Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Applications Open March 30

March 27, 2026

For Immediate Release: March 27, 2026

Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Applications Open March 30

While benefits begin May 1, the program will begin accepting applications on Monday.

MAINE - The Maine Department of Labor today announced a major milestone: beginning Monday, March 30, 2026, Mainers will be able to apply for benefits through the state's new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. While applications can be submitted beginning on Monday, leave must occur on or after May 1, 2026, in order to be approved.

"This program represents a major step forward for Maine's workers, families, and businesses," said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. "Paid Family and Medical Leave gives people time to care for themselves and their loved ones with some financial support, reducing stress and making leave more possible. When families are supported, workplaces and communities across Maine are stronger."

The Paid Family and Medical Leave program provides up to 12 weeks of benefits for key life events. Benefits are flexible and portable. Eligible leave can be for:

• Medical Leave: For times when a serious health condition keeps an individual from working.
• Parental Leave: Time to bond with a new child.
• Family Care Leave: Time to care for a loved one with a serious health condition.
• Military Family Leave: Time to prepare for a family member's deployment.
• Safe Leave: Time to find safety when an individual or a family member is the victim of abuse, violence, or sexual assault. PFML Resources for Workers and Employers

The Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave website, maine.gov/paidleave, has more information for workers who want to submit an application. The application and approval process will be administered by Aflac on behalf of the State of Maine.

When you visit maine.gov/paidleave you'll also find:

• An overview of Paid Family and Medical Leave and the different types of leave.
• Guidance on how to apply for benefits.
• Tips on how to manage a claim once submitted.
• A Benefit Estimator to help people estimate what their partial wage replacement benefits might look like while on leave.
• FAQs in multiple languages.
• Beginning on Monday, the link to the application and the number to call to apply by phone. To get the most up-to-date information and access to resources, individuals and businesses are encouraged to sign up for MDOL's Paid Family and Medical Leave 'Get Notified' List at maine.gov/paidleave.

Beyond helping workers, Paid Family and Medical Leave strengthens Maine's businesses by helping them to retain talent and stay competitive. Maine joins 13 other states and the District of Columbia that have enacted similar programs to support workers while ensuring employers can maintain a stable, skilled workforce.

Paid Family and Medical Leave at a Glance

The Paid Family and Medical Leave law went into effect in October 2023 and has been implemented by the Maine Department of Labor.

Since January 2025, both Maine workers and employers have helped to fund the program through a payroll contribution. For businesses with 15 or more employees, the contribution is 1% of wages, split evenly between the employee and employer (0.5% each. For smaller businesses with fewer than 15 employees, the total contribution is 0.5% and employers may withhold the full cost from their workers' paychecks. Self-employed workers can elect coverage for themselves by submitting their request through the Maine Paid Leave Contributions Portal and submitting contributions. Beyond providing critical financial support for workers, the program also helps strengthen Maines workforce. Paid Family and Medical Leave programs help employers improve retention and reduce turnover in the long run.