Here's How Connecticut Workers Can Apply For Paid Family Leave

CONNECTICUT – Connecticut workers can now access benefits under the state’s newly launched paid family and medical leave program, which provides wage replacement for those who need to take time away from work to address qualifying health or family concerns.

The program went into effect Jan. 1, and is administered by the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, a quasi-public state agency. It provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of benefits over a 12-month period. The program also provides two additional weeks of benefits for a serious health condition that results in incapacitation during pregnancy.

Residents eligible for benefits are those who earned at least $2,325 during their highest earning quarter within their base period, are private-sector employees or certain "covered public employees," were employed in the previous 12 weeks by a covered employer, or are sole proprietors or self-employed people who voluntarily enroll in the program.

The amount of income replacement varies based on a worker’s earnings and is capped at 60 times the state minimum wage, or $780/week.

The program is entirely employee-funded through a payroll deduction of 0.5 percent, which began on Jan. 1, 2021. The employee contributions are pooled into the Paid Leave Trust, which pays the paid leave benefit. The authority has partnered with Aflac to manage claims and administer benefits.

To file a claim, workers are encouraged to submit applications online, which is the fastest way to apply, by visiting ctpaidleave.org. Those who do not have access to the internet, or who have questions and would like to speak with an Aflac customer care advocate, can call the program’s toll-free hotline at 877-499-8606. Hours of operation for a live representative are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Qualifying reasons to apply for paid leave benefits include:

• To care for one’s own serious health condition (including serving as a bone marrow or organ donor, and pregnancy);
• To care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition, bonding with a new child (biological, adopted, or fostered);
• To address issues arising from family violence;
• To care for a military family member injured during federal active duty; or
• To address issues arising from a parent, spouse, or child’s call to federal active duty.

State Senator Julie Kushner, co-chair of the legislature's Labor and Public Employees Committee, said, "In 2022, young mothers won’t have to return to work immediately after giving birth, sons and daughters will be able to care for a parent at the end of life without risking their job, and there will be a financial cushion for people when a health crisis overwhelms the family."