DC paid leave expands October 1

The DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Paid Family Leave (OPFL) is preparing to expand paid family leave (a.k.a. Universal Paid Leave or UPL) benefits to up to 12 weeks for parental, family, and medical leave now that the Office of the Chief Financial Officer has certified available funds for the program expansion.

The expanded leave will be effective October 1, 2022.

Currently, employees are entitled to take the PFL as follows:

• 2 weeks prenatal leave
• 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.

On October 1, employees will be entitled to take the PFL as follows:

• 12 weeks to bond with a new child.
• 12 weeks to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
• 12 weeks to care for your own serious health condition.
• An additional two weeks for prenatal care.

Please note that this program change does not affect previously approved or active claims.

The PFL tax rate is also being reduced to 0.26 percent. The rate change is effective for the quarter beginning July 1, 2022 (July 1 – September 30, 2022).

The first PFL tax payment at the 0.26 percent rate is due October 31, 2022, for wages paid to covered employees between July 1 and September 30, 2022.

More details are expected as the DOES moves forward with this change.