264; D.C. Official Code §§ 32-541.01 et seq. (2018 Supp.)) (the “Act”), and Mayor’s Order 2018-036, dated March 29, 2018, hereby gives notice of the intent to amend Title 7 (Employment Benefits) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) by adding a new Chapter 34 (Paid Leave Contributions). Click here to view the Paid Family Leave Final Tax Regulations.

What you need to know about paid family leave and taxes:

Benefits you receive under this program are taxable and included in your federal and District gross income. You will receive a Form 1099-G from the District reporting the payments you received during the year. If you are a non-District resident, please contact the appropriate state tax agency for guidance on taxability of benefits in your state.

Public Notice to District of Columbia Employers and Employees for Paid Family Leave

Notice of Tax Withholding Options
When registering for paid family leave benefits, you have the ability to decide if you would like estimated federal and/or District of Columbia income taxes withheld from your benefit amount. If you choose to withhold the federal tax, 10.00% of your weekly benefit amount will be deducted. If you are a District of Columbia resident and choose to withhold the District tax, 4.00% of your weekly benefit amount will be deducted. The amounts you choose to withhold will be transferred to the appropriate taxing authority on your behalf.

Please note, the option to withhold state income tax is available only to District residents. If you are not a District resident, please contact the appropriate tax agency of your state residence for information about requirements and options for paying estimated taxes.

Outreach & Engagement Events

PFL - Events

Thursday, October 28, 2021

PFL General Webinar

1:30 – 2:30pm

Resources

For Employees

PFL Multi-Language Documents For Employees

Frequently Asked Questions

Flyers

For Employers

Reports and Legislation

Paid Family Leave
Weekly Benefit Calculator

If you are eligible for Paid Family Leave in the District of Columbia, you may receive a weekly benefit amount which is based on your weekly wages.
The current maximum weekly benefit amount is $1,000.
The calculation will be based off of a minimum wage of $15.20 per hour.

The calculator below will provide you an estimate of your weekly benefit amount.

Enter your Average Weekly Wages:
(Gross wages, before taxes)

Your estimated Weekly Benefit Amount:

REMINDER: This benefit calculator only provides an estimate of your weekly benefit amount and does not guarantee the payment of paid leave benefits. Eligibility is determined once your claim has been processed and approved.

Paid Family Leave
Quarterly Tax Calculator

Private-sector employers in the District will pay a .62% tax beginning July 1, 2019, to fund the paid-leave benefit. The Paid Family Leave tax is 100% employer-funded and may not be deducted from a worker’s paycheck.

The calculator below will provide you with an estimate of your quarterly tax amount.

Enter your Quarterly Wages:
(Gross wages)

Your estimated Quarterly Tax Amount:
(Gross wages x .0062)

DISCLAIMER: This tax calculator only provides an estimate of your quarterly tax amount. Actual tax liability is not determined by this calculator. Liability is determined based on the wages that are submitted to the Office of Paid Family Leave.