DC Paid Family Leave Changes Take Effect October 1

The District's Paid Family Leave program that will reduce certain benefit durations and lower the maximum weekly benefit amount beginning October 1, 2026.

The District has enacted amendments to its Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act that affect claims filed on or after October 1. The changes are temporary in some cases, with family and medical leave benefits scheduled to return to their current levels in 2030.

Maximum Weekly Benefit Reduced

Beginning October 1, 2026, the maximum weekly Paid Family Leave benefit will decrease from $1,190 to $1,100 for claims filed on or after that date.

Claims filed before October 1 will remain subject to the current benefit rules.

Family and Medical Leave Durations Temporarily Reduced

For claims filed between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2030, eligible workers may receive:

• Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks, unchanged from current law
• Family leave: Up to 6 weeks, reduced from 12
• Medical leave: Up to 10 weeks, reduced from 12
• Pre-natal leave: Up to 2 weeks, unchanged from current law

Current benefit durations will continue to apply to claims filed before October 1, 2026.

Beginning October 1, 2030, family and medical leave benefits are scheduled to return to a maximum of 12 weeks.

What Employers Need to Know

Employers should review their leave policies, employee handbooks and Paid Family Leave communications before the October 1 effective date. Employee-facing materials should reflect the temporary reductions in family and medical leave as well as the new $1,100 maximum weekly benefit.